Four Tips to Embrace Change
Posted on November 05, 2014 by Elana Brazile, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
So often, we fight changes we cannot halt. We make our journey more stressful and less enjoyable than it need be.
I remember when my son was half-way through pre-kindergarten. With tears streaming down his face, he clung to me in fear one night at bedtime. When I asked him what was wrong, he explained he didn’t want to go to kindergarten the next school year. He shared that he was afraid he wouldn’t be ready. I tried to explain to him that when the time came, he would be ready. He still had a lot of time before then.
My words of comfort and reassurance were met with his explosive was met with his explosive sob, “Nooo, I won’t!”
So often, we – like my young son – fight changes we cannot halt. We make our journey more stressful and less enjoyable than it need be. When I have found myself struggling to accept the shifts that are a part of life, I have found the following helpful.
- Calm Your Mind
I don’t know about you, but when I first encounter a major change, my mind is racing. “How am I going to get through this?” “What am I going to do?” “I like things the way the are! Why does it have to change?” Only a few of the thoughts that can be find tearing up the race course of your mind.
You will have to calm my mind – the sense of panic and impending doom. Deep breathing exercises and walks in nature are often a good place to start the process. Then start looking through your past, reviewing all the times you have successfully navigated other transitions. Much like the process I shared in Building Triumph from Triumph.
Gradually, the fear, the panic subside and you can start working through the process.
- Determine Your Ability to Control
When change comes into our lives uninvited, one of the biggest things I wrestle with is the lack of control I feel. Over time, I have learned that nothing is completely out of my control. Understanding the Spheres of Control, helps break the situation down so I can see how I can affect some control.
First, take a look at what things in the situation are under your control.
For example, when I was struggling with the fact that I was suddenly a single mother, I found there was plenty I could control. My choices dictated how my money was spent. I could control where we lived. I determined who my son and I befriended.
Next, figure out what you can influence.
I can’t control when my son sees his father or how much he sees him; however, I can influence the situation. I can’t dictate the terms of our divorce, but I can influence the outcome by advocating for myself and what I feel to be in my son’s best interest.
Finally, look at what you can’t control or influence. One of the biggest pieces of the equation I couldn’t control was my ex-husband. His behaviors and attitudes were completely under his own control. These I had to let go of.
- Take It A Step at A Time
Once you know what you can control or influence, start breaking it to a step-by-step course of action. Start with those things that you control and then move on to those things you can influence.
One of the biggest acts of reclaiming my control was to sit down with my son and created a spending plan. Our plan ensured our bills were payed and built in some room for play. We experienced a huge triumph when we saved up and were able to take a weekend trip to the Oregon beach.
- Embrace the Change
I know this own is easier said than done, but it is possible. Every change has silver linings, start by looking for them. The ones you notice at first will most likely be small. Just make sure to acknowledge them and keep looking for the good.
When we first moved into our own apartment, I was terrified. I didn’t know what would happen next. And I knew that just after leaving is when a victim of domestic violence is at the highest risk. Gradually I began to feel a sense of freedom. When ever I doubted I had made the right choice, I would get in touch with those feelings and bask in that wonderful, hard earned freedom. Now, three years out, I would have to say that becoming a single mother has been one of the best things to happen. Not just for me, but also for my son.
My son is now in the seventh grade. And over the years, these battles have become less intense and fewer in number. He is learning to to trust himself. He’s built a track record of successfully navigating change. A few weeks ago, he gleefully shared with me how he’s looking forward to going into high school in two years. My son has learned to embrace change.
