Change – You Can Handle It!

Part 4

      Effective tools to handle change well

By Wendy Collier, B. Ed.

Summary: Learn the 1 question you can ask yourself to help you get through the changes and transitions in your life from a place of power. 

The next time there is a change at work or in your personal life, pay attention to what your first thoughts are; what your first feelings of reaction are. Do your thoughts and feelings include surprise, shock, negativity or pain? Acknowledge these thoughts and feelings no matter how much you don’t like them.

These thoughts and feelings are normal for human beings. Once you acknowledge these, it actually takes the power out of them so you can reframe it. The sooner you can get a healthy perspective on it, the sooner you can focus on what you need to do to handle this change.

Then put yourself inside the other person’s point of reference and see the change from their point of view. You will then be able to relate to this situation from a place of power rather than a place of fear, anxiety, worry, anger and frustration.

For some people change is a good thing. They see it as a challenging and exciting part of life. And yes, sometimes it is okay for you to envy them for it. Then, I want you to see their approach as a goal for you to work towards. Notice the words they use, the behaviors they choose, the steps they take to make things work and choose to be more like that. It really is more of a choice than you realize.

Ask yourself this question when you are faced with a change: “What can I do to handle this change?” This will help you get through the changes and transitions in your life.

You will feel more empowered as you handle each new change because you will see that you CAN handle it!