Responding to change

A few weeks ago, as I contemplated announcing a big career change, I began to experience feelings of anxiety. Secretly I tried to decipher those feelings as I pondered whether they were normal. A timely message came from a trusted alliance,

“Did I tell you that I experienced a full-on panic attack days before moving to the United Kingdom?” No! I replied. “Yes, there were episodes. One of them happened in the middle of the night. I felt like I could not breathe, I had to open the door in the dead of the night and go out in the porch.” I was pleased to learn that it was normal for persons to experience feelings of uneasiness when undertaking a big change.

Many scholars have given their perspective on the meaning of change In summary, change is a process that involves altering the present situation be it behaviour, practices, habits, lifestyles, viewpoint. Change can be simple or difficult. It may involve minor tweaks or complete disestablishing and building something new.

Change must be sustained for it to be successful. No doubt you have all heard the saying “change is inevitable”, or, “the only constant is change” yet, many people treat change as the proverbial plague. Something to be avoided at any cause. Yes, it is true that change disrupts, it is uncertain and could sometimes be difficult, but change is the agent by which people grow and remain relevant in this rapidly evolving world. You are literally faced with two options adapt and survive or resist and perish.

There are several examples that illustrate the results of both choices in businesses.

Those that adapt and change survive and those that resist and refuse to change succumb. The same is true for individuals, only those who are alert to the changes around them and quickly adapt to new conditions, thrive. Therefore, the key to success in any area of life is to embrace the uncertainty of change, and be opened to new possibilities, new perspectives, and new experiences.

In an article by ‘changemaker’ on Medium, titled “Survival of the Adaptable”, the author emphasizes the importance of nurturing a growth mindset. He describes a growth mindset as believing in your abilities and having the conviction that you can innovate yourself over time if you are consistent and purposeful in your efforts. Furthermore, he said that you must welcome challenges and view changes as opportunities. Always believe that efforts will out win, and out last innate talent and setbacks present opportunities to redouble your efforts or to try another approach.

One of the surest ways to grow and remain relevant is to feel the fear and change anyway. The fear of the unknown causes many people to stay in their comfort zone. There are people who remain with the same organization for forty years, whilst others stay for decades and leave in the same position that they join. Recently, one person who has been with an organization for thirty-six years said to me they had contemplated leaving several times, but the uncertainty of change has kept them there.

Unfortunately, some of the biggest resisters of change in organizations are usually people who evade change in their personal lives. However, unless you become alert to this ever-evolving world that impacts every aspect of your life and adapt to change by adjusting and reinventing yourself, you will eventually become obsolete and irrelevant.

“Nothing in this universe can grow without changing. Neither can you.”