Recognise the emotions you have are in response to change.
Fear, anxiety, frustration, despair, anger and excitement; all are emotions associated with change. It is OK to feel some, or all, and many other emotions besides when it comes to change.
Understand what change is happening.
Only when we really understand the change can we start to control our response to change, which may tactically include some railing against the change to see how weak the proponents of change are. We may find, however, that the change is not what we thought and that a much less exuberant approach is warranted.
Reflect on other change you have gone through.
If we do accurately know what the change entails and we are still afraid or angry or otherwise upset about the possible outcomes, then it pays us to reflect on previous change. Did I find a way though it? Was it ever as bad as it seemed at the time? And if it was did, I find a way with my friends and family to move on? The answers to those questions give you some confidence there will be a way of getting through the change.
Determine what change you want to happen.
When change is thrust upon you there is not the luxury time you can afford yourself compared with change you have planned yourself. However, the principles of planning for change are still valid. After getting over the initial shock and making sure you understand what the change is about, it is time to begin to wrest back control.
Find a supporter.
Sometimes it helps to have support, someone you trust to give reasoned advice, or more appropriately, to challenge your rationale for doing things by asking penetrating open questions. They will also have a knack of asking defining closed questions to get you to commit to an action.
Recognise your choices.
When change is thrust upon us there is much we cannot control. Or so it appears at first glance. There is a myriad of choices which are under our control. The only thing not under our control may be the initial announcement but you can control your response.
Plan small steps
Once you know what you really want to do in response to change which has been imposed upon you, plan your next steps. If you are not used to change, plan in small steps for a short time ahead. You will feel better because you will see progress and any setbacks will be seen more as one step out of ten that did not go right.
If at first you do not succeed ?.
If your plan of many small steps hits that metaphorical bump in the road, don’t despair. It is one small setback amongst a wide range of activities you are undertaking. Regroup and re-plan and try again.
Celebrate small wins.
Take time to celebrate your wins as you execute your plan in response to the imposed change. Look back at where you came from occasionally to see how much progress you have made .
Build your skills.
Last but not least, build your skills. Never stop learning. By continuously learning, two things occur. You have a greater array of options when change is imposed. Your skill base is deeper or wider and your network is broader. You become much more used to change.
