Managing Change Effectively is a Mindset
How to View Change Differently for Positive Outcomes
Nov 12, 2009
“Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.” ~King Whitney Jr.
In any life change, whether it’s a job loss, getting a divorce, moving to a new city, being a new mom or buying a new home, people are challenged to become less fearful and doubtful and more compassionate, hopeful, patient, strong, and resilient. When a person becomes these things, his or her perspective changes as a result, which is so eloquently communicated in the quote above. As people call upon better ways of being in response to a life change, a shift occurs where change can be viewed as less threatening and can even be embraced.
Take for example, a job loss, which millions of people have experienced in this tough economy. Initially, a job loss is not a good change. First, it’s a blow to self-confidence and then can present all kinds of fears such as not being able to pay bills and the possibility of a foreclosure. If when people lose their jobs, once things settle emotionally, they can look at this work change with fresh eyes, instead of through negative thoughts, then a positive outcome becomes more likely. The reason is because this fresh eye or new way of thinking can reveal opportunities to become more authentic, open up new possibilities for life and career, and strengthen one’s ability to conquer challenges. When people are bogged down in negativity the road becomes more narrow and less passable, creating less prospects.
These points below can help change a person’s view on change:
A New and Better Life Will Come
Change expert Ariane de Bonvoisin in her book, The First 30 Days: Your Guide to Any Change says, “Every change has a gift associated with it. While it’s natural to find change hard, it’s important to remember that there are two sides to every coin and that something positive will always come.”
Changes can present opportunities for a new and better life. If a person is in a bad relationship and musters up the courage to leave, life improves, no doubt. In some cases though, the good is harder to see, especially when it’s a change that didn’t happen by choice. For example, when a person is abandoned by a loved one, it’s hard to think of the positive in this change. But if, after grieving the loss, the person can begin to see something good that can come out of it, then his or her spirit is lifted. Eventually, the person may discover that the abandonment put him or her on a path of self-discovery leading to a better career and/or relationship, and life became more fulfilling and joyful.
The good might not be evident right away, but a person's unwavering hope and faith will reveal it in time.
Look for Life Lessons
Most change comes with a life lesson. A question to ask oneself when a change occurs is, “What lesson did this change want to reveal to me?” In other words, a person needs to access his or her inner wisdom to see if the change resulted from unconscious behavior, or perhaps the universe is saying that time is better spent elsewhere, or in another direction more suited to him or her.
How many changes have there been where people, years later, reflect on the change as a turning point in life, a time of great revelation and a fresh start. A lesson may be there, a person just needs to take a deeper look.
Time for an Authentic Life
In a change, there could be a begging question, which is, “Am I living an authentic life?” or “Am I being who I really am?” All too often, people go about life not choosing what they are currently doing or who they want to be. Their choices are not based on their desires, skills, talents, values, and passions so they are not happy.
Any change can become an opportunity to become more of oneself, to now redirect life in a way that’s more suitable. Living authentically is the absolute key to a life well-lived, filled with meaning and purpose.
Become More Virtuous for Success
Faith, hope, perseverance, and resilience are all necessary virtues to practice during a change. When we practice virtues, we build the “virtuous person” muscle. As a result of this practice, we become better people, more virtuous people. We also train the mind to focus more on positive attributes rather than negative ones.
By becoming more virtuous people means better relationships, more successful careers, stronger families and communities, and better lives overall. But, most importantly, people become their personal best, which means they are better equipped to handle change, bounce back from it, forge ahead, and live more extraordinary lives.
For inspiration and expert advice in managing any change in life, visit www.first30days.com.
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