Change. Friend, not Foe.

Change is the new normal, and the speed at which things change is mind-blowing. We are constantly surrounded by change – be it at work or in our social environment.

This article examines WHY change is challenging and WHAT we can do to embrace change as a chance.

Why is change challenging?

When we say: “Come on, – move on!” we ask a person to let go of something familiar and embrace something new. 

The effects of not letting go and not embracing change can range from denial, frustration, anger and inflexibility to depression and isolation.  

So, what can you do to become better at embracing change? 

The psychiatrist Elizabeth Kuebler-Ross published 1969 her observations on 5 emotional stages that her patients experienced when faced with situations of change. This model has since been expanded to 7 emotional stages and has become a generic framework known as the Kuebler-Ross Model or Curve.

https://www.cleverism.com/understanding-kubler-ross-change-curve/

The 7 emotional stages are: Shock, Denial, Frustration, Depression, Experiment, Decision and Integration.

For change to happen, most of us move through these emotional stages. Some people require more time for this than others which is OK and part of human nature. 

Concerns arise when a person gets ‘stuck’ in a stage and struggles to move on to the next one. This can relate to both that person as an individual and the impact he/she has as a member of a community (work, family, social environment). Tell-tale signs can include changes in behaviour like increased anger, aggression, disengagement or decreased motivation.

 WHAT can be done to embrace change

When negative emotions, language and/or behaviour start to impact you – a first step towards mitigating them is by being honest with yourself. Recognising that these negative emotions have developed opens the door for taking action to remove them. 

The second step is to take action.  

Coaching provides a confidential and safe space to identify WHAT holds us back. It also helps to find ways HOW to shift these barriers and the negative thoughts and the behaviour they cause.  

BENEFITS of embracing Change as a Friend

By identifying and removing the trigger points for being stuck, we move from a negative mindset to a positive one.

A positive mindset enables us to accept change and be open to the opportunities change can bear (change = chance). 

Consequently, embracing change in a positive light has far-reaching positive consequences on our health and personal development. It broadens our ability to enjoy life in an ever-changing environment by not clinging to the past. Instead, it helps us be more open to learning and adapting to new things.