Change! The definition being to make or become different; alter; to replace with or exchange for another to change; to transform or convert or to be transformed or converted.
Most of us resist change, particularly if we aren’t in control or part of that change process. There are some of us who embrace change and see change as being an opportunity rather than a nuisance.
If we aren’t prepared for change then how can we embrace it with confidence?
There’s a lot to be said about staying put, remaining in our little cocoon, our comfort zone, safe, or appearing safe. However, we aren’t standing-still are we? We are going backwards because most other people are changing and moving forward.
You may feel we don’t really have a choice, change is inevitable and we have to think positively about change itself, how we might change and how this might affect us, during the process and after we’ve made the change, even if we fail along the way. And remember, FAIL is the first attempt in learning!
We can help ourselves by talking to others who have gone through the change process. This can help us address any concerns or fears we might have enabling us to make those first steps in making the changes we want in ourselves or our business.
Let’s look at what the change process might look like:
- The Status
Quo – staying as we are; this is the first
stage, because if we don’t change then we remain static, not learning, not
growing, not taking chances or risks or learning from our mistakes
- Considering
Change – before any change takes
place, we begin considering change, we think about it constantly, fearing what
may happen if we do, or getting excited about the prospect, but not actually
doing anything at all
- Grabbing
the Opportunity –
deciding whether we are going to follow a path or blaze a trail, deciding to
step out of our comfort zone into the unknown seeking new opportunities and
whatever they may bring is the first step to making the change
- Confusion
and Practice – often this
next stage is bewilderment, a feeling of being unsettled and being in a limbo
state. It may feel strange and scary and not ‘normal’ and in some cases could
feel difficult and uncomfortable. Like anything new this is normal
- New Status Quo – once we’ve gone through the above steps we then develop our ‘new normal’ our new status quo – you have become comfortable and content with where you are now, having developed your own ‘changing room’
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