“There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction.” Winston Churchill
Whether good or bad, positive or negative, the one constant in life and business is change. It is inevitable. Being creatures of habit, change tends to push us out of our comfort zone, requiring us to make decisions and take action. Embracing transformation demands much more from us than going about our humdrum daily routines. Living in a rut is certainly predictable, but it is hardly exciting! In general, most people tend to view change in a negative light. Yet no matter you feel about it, you can’t stop change from happening.
How do successful people respond to change? They choose how they allow it to affect them. They view it as an opportunity for growth and upward momentum. And you must do the same. One of the most pivotal steps on your journey to success will be your decision to embrace change for the breakthroughs it presents, even when the change appears to be a negative one.
Motivational speaker Tony Robbins once said…
“All personal breakthroughs begin with a change in beliefs.”
Whether change leads to a positive or negative experience in your life often depends on your attitude towards it. Successful people understand that no matter how bleak it may seem, change brings about opportunities to make and can a positive outcome if one embraces it correctly.
For most people, the fear of change is rooted in insecurity. They prefer to go with the devil they know than the devil they don’t know. A successful individual who has taken risks and overcome the obstacles accompanying those risks has strengthened his/her self-confidence muscle. Through hard work, preparation, perseverance, success and overcoming failure you can condition yourself to face anything with confidence instead of fear. Being confident means that you believe in yourself and that no matter what changes you encounter, you will prevail and turn it into a rewarding experience both personally and professionally. This keeps you focused on the positive.
Successful people choose to succeed. The average person wishes for success. Notice the difference? The choice to become successful and follow your heart is backed by a firm conviction that you CAN do it. The underlying foundation of a wish is doubt. As a matter of fact, by wishing for something, you are already accepting the possibility that it may never come to pass!
Most people are afraid that they won’t be strong enough to handle change. Because of this fear, they have the tendency to get stuck in the paralysis of analysis. They fail to see the opportunities that change introduces. When faced with transition, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” and “What opportunities lie before me?” By positioning yourself in this manner, you can maximize the experience and allow it to propel you forward toward your preferred future.
How you deal with change speaks volumes about your character. If nothing else, change is a great opportunity for self-examination.
Reflect back to the last two or three major changes that occurred in your business and your personal life that initially you viewed in a negative light. Think about the benefits those changes led to. Did you grow? Do you feel more prepared to deal with a similar situation in the future? Did you strengthen your self-confidence muscle? If so, then strive to view future change in a positive manner. Don’t fight it. Embrace it! In all likelihood, it will be the best thing you ever do.
Eric Deschamps – Business Coach/Advisor, Ottawa