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. 

Hope in uncertain times

Many of you are experiencing unease, anxiety and overwhelm during these times of change, uncertainty and challenging events. 

Life is inherently uncertain and it’s when we attach our security and our happiness to our ability to control life, that we suffer.   

As we have heard many times before, 

“The only constant in life is change”.  

As a coach, I work with clients to decide how to navigate this truth each day.  

We have one of two options

1. Try to control every detail of our lives to create security

2. See change and uncertainty for its potential to create something new.  

It is in the second option, that Hope lives. 

It is those who have a strong sense of self, a belief in their ability to adapt to change and those who choose to “invite hope to stay” that navigate change and uncertainty with grace and strength.

You can move from feeling overwhelmed to standing in your strength and trusting in the strength of others by embracing hope. Hope is your source of power and strength. When paired with action, hope has the power to transform you and those around you. It will give you control over how each day unfolds.

As great Maya Angelou once said, 

“Hope and Fear Cannot occupy the same space. Invite one to stay” 

I encourage you to ask yourself, 

“What challenging and uncertain events have I navigated before?” 

Find proof that you have the ability to navigate this too.  Remember who you were in those difficult times and the strength you found to carry you through.   

“What was I hopeful for in those moments?” 

Vision is a powerful tool.  Focusing on what you want to create and surrounding yourself with people who also have an optimistic mindset will strengthen your sense of hope. 

Lastly, reflect on,

“What do I know for sure in THIS moment?” 

Bring yourself back to the now.  This is the moment you have control over.

My family loves me

My home is safe 

I have enough to eat 

My children are safe and well 

Good people working hard to make a difference 

I encourage you to take 10 minutes today and each day to reflect on these questions.  Feel your overwhelm dissipate as your feel your hope grow.

Remember to be kind to yourself and others - we are all in this together.