Fall is here. It is my favorite time of year. The season of change. I love seeing the leaves turn color. I see autumn as an invitation to look inside and embrace the energy of change that’s all around me. I am in the business of change year-round. As a career and executive coach, I am a catalyst for change. I help my clients move from where they currently are to where they want to be. I support them through the transition process in a methodical, actionable and accountable way. Change can be difficult and daunting. My job is to positively shape my clients’ experience and inject energy and excitement into the daily grind. Yes, you can say I am a change expert. Now, does that make it easy for me to put knowledge into practice when coping with unwanted changes? The truth is that change is hard; even making small changes is not easy.
I was put to the test recently when my hot yoga studio cancelled the heat in all classes for two weeks. There was no advance notice, nor modular implementation. One day I showed up for class to learn practice would be heat-less until further notice. I absolutely couldn’t wrap my head around that. Taking the heat out of hot yoga is like taking the heat out of a spicy chili. What’s the point? Now, I recognize that in the grand scheme of things, “cold” yoga is not a big life change. But it felt major to me. I was very upset. You see, the heat helps loosen my muscles, intensify my workouts, energize me, and uplift my spirit. With no heat, my yoga practice became lackluster. I lost my mojo. In desperation, I launched a campaign to bring the heat back. At the same time, I accepted that I needed to find new classes and looked for alternatives. I am glad to report that by now the heat is back in my old classes, and I’ve added some exciting new classes to my weekly workout schedule. But this recent experience brought the issue of managing change to the forefront. Change has always been an inevitable part of life. When there’s a change in our familiar routine or schedule, the uncertainty of a “new” normal can create stress and anxiety. However, when managed effectively, breaking out of daily routines can also be a powerful way to unlock new opportunities, both personally and professionally.
The following 5 strategies have allowed me to successfully navigate change through my recent yoga practice crisis, but more importantly, thorough out my life and career journey. I believe these strategies are applicable to any change, big or small, personal or professional, and whether forced upon you or self-driven.
1. Acknowledge & Accept
Once you acknowledge that nothing stays the same forever, you can accept change and allow yourself to relax into it as a natural part of the human experience. In turn, accepting change as a chance at new possibilities is the key to unlock opportunities you may not have been aware of before.
2. Appreciate & (feel) Awe
Adopt an optimistic outlook and a positive attitude. Choosing to approach change with appreciation and awe is a gift to yourself and to the people around you. When you are grateful for what you have and curious as to what’s next you can take control of the situation and drive toward your desired outcomes.
3. Adjust & Adapt
To thrive through change, you must first make adjustments. Make the changes that would allow you to adapt to the changing circumstances. When faced with change, yell “Plot Twist” and start exercising your mental flexibility. The more flexible you are, the further you can reach, and the further you will go.
4. Absorb & Act
Of course, change will inevitably involve learning. As change occurs, begin to absorb new information. However, you cannot just think your way into a new and better tomorrow; you have to act your way into creating the future you want. You have to put knowledge into practice. The only way to make progress is through intentional actions.
5. Accelerate & Actualize
The only way to accelerate success (to achieve your desired outcomes) is to accelerate your efforts. Put in the time and hard work to activate and actualize your potential. When you dare to break free from the status quo and get out of the comfort zone, you unlock a world of endless possibilities to improve and grow.
We are not naturally inclined to try new things because the unfamiliar is often scary. Change forces us to try new things and find new ways to do things. Change equals self-improvement. It is an opportunity to test our limits and push ourselves to the next level. This is how we grow and learn. It is the only way to fully develop our capabilities and reach new heights.
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