However, as a result of the changes, you may not have the same opportunity to connect with certain people or certain activities that you’ve enjoyed. These subtle changes can translate into a loss, and leave you feeling amiss and reluctant to move forward with the changes. Identifying those aspects of the change that represent personal benefits will help you to maintain a balanced perspective and orient you positively toward the change. It may be because…you fear the unknown. During periods of change, when times are uncertain and unpredictable, you may fear or worry about the unknown. You may be anxious about where you are headed and what the future will look like. In the workplace, a change in one area may require decisions in another that can’t always be foreseen or articulated as quickly as you would like. There are a number of things that you can do to help yourself adapt to uncertainty or ambiguity: • Determine how the change will affect your immediate situation; ask questions to clarify issues that seem unclear, and stay focused on the task at hand. To minimize worry about what lies ahead, ask yourself, “Is there anything I can do about this matter?” • If yes, then identify the action to be taken. If not, acknowledge that you have no control over the matter, and focus on those things that you can influence. • You can learn from your past experience of change by asking, “Have I been through anything like this before?” or, “How did I get through it and what seemed to work?” Positive Orientation Towards Change No matter what change you are faced with in life, it will be much easier to cope with and adapt to if you hold a positive attitude about change in general. Having a positive orientation towards change involves: • Knowing what you can and cannot control in a given situation • Recognizing that disruptions are a natural response to change • Being creative and looking for opportunities that change creates • Recognizing that there are a number of right ways to do things • Utilizing your personal resources and strengths to actively do the best you can Being Aware and Taking Care Having a positive outlook on change will go a long way in minimizing stress. It’s important to be aware of your stress levels and to take special care of yourself during these times. Everyone has an active role to play in how they respond and adapt to change. Understanding this will make it much easier to take advantage of the opportunities for learning and personal growth that do exist in times of change. 34 | 2024 | Issue 1 SupportingYour Practice
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