‘In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety.’
(Abraham Maslow)
Let’s go ahead and acknowledge a simple concept, change happens daily. It can be in your personal or professional life but either way, change has a place in your life. How you respond is completely up to you.
There have been times when the concept of change (personal or professional) was frightening. I can’t say change is my favorite aspect in life, but it can be leveraged to help Walk Into the Future.
Maslow’s quote above provides two options to utilize when faced with change. Stepping forward into the change process can provide a level of growth needed to accomplish the task at hand. Trusting yourself and understanding you have the tools to handle change will provide the foundation needed for growth. Adopting the change mindset can be a good thing and is an excellent way to overcome the potential fears normally associated with change. Look to leverage the positives when confronted with a change opportunity. There may be times when the prospect of a change can be viewed as a gift. Remember, Maslow identifies the possibility to grow with change. This growth mindset is the foundation needed to see the benefits change can bring.
Maslow provides an alternative to embracing change and it is to step back info safety. Playing it safe and not engaging the change opportunity can feel like the easier of the two options. Please note, this level of retreat may feel good now, but it will hinder growth (personal, professional, etc.). There are times human nature will make you hesitate when faced with change. You may want to retreat and not face the steps needed to implement change. This may appear to put off the prospect of a change action, but it does not. Change happens especially in the workplace, so why not look at the full change prospect and leveraging the positive (growth) aspects available.
I am an avid reader and a book recommended to me years ago was ‘Who Moved My Cheese’. Very interesting and quick read but the lessons extracted from this book can help generate a plan for growth when faced with change:
- Change happens
- Anticipate Change
- Monitor Change
- Adapt to Change Quickly
- Change (simple enough)
- Enjoy Change
- Be Ready to Change Quickly and Enjoy it Again
‘Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.’ (Carol Burnett)
I embraced the concept of change before embarking on my current Walk into The Future. There were times I talked myself out of ‘Moving my Cheese’ but embraced the growth aspects of change and started a new journey. I make daily adjustments on my walk but embraced the positives—no safety mindset for me!
‘Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being excited about what could go right.’ (Tony Robbins)
How do you view change? What steps can you take to embrace change and leverage it for growth?
References
Johnson, Spencer. (© 2002; 1998) Who moved my cheese? : An amazing way to deal with change in your work and in your life New York : Putnam.
Walk Into the Future 