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5 Steps For Handling Change
Glassdoor Team
Glassdoor Team | Author & Career Expert at Glassdoor | 2 Aug 2017
Change impacts us in many different ways and in all areas of our lives. Sometimes things are forced on us unexpectedly and sometimes we make the decision that things need to be different. Things change all the time.
One thing we can all be certain of in life is that things change!
When we are in control and instigate the change, it can be welcome and match our personal vision of our future. However, when someone else makes the decision and change is forced upon us – we can go through a range of emotions and experiences. It can make us feel unsettled, unsure of what to do next and sometimes even at a complete loss as to how to handle it!
The cycle
We all go through a cycle of emotions when change hits us – shock, denial, anger, negotiation, even depression, until we get to a stage of accepting the change and moving on. The speed, timing and how we deal with change, varies from person to person.
Take back control
If you think about it, when you are planning a change for yourself, then you work out what the change looks like and what action you need to take to get you to the end result. If someone else is forcing a change on you, it might not be what you want to happen, but the faster you come to terms with it and start taking control on the impact, then the quicker you will get through it and be able to move on in a more positive way.
The change is going to happen. When there is nothing you can do to stop it, the longer you try to drag it out by resisting the change, the worse it will be for you.
5 Steps:
So take back control and follow these 5 steps to get through the change cycle faster:
- Understand exactly what is changing. Ask questions and work out the impact on you.
- Write down the ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ of the change. This will allow you to come to terms with the impact.
- Set goals for yourself to minimise the ‘cons’ and maximise the ‘pros’. This will allow you to feel back in control as you can take positive action to minimise any negative impact.
- Visualise the steps you are going to take and what your future and outcome of the change looks like. If you have a vision of your future, then your unconscious brain will know what it is aiming for and will support you taking positive action to move forward.
- Take a deep breath and take action. Feel the fear and go for it! With every step you are moving forwards into your future.
Glassdoor Team
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