One thing in life is certain---change. Things never stay the same. If you are hoping for the status quo, then I'm afraid you will be disappointed. Just think back to how things were five years ago and you will realize that there is so very much that's already different in a very short time.
I'm sure there are some of you who know people who refused to adapt to the computer age. I still know some "old timers" who want to use word processors or even typewriters instead! Imagine. What is up with that?
Well, when change comes we have several options, some of which are more adaptive than others. Let's take a look at them.
The first option is to refuse to change or adapt to any new circumstances, just like the person who still uses a word processor. These are generally people who are afraid of change. I also think that underlying that fear is the fear of being inadequate. When change requires new learning, as it often does, some people don't think they will be able to master the new skills so it is easier to simply renounce the changes than adapt. The problem is that these are the people who are left in the dust.
The second possibility is the slow starter. These people usually start out in one of the first two mentioned roles---either refusing to change or anxiously running around trying to figure out what to do about it. They do not like change any more than the next person and they resist and resist until one day, they realize that the change may actually bring benefits. Once they see that there is a payoff for them, they fairly easily do the necessary things to adapt to the change.
A third possibility is what we see in the over anxious people in our midst. You know who they are. They are the ones who are always making mountains out of molehills and have a nervous energy about them whenever confronted with a novel situation. They imagine all the possible scenarios about what could occur and seem to just go around in circles. They don't adapt to the change; they just worry themselves sick over it.
The final and most rewarding possibility are the people who understand that change is a part of everything. When we stop evolving, we start eroding. These people welcome change, in fact, they frequently generate it. They realize that change is what makes things happen. Change propels us forward. These people are quick to make the necessary adaptations and suffer the least from the inevitable.
Do you recognize your own character in any of the above descriptions? Have you read Spencer Johnson's book, Who Moved My Cheese? This book is an excellent description of the four possible characters in the Change Game. In the book, the first character was a little person named Hem. Hem was afraid of change and believed it would make things worse. He avoided it at all costs. The second character was a mouse named, Scurry. Scurry ran around in circles, just attempting to do something, anything. Sometimes he was right, sometimes wrong but he was constantly in motion. The third character was a little person named Haw. Haw was slow to figure things out but eventually he adapted to the change and realized that the change could bring something better. However, the real winner was the mouse, Sniff. Sniff jumped into action early, sniffing out the terrain and making a choice on what to do next. He adapted the quickest.
Which character are you? Who would you like to be? What would you have to give up to be the character you really want to be? Would you like to make a plan right now to implement these changes into your life? It will require a commitment and a good plan.
This is where a coach can be helpful. When you identify an area in your life that requires some attention and you commit to making the necessary adjustments, it's strange how life gets in the way sometime and we revert back to our previous ways. A coach is someone who can keep you on track and pointed in the direction of your goals. A coach will support your progress and hold you accountable for the goals you set.
Visit www.coachingforexcellence.biz, go to the Free Stuff page and take the assessment called, Adaptation to Change.
Kim Olver has an undergraduate degree in psychology, a graduate degree in counseling, is a National Certified Counselor and is a licensed professional counselor. Since 1987, Kim has extensively studied the work of Dr. William Glasser's Choice Theory, Reality Therapy and Lead Management. She was certified in Reality Therapy in 1992 and continued her studies to become a certified instructor for the William Glasser Institute. She is an expert at empowering people to navigate the sometimes difficult course of life---teaching them how to get the most out of the circumstances life provides them. She offers free chats, assessments, a blog and an eZine, as well as workshops, teleclasses, e-courses, counseling and coaching. Visit her website at http://www.coachingforexcellence.biz or contact her at (708) 957-6047.
move in cleaning service Mundelein ..What's wrong with me? When I'm sick I get grumpy... Read More
By definition,an affirmation is a statement repeated time and again... Read More
Imagine the what you could achieve if:You were 100 %... Read More
The only constant is change. If theres one thing we... Read More
I will never forget an evening in 2003, when I... Read More
In his all-time bestselling record The Strangest Secret, author Earl... Read More
Would you like to be confident in the things you... Read More
An Attitude of Gratitude. How important is this to you... Read More
If you suffer from low self-esteem, it's because you don't... Read More
Life is the greatest roller coaster ride we will ever... Read More
Ever witnessed an incident that needed to be reported to... Read More
When we were children, we were fearless. We would stick... Read More
The summer I was 20 years old, I worked as... Read More
One of the most well known books ever written on... Read More
There are countless books that describe success principles. Here are... Read More
You know, very often, the manner in which a person... Read More
This week I happened to catch a few minutes of... Read More
A Yale University study a few years ago revealed that... Read More
One thing in life is certain---change. Things never stay the... Read More
Philippians 4:6-do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,... Read More
Are you the kind of person who dwells on your... Read More
Looking around at our circumstances we may see only mountains... Read More
Your ability to forgive those who have hurt you in... Read More
We all have a unique way of communicating our story,... Read More
Several years, I was listening to a radio talk show... Read More
insured cleaning company Highland Park ..When you have a case of FABS, it may be... Read More
Getting motivated is sometimes easy enough to do, at least... Read More
Why do we help others? There is a whole lot... Read More
A Model of the dysfunctional, unconscious human psyche. A way... Read More
The Alchemists of old worked over many years, centuries, in... Read More
How do you explain things to yourself? With positive self... Read More
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't... Read More
The infamous "glass ceiling" is blamed for business issues for... Read More
Did you ever run into that person that just nags... Read More
Recently, I coached a young woman whom I'll call Mary... Read More
What do you do when things in your life don't... Read More
Philippians 4:6-do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,... Read More
Many people find it extremely difficult to be assertive, whether... Read More
The milkman knocks at the door of the old lady's... Read More
If we are the products of our attitudes then it... Read More
No matter how positive a person we are overall, there... Read More
"In life, if you give yourself a concession, you'd take... Read More
"The knowledge of actions or events before they occur; foresight."You... Read More
You have probably noticed those people at work, school, and... Read More
Since the beginning of human history we have been living... Read More
What are you holding onto? Wanta quit?There are many things... Read More
At some point in our careers, we may find ourselves... Read More
With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought it would be especially appropriate... Read More
Barry was on the phone in his office, speaking with... Read More
1. Smile2. Laugh3. Greet people courteously4. Be enthusiastic5. Dream. Engage... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |