Why change is a powerful force
Benjamin Franklin coined the phrase that in life “nothing is certain except death and taxes”. That was back in 1978, and one of the very few things we can be certain of in the 200-plus years since then is that the pace of change, and therefore uncertainty, has accelerated dramatically.
While change can take us firmly out of our comfort zone and leave us feeling insecure and disorientated, it’s important to realise that progress is impossible without change. In fact, change can be a potent force for the better, if handled correctly. To quote lifestyle guru and life coach Robin Sharma, “Change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end.” The thing to remember is that change can be exactly what you need – even if you don’t realise it in the beginning.
This blog post offers some useful strategies for dealing with change, such as:
- Plan ahead. If you know change is coming, do some contingency planning so that you have a framework in place for dealing with change when it happens.
- Reframe your thinking. A positive mindset can help you to deal with the challenges presented by change and help you to capitalise on the opportunities.
- Take time to reflect. Change inevitably comes with some form of loss, honour your feelings and take time to work through them so that you can truly let go.
- Strive to maintain some normalcy. Try and maintain a comforting routine while dealing with change. Go for a walk, visit a coffee shop, and try to stick to your normal sleeping, exercise and eating times.
- Create some comfort. Incorporate stress-relieving and enjoyable activities into your day.
- Count your blessings. An attitude of gratitude can quiet anxiety and act as a reset button for your mind.
Just as chameleons change their colours in response to threat or opportunity in their environment, businesses that continue to thrive over the long term are those that successfully embrace change by realising the inherent opportunity to use change to innovate and tap into new markets to stay relevant.
If change is inevitable, it makes sense to see it as a force for good that demands proactive and creative responses to achieve a “gorgeous” outcome.
Sadiyah Rasdien - Finance Director - Kyocera Document Solutions
