“If you do not create change, change will create you.” ~Unknown
Transition, growth, downsize, upscale, mergers, recruitment, relocation, review, improve, new, etc. all these words denote change……….and change is hard. Whether it is in your personal or professional life it advocates a departure from the familiar to strange and untested waters. This is often scary as it evokes a feeling of vulnerability – a place where we are not in control of the outcome and as such are reluctant to venture into. We are often resistant to change, and we don’t realize that change itself is constant.
No matter what your focus is, change will come. The question is whether you recognize the need for change and whether you are willing to make the changes necessary.
In order to grow or progress, there has to be some measure of change in your current circumstances and/or situation. Stagnation is not a horizontal line, but rather a downward spiral backwards birthing regression, depression, reduction, redundancy and retreat. Any movement in your circumstances is precipitated by change. The results of the change will largely depend on your understanding the process, accepting it, planning it and flowing with it, thereby yielding to a growth and a positive effect in your favour.
Once you finally come to terms with the idea of change, your next step will be to determine whether you will actually do what it takes to effect the change and to obtain the results you long for, or whether you are content to stay where you are – in a safe yet stagnant environment.
I have been embracing change since a young age. During my life, I have lived and traveled in different countries and lived in over ten apartments, changed three schools and about five different careers.
At first, it is a bit difficult and annoying, but after a while, you get used to the change so much that if it doesn’t come for a while, you end up moving the furniture at home in order to feel something changing.
Changes connected with moving from country to country impacted my personality. Thanks to them I became more flexible and open-minded. Now I understand cultural differences and appreciate diversity.
Each of the career shifts brought knowledge and new experiences. As a result, apart from the professional experience, I learned how to resolve conflicts with difficult colleagues and how to work with unbearable bosses.
Career-related changes brought self-confidence. All those changes led me to the realization of what I wanted to do with my life.
In general, when looking back, I realize that all the good things in my life are the results of changes that occurred in the past.
People usually avoid changes and prefer to stay in their comfort zones, but I am true believer that once you get the courage and take the first step to change, your life will become much better.
The first and the most important step is to ascertain whether it is time to change.
How do you know it is time to change?
a) When things that used to work do not work any more
b) When you no longer have the grace to do what you do, how you do it and when you do it.
c) When what you do is no longer relevant or effective
d) When you begin to see options
Below are just few benefits of change:
Personal growth – You grow and learn new things every time something changes. You discover new insights about different aspects of your life. You learn lessons even from changes that did not lead you to where you wanted to be.
Flexibility – Frequent changes make you easily adapt to new situations, new environments, and new people. As a result you do not freak out when something unexpectedly shifts.
Improvements – We all have things in our lives we’d like to improve—finances, job, partner, house, etc. All of us know that nothing will improve by itself. We need to do things differently to make that happen. Without change, there’d be no improvements.
Life values – From time to time changes make you re-evaluate your life and look at certain things from a different perspective. Depending on what the change is, it may also reinforce your life values.
The Small changes – Often, we give up because we cannot accomplish the difficult task of making a huge and immediate change. That is when small changes become extremely valuable. One shift at a time, small changes will eventually lead you to the desired big one.
Strength – Not all changes lead you to pleasant periods of life. Unfortunately, we do not live in fairy tale and sad things happen, too. Overcoming the tough period will make you stronger.
Progress – Changes trigger progress. Things move forward and develop because of the them.
Opportunities – One never knows what each change may bring. When you turn from your usual path there will be plenty of different opportunities waiting for you. Changes will bring new choices for happiness and fulfillment.
New beginnings – Each change is a turning page. It is about closing one chapter and opening another one. Changes bring new beginnings and excitement to life.
Sustaining the change – Keep moving forward, follow the plan and stay focused. No matter how winding the path, deep the challenges…. keep the end game in mind!
So next time you get the temptation to avoid or resist the change, aim instead to initiate the ones that will lead you to where you want to be.
And remember—if there were no change, there would be no butterflies!
Hasan Latifi
