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| Organizing solutions for your work, home and life! |
| Copyright © 2006 Organized Visions. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy |
| The Season of Change |
Change is always upon us.
A new job, a new home, a loss of a loved one, these are all different change agents planned or
unplanned that can impact your life. How you respond to change is a function of how you feel
about change. Understanding why you respond the way you do will help you be prepared
when the season of change is upon you.
When things happen unexpectedly do you:
These are all legitimate responses to change that are defined by your personality. Use your
available resources to learn more about your change management style and figure out what's
the best way for you to cope with change. Here are a few tips and suggestions that might
help you figure out how you can better manage change in your life.
1. Start with outside reading.
There's a great book that really helped me develop a new perspective on change.
It's called by Dr. Spencer Johnson.
It tells the story of four beings that live in a maze: Sniff and Scurry who are non analytical and
nonjudgmental mice, who just want their cheese and are willing to do whatever it takes to get
it. Hem and Haw are mouse-size humans who view the cheese as not just their sustenance, but
also their self-image. As you read the story, you may identify more with Sniff and Scurry or
with Hem and Haw and be able to apply the lessons to your career, health, relationships or
family situations. The point of the story is to show you how to be aware of changes in your
cheese and learn to adapt and find new ways to get more.
2. List the Pros & Cons.
How do you know what's to like or dislike if you haven't considered everything?
Listing out the positives and negatives of the new change element can help you get perspective
on your new circumstances. Take it one step further and try to write down how you feel
about each thing. Be honest with yourself. It's a test of how deep inside you can look to get to
the source of what's bothering you.
3. Identify the source of your feelings.
So now you know the pros, cons and how you feel about them. Pull your feelings apart and
try to figure out why you feel that way.
It's a tough exercise, but an absolutely valuable one. If you're feeling unsure about the change
(like a new job function) is it because you don't feel you have the necessary skills to get the job
done? If that's the case, you've identified an opportunity to seek training to help make you
better prepared for the new role.
4. Is there any part of the change that you can control?
We're usually resistant to change when it's out of our hands. Getting a grasp on what is in
your control can help make the change pill an easier one to swallow.
Look for your chance to affect what's happening around you. Is it possible to be a part of the
committee that has to implement the new change? Can you be the person that identifies where
the team goes next? Being a part of change makes it easier for you to own it and feel less
threatened by new circumstances.
5. Talk about it.
Talking with your peers or family members can help you wade through the waters of
change. But be careful...too much negative chatter will make it harder for you to accept it.
Seeking the opinion of others can help you sort out the way you feel about the change in your
surroundings. Use these opinions as references and resources to see things in a new light. A
trusted peer's positive take on things can help you be more accepting. A negative view point
can also be helpful if you've got blinders on. Just make sure you take everything with a grain
of salt and find your own position that you can live comfortably with.
6. Wait it out.
There's nothing wrong with giving the dust a chance to settle.
Responding too quickly or rashly can take away your chance to put a positive spin on a new
role or opportunity. Giving yourself room to analyze and accept the change and its impact on
your situation is recommended. Remember acting in haste often leads to repenting in leisure.
Things might not be as bad as you think they are once you get used to it.
Change is something that's pretty much guaranteed. There's not always much that you can
do to control it, but you can always look for ways to control your reaction to change.
A new job, a new home, a loss of a loved one, these are all different change agents planned or
unplanned that can impact your life. How you respond to change is a function of how you feel
about change. Understanding why you respond the way you do will help you be prepared
when the season of change is upon you.
When things happen unexpectedly do you:
- Freak out and say "What Now?"
- View it as a whole new experience and jump in feet first?
- Wait it out to see if it goes back to normal?
These are all legitimate responses to change that are defined by your personality. Use your
available resources to learn more about your change management style and figure out what's
the best way for you to cope with change. Here are a few tips and suggestions that might
help you figure out how you can better manage change in your life.
1. Start with outside reading.
There's a great book that really helped me develop a new perspective on change.
It's called by Dr. Spencer Johnson.
It tells the story of four beings that live in a maze: Sniff and Scurry who are non analytical and
nonjudgmental mice, who just want their cheese and are willing to do whatever it takes to get
it. Hem and Haw are mouse-size humans who view the cheese as not just their sustenance, but
also their self-image. As you read the story, you may identify more with Sniff and Scurry or
with Hem and Haw and be able to apply the lessons to your career, health, relationships or
family situations. The point of the story is to show you how to be aware of changes in your
cheese and learn to adapt and find new ways to get more.
2. List the Pros & Cons.
How do you know what's to like or dislike if you haven't considered everything?
Listing out the positives and negatives of the new change element can help you get perspective
on your new circumstances. Take it one step further and try to write down how you feel
about each thing. Be honest with yourself. It's a test of how deep inside you can look to get to
the source of what's bothering you.
3. Identify the source of your feelings.
So now you know the pros, cons and how you feel about them. Pull your feelings apart and
try to figure out why you feel that way.
It's a tough exercise, but an absolutely valuable one. If you're feeling unsure about the change
(like a new job function) is it because you don't feel you have the necessary skills to get the job
done? If that's the case, you've identified an opportunity to seek training to help make you
better prepared for the new role.
4. Is there any part of the change that you can control?
We're usually resistant to change when it's out of our hands. Getting a grasp on what is in
your control can help make the change pill an easier one to swallow.
Look for your chance to affect what's happening around you. Is it possible to be a part of the
committee that has to implement the new change? Can you be the person that identifies where
the team goes next? Being a part of change makes it easier for you to own it and feel less
threatened by new circumstances.
5. Talk about it.
Talking with your peers or family members can help you wade through the waters of
change. But be careful...too much negative chatter will make it harder for you to accept it.
Seeking the opinion of others can help you sort out the way you feel about the change in your
surroundings. Use these opinions as references and resources to see things in a new light. A
trusted peer's positive take on things can help you be more accepting. A negative view point
can also be helpful if you've got blinders on. Just make sure you take everything with a grain
of salt and find your own position that you can live comfortably with.
6. Wait it out.
There's nothing wrong with giving the dust a chance to settle.
Responding too quickly or rashly can take away your chance to put a positive spin on a new
role or opportunity. Giving yourself room to analyze and accept the change and its impact on
your situation is recommended. Remember acting in haste often leads to repenting in leisure.
Things might not be as bad as you think they are once you get used to it.
Change is something that's pretty much guaranteed. There's not always much that you can
do to control it, but you can always look for ways to control your reaction to change.
