How to Manage Change Effectively
There are two schools of thought when it comes to Change: love it or loathe it. Change however, is inevitable. No matter what the change is, whether in your control or not, change will occur and you have to learn how to manage change effectively.
When you are able to manage change effectively, you empower yourself to make the right decisions so that you can accept what is in your control and what is not. When you know the difference between these two thoughts then you are more likely to embrace change in a positive way.
Why you don’t like change
Most of the loathers of change have difficulty with it because of the fear of the unknown. However, when you plan for the potential outcomes of change you can reduce the overwhelm. Anxiety is associated with change and as a result our mental wellbeing needs to be stronger so that it does not cause you more stress.
When you fear the unknown, it is difficult to see what is manageable and what is not in order to manage change effectively. This is where your mindset work comes into play. Even a simple task such as writing down the impending change and its possible outcomes can help to clear some of that fog.
In addition, reviewing the language you use to talk about the change that is coming, is important. When you review your language you can start to see any negative self-talk emerging. This can be helpful to see whether these are your limiting beliefs which hold you back from embracing change.
NLP to help you manage change more effectively
In NLP we talk about change as an extremely positive attribute. When you change the way you think, you will get the results that you want. This sounds like a simple concept however, your limiting beliefs could be so deep that rewiring your mindset becomes more difficult.
Modeling is another technique in NLP which is based on modelling the behaviours of someone you would like to be more like. In this instance we are talking about modelling their excellence to help you achieve your goals. For instance, if you wanted to be a professional tennis player, you may model your lifestyle, training and mindset on Sabrina Williams.
When you change the way you think about something then you can change the outcome. To manage change more effectively, you will need to understand what holds you back and these are often set in your limiting beliefs.
Practical tips to help you manage change effectively
1. REFLECTION
Start by writing down why you do not like change. Dig deep here and go into past experiences where change has not been good for you. Review whether those changes could have been managed better if you knew what the possible outcomes were. Take it a step further and evaluate if change is something that a parent may have been uncomfortable with.
2. OUTCOMES
It is imperative to plan for potential outcomes with anything that makes you uncomfortable because you can reduce your stress related to the task. When you know which way the wind may blow, you are more able to manage the change effectively because you have control.
3. SOLUTIONS
For each outcome it is important to also add a solution that may help with managing the change better for you. Start by deciding which outcome you would like and work backwards from there. You are defining solutions for the other challenges that may arise.
Limiting beliefs and managing change
Assessing limiting beliefs is a great exercise to do no matter what change you are about to experience. It is especially useful for when you know that something is not quite right in your life and you keep repeating a pattern of behaviour.
When you keep getting the result you do not want, that is the time to start working on your fears and limiting beliefs. Some fear is absolutely ok and perfectly normal. However, if you do not know the difference, irrational thinking can soon overtake your ability to manage change effectively.
Changing something will have a direct effect on the result you’re trying to achieve. Be brave, be prepared and understand that not all outcomes will be as bad as you might think. This is where a little prep beforehand helps reduce the perceived magnitude of an outcome. It is a much healthier way of approaching change.
Puja McClymont – certified coach, wisdom teacher, speaker and host of the SELF Care 101 podcast.
As a life and leadership coach, I help mission-driven individuals who are seeking direction, to gain clarity, by expanding their inner awareness through the ancient wisdom teachings of Ayurveda and Yoga; so that they can lead more purposeful and fulfilling lives.
Discover tips and insights through my YouTube channel, podcast, blog and email edit.
