Change is the only Constant
Change requires an immense amount of trust. It requires that we trust in ourselves, those around us and something greater.
While change can be disorienting and confusing, change also serves a purpose- it keeps us, our workplace and our cultures vital and dynamic.
Change is only negative if you believe it is.
Change does not have to be chaotic, it’s when we resist change that it becomes stressful and disorienting. If our tendency is to avoid the discomfort of the unknown, cling to what we know (to create certainty) and push against progression, we prolong the destabilizing effects of change. During times of change, you may feel like you have no control. You may fear that everything will be taken from you. The truth is,
The only thing you can control is how you react.
You may be feeling overwhelmed right now, uncertain about the future. It’s this uncertainty that leads to stress.
Ever heard of VUCA? This acronym is widely used in change management processes and coaching through change. It stands for:
Volatility
Uncertainty
Complexity
Ambiguity
The presence of any one of these in a system (family, organization, community) can have a negative influence on those within it.
I believe that uncertainty has the biggest impact on stress- put a person or a team in a volatile (unpredictable) situation and tell them it’s going to last for 2 hours, they will handle it. Put them in an equally volatile situation and not tell them the timeline...people will break.
Much of our resiliency and ability to navigate a challenging situation comes from knowing that it is going to end. Throw uncertainty in the mix, we respond very differently.
What I tell clients and organizations experiencing change is this- in the short term, the biggest impact you can make in mitigating the stress for people in the system is this:
Give them certainty.
Certainty can be as simple as telling your team (or family):
“ I will be giving you an update at 1pm tomorrow”
“Our team will meet every Tuesday at 10 virtually for the next 3 weeks and then we will re-evaluate”
“Our family will have dinner together every night for the remainder of the week”
How will you create certainty for yourself and the people around you during times of change?
Remember, change is inevitable. You get to choose whether you embrace it or resist it. Learning what you have control over, and what you do not will lessen the pain.
PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
I encourage you to take time this week to reflect on and answer the following:
Practice #1: Connect to memories of positive change
Where has change been a positive force in your life?
What perspective did you have at the time that allowed you to embrace change/trust in the change that was happening?
Practice #2 : Reduce uncertainty and know where you have control
What can you control in your life right now?
Where can you create certainty?
Practice # 3: Keep it simple and don’t overload
We all have what is called “change capacity”, the ability to manage a certain number of changes at once. Know your limits and don’t take on more than is necessary. Remember, small steps will lead to big changes.
What can you reduce in your life right now to simplify.
What will you say yes?
What will you say no?
** Remember, these don’t have to be no/yes forever. Just for now. Put a timeline on these if you need to.
Practice #4: Build Hope
Refer to Hope in Uncertain Times and create a vision for what you want to be a reality.
Most of all, remember to be kind to yourself and to others during times of change and adversity.
We are all in this together.
