As Carol Adrienne writes in her book
When Life Changes - Or You Wish it Would,
'Life is not quite the same as it was. But then, it never really is. The pace of change seems to be picking up'.
If at the start of the New Year instead of feeling hopeful and optimistic, life is starting to resemble shifting sands and the familiar comfort of your known world is in danger of becoming unpredictable and chaotic then don't panic too soon.
Change in life is inevitable, whether it is starting or leaving education, getting married, experiencing loss, or changing jobs. Nothing stays the same for ever. It is the fear of the unknown that makes us resist change and want to hold onto the comfort of what we know. Ultimately this paralyses our ability to make choices, take decisions and spot opportunities or possibilities.
Being prepared for change involves flexibility, self belief and strength of purpose. Here are some ideas we have devised to help you manage change powerfully and purposefully.
1. Be prepared. Life is full of unexpected surprises. It pays to accept this as a reality and plan for changes in your life whether this is learning a new skill, downshifting or changing jobs. The ostrich approach isn't viable.
2. Take control. Ultimately you can only control or change yourself (Oh, how we wish we could change others!) When you know this and put it into action it will create a strong sense of self empowerment. Then anything becomes possible.
3. Be purposeful. Having a strong purpose or direction in life will act as an important anchor. Whatever obstacles appear you will be able to navigate around using your overall direction or destination as your personal compass. How do you want the next 5 years to look?
4. Look for the silver lining. Once any feelings of shock, despair or anger pass look for the possibilities that open up. This might be a golden opportunity to reflect on your overall purpose and direction and follow any long held dreams.
5. Seek out support. When the scale or nature of the change is more than you can deal with on your own seek out others to guide, advise and support you whether colleagues, friends, family, mentors or coaches.
6. Remember, even this will pass. Even the most catastrophic eventuality will be history some day.
7. Look back to the past and see how good has come from change. You have survived life's knock backs. You will do so again.
8. Don't get into the blame game. Blaming others or turning in on yourself is a no-win path to despair.
9. Take responsibility and deal with life head on. Two things that are guaranteed to make you feel good instantly are exercise and helping others. One is good for the body, the other the soul.
10. Have a goal and set your intention to achieve it. Break it down into baby steps and pretty soon they will become giant leaps.
Facing change can sometimes be a difficult, confusing and challenging process for all concerned yet it can often lead ultimately to a much more exciting and rewarding future.
What a difference a year makes! We aren't so much leaping into 2009 as creeping with trepidation and fear. Never before has the heralding of a new 12 month period been met with so much fear, anxiety and gloom. Some blame the media for spreading the bad news but there's not one of us who won't be affected by the downturn in the economy; even if you never read another paper or watched the news again.