Change is happening all around us. ?It’s constant. ?We have recently changed years from 2016 to 2017 and we are about to Change Administrations…and while I have never seen such fear/anxiety in the public discourse surrounding a President-Elect, I HAVE been and Coached people through tremendous Changes in their lives.

I know, I know?change is: scary, represents unknown, threatens our certainty and most often its a real?pain in the ass! ?But bitching about it won’t prevent it. ?When something is constant, we should maintain a cosntant “readiness” for it. We need to maintain?a mindset of adaptation rather than stress so we can evolve with the change.

Last year I shared a list of my favorite books for personal success.?One of the books that didn’t make it on list but is totally relevant right now is: ?Who Moved My Cheese? written by Dr. Spencer Johnson, the co-author of The One Minute Manager. ?I would like to share my takeaways from this book that will also give you insight on the best ways to “adapt” to change.

  • Have a sense of humor about yourself and your own situation. This means that it’s ok and even encouraged to laugh at yourself.?This is something we often forget to do when we are caught up in the stress the change is causing. Take a step back and try to be an outsider looking into your situation. This will help you be more objective rather than reactive and it will also help you lighten up and laugh at yourself when you see the stressors that very well may not even be actual stressors!
  • Be like “Haw”!?Haw is a prominent character in Who Moved My Cheese? He boldly moves on when things are bad. He challenges you to think about what you would do if you weren’t afraid. In reality, many people don’t move on and they stay stuck because they are afraid of the unknown that comes along with change. ?Be be/get/stay STUCK…dab some #Klubrication on your situation if necessary and “Be Like Haw!”
  • It’s never too late to do what you want to do. Another aversion to change comes from people thinking that it’s “too late”. ?This is an excuse to avoid the “work of change” and its NEVER “too late” to?make a change and do what you have always wanted to do at any time, even right now as you’re reading this!

I mentioned in the beginning of this post, that the inauguration happening on Friday is a symbol of some big changes happening in our world. My intention is that these takeaways will help ease your stress over what’s happening and help you adapt. I say this with care, knowing that whether your candidate is taking office, or you’re opposing the new President Elect, there are stressors on both ends.
change is stress shannon parsons
Lastly, and speaking of stress, please make your plans to join the January Edition of Online Office Hours (OOHs) where I will be interviewing Stress/Anxiety Relief expert, Shannon Parsons. ?Change is constant…but the “stress” of change doesn’t have to be…all you need is some tools, techniques and a super cool guide. ?Join me for the January OOHs and relieve your stress with Shannon Parsons!