Dealing With Change

It's hard to believe that 2003 is almost history. But before it fades away altogether, I wanted to get "The SMART Factor" December issue to you. I trust that it will highlight ways you can use change to achieve your goals for the coming year.

May you have a very Merry Christmas and Fulfilling New Year.

Ann Griffiths

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Life change. Career change. Business change.

How we deal with change determines where we end up. Here are three tips to help us look change in the face and move with it to a better place.

1. Paint a picture
Envision an eaglet snuggled up in his comfortable nest. One day, mother eagle decides it’s time for his first flying lesson. The closer she nudges him toward the edge of their familiar home, the deeper he digs his talons into the safe surroundings. He’s sure that if he resists hard enough she’ll go away and he won’t have to deal with what he can’t believe is happening. Finally, after a lot of wing flapping, the eaglet falls out of the nest and a whole new world explodes around him.

Sound familiar? Are you digging in and hoping that “it” will all go away – maybe they won’t change my job description or, if I sleep on that idea, the problem will disappear?

You’re right. It isn’t easy to step into something new. But one thing we have that the eaglet doesn’t is the ability to paint pictures in our minds.

Imagine being in that new place or launching that new venture that you’ve been thinking about. See yourself already there and imagine what it’s like to enjoy the benefits. Do you see it? How does it feel?

2. Let go
The next step is to loosen your grip on familiar things that hold you back and grab on to what will move you forward.

• Let go of feeling like a victim who blames others when something is taken away. Instead, take charge of attitude choices that can turn an unsettling experience into something greater.
• Let go of thinking that the old way is the only way. Replace it with an open mind for new ideas that can grow from the old foundation.
• Let go of repeating habits that get the same old results. Substitute them with new behavior that can stimulate a better way of thinking and acting.
• Let go of fear and ask, “What would I do if I weren’t afraid?

3. Take action
It’s not enough to visualize what’s over the edge of that comfortable safe place. We need to spread our wings and get moving. Do what needs to be done. Be who we need to be.

• Be aware of what’s happening around you – it’s better to initiate change than to have to react and adjust to it later.
• Be open minded to learn something new – discovery can stimulate endless opportunities.
• Be alive and savor the adventure – getting there is half the fun.
• Be willing to laugh at yourself – remember that the novice eaglet had to flap around before he could soar like a majestic eagle.

Here’s a little book about change that I highly recommend – “Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson, M.D.

SMART Strategies works with people in business to help them gain clarity, grow beyond obstacles and self-imposed limitations, and succeed in achieving the results they want. To explore how you can get the results you want in your personal and business life, email Ann at coach@smartstrategiesinc.com