Change is good. And it’s also inevitable.
At some point, we’ll all experience some degree of change in our personal and professional lives. But, managing those transitions is something that some of us seem to be better at than others.
As a person who has weathered a few transitional storms, here’s what I can share:
I’m currently embracing—even enjoying—the latest transitions in my life. My wife and I have recently gone from a full house to an empty nest; and I’ve found myself evolving from a being a dad to also serving as a mentor and advisor for my two grown sons who are getting started in their careers.
In my job, I used to be a sales rep who worked to anticipate and troubleshoot for my customers, and then provide solutions to help them increase revenue, save time, gain market share, and so on. Now, I’ve transitioned into the role of manager and sometimes, cheerleader: I coach our sales force at Shamrock about how to create that same value for our customers.
Over the years, I’ve also had to navigate and respond to the velocity of change in business based on ever-changing technology. It’s something that we’ve all had to accept and adopt—or be woefully left behind.
These are some of the changes that I’ve experienced firsthand; and I’ve learned that to successfully manage and navigate transitions like these, there’s no secret sauce. There’s no roadmap that expertly guides you to the other side of change.
However, I have found that controlling my mindset has really helped me turn life’s challenges and transitions into opportunities for growth.
Here are a few of my personal tips for turning life’s challenges into opportunities:
Incorporate a daily focus.
Carve time out of your day, every day, to focus on exactly where you’re at: Be present. For me, my daily routine involves reading from scripture and reflecting in prayer; for you, it might be meditating or practicing yoga. Using that quiet time to tune into what’s on your mind and in your heart is a great way to center yourself.
Practice gratitude.
It’s been proven that spending five minutes a day (or just five minutes a week) keeping a gratitude journal can make us so much happier. Scientists have found that journaling not only makes us more optimistic, it helps improve sleep, strengthen our emotions and reduce stress. Particularly during times of change, this practice can help you eliminate the noise and focus on the good stuff.
Revisit personal goals.
At the beginning of every year, I choose three words to focus on during the upcoming 12 months. My words for 2019: kind, positive and resilient. As I am faced with change in my personal and/or business life, these are words that I circle back to: How am I responding? How can I create positive outcomes? Are my actions in line with my goals?
These are three simple practices that I’ve found to be helpful in weathering change and keeping myself aligned with the thoughts and things that are most important in my life.
What tips would you add to that list? I’d really like your feedback.
