By Books Author Denise Turney
Don’t you think it’s time to adjust to change with grace? After all, looking at approaching change through the lens of goodness could prepare you for real success.
Albert Einstein is quoted as sharing, “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” This world will give you lots of practice at adjusting to change, whether or not you cause the shift. Change is certain. If you pause and consider it, you’ll see that change happens all the time in this world. But here’s the thing. You’re experiencing change even if your body’s eyes can’t see it. Those pimples, wrinkles, expanding chests, grey hairs and achy joints that reveal themselves during adulthood don’t just show up.
Adjust To These Changes
Akin to a seed germinating underground, changes occur while it seems like nothing is shifting. You don’t have to be obsessed about your physical appearance to be shaken when your hair grays, you spot pimples on your face, you gain weight, your voice deepens or your skin starts to sag. Even absent bodily obsession, you’ll have to adjust to these changes.
And, it might not always be easy. As a first step, consider how you felt, thought and behaved before you knew that change was happening. Did you experience fear? Were you struggling with hopelessness, anger or stress? Or were you going about your days as if nothing new was up?
Raising this point to show that change may not be what shakes you. After all, if you don’t get upset while the seed is germinating (in the process of creating great change), could it really be the revelation (actually becoming aware of the change that was taking place below the surface) that spins you into fear, excitement, depression, anger or hopefulness?
Spot the Humor in Change
So, consider what may really be causing upset that you experience. To adjust to change, also accept what has occurred. This applies whether you’re experiencing change due to an organizational realignment at work, a home move, becoming a parent, getting married or aging. Encourage yourself with the truth that you can adapt to the change.
As Harvard Business Review shares, also spot the humor in the shift. Specifically, “Trying to find a funny moment during an otherwise unfunny situation can be a fantastic way to create the levity needed to see a vexing problem from a new perspective.” Even more, sometimes looking for humor in the change helps others to feel better about the change too.
Seek Good Solutions
Next, seek solutions. For example, you might set aside time to review what caused the change if the change produced negative results. Following that, you could start writing down actions that you could take to avoid experiencing or causing a similar outcome again.
Of course, the same applies if the change is good and you want to repeat it. What you don’t want to do is focus tirelessly on emotions that you experienced after you noticed the change. In fact, Harvard Business Review shares that, “research shows that actively and repeatedly broadcasting negative emotions hinders our natural adaptation processes.”
On the other hand, don’t dismiss emotions. Talk about what you’re feeling. Just don’t stop there. Map out specific actions that you will take to enjoy experiences that you truly want. These are experiences that cause you to feel peace, loved and joy.
What You Can Do
And, take account of what you can do. Spending too much time being upset that someone else hasn’t changed or being upset about an organizational, family, community or cultural shift could cause you to feel stuck. It could also take your sight off of the most important factor, the most vital key, in your environment – YOU. Leo Tolstoy said it well when he said, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
To adjust to change with grace and goodness, accept that any type of change could create stress. This happens, in part, because change can shift your perception of who or what you are? Depending on the change, it could also shift what you had long believed that you were capable of.
There are also times when change shifts what you had long believed that you wanted to do with your life. In those instances, change can feel like a loss. It could feel like you have to start over, building anew. This raises another way to adjust to change with grace and goodness.
Build and Strengthen Confidence
Build and strengthen your confidence. You can do this by practicing daily self-love techniques. Make it a daily practice to do what it takes to prove that you do, in fact, love yourself. As mentioned in the book, Awaken Blessings of Inner Love: Shortcuts to Self-Love and Success In A Busy World, proving that you love yourself (only you can do this), is a great confidence booster.
Confidence works like a good energy. It fuels your efforts to do what it takes to move toward good change. While you’re adapting to change, keep anchors in your life. Anchors are activities that you do each day. Examples of anchors include meditating in the morning, going for a walk outside during midday and reading a good book in the evening.
Psychology Today shares, “The more change that is happening, the more important it is to stick to your regular schedule—as much as possible. Having some things that stay the same, like walking the dog every morning at 8 am, gives us an anchor.”
Shift Away from Trying to Figure Things Out
Writing in a journal can also help you to adapt to change. Why? While writing, you can increase neural activity in your brain. It’s also important to get enough exercise, drink plenty of fresh water and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Also, take breaks and set times when you free yourself from worrying or trying to figure things out. For instance, you could tell yourself that you won’t try to figure out how you’re going to complete a rush project after 6pm each day. Top it off by telling yourself that you won’t focus on the project one entire day during the weekend.
Should you start to drift into worrying about the project, remind yourself of your promise and stop. Instead, focus on three things that you are thankful for. Write someone an appreciation note. Call a friend. Play with a pet. There are boundless things that you can do in place of worrying.
Adjust to Change with Grace and Goodness
As you adjust to change with grace and goodness, it may also help to read life changing quotes about change. See if these resonate with you.
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” -Maya Angelou and “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” -Jimmy Dean. Finally, consider, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new” -Socrates
