Coping with Change
When you hear the words, “Let’s talk about some changes that need to happen,” does your stomach clench as tight as mine does? Does your mind whirl with crazy thoughts? – “What if I can’t do this?” “What if I fail?” “I really don’t want to think about change right now. I have enough on my plate.”
Well, the truth is we cannot move forward without change! How many times have we kept doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results? Change helps us to grow and forces us to adapt in ways we probably never thought we could.
Why is change so uncomfortable? For most of us, change can be stressful because, as humans, we do not deal well with the unknown or the possibility of failure.
Here are some ways to cope with the discomfort of change.
Embrace failure. Expect to fail at new things. Let it be a part of your journey as you find what works for you. I read something once that said we should actively TRY to fail at something every single day because failing means we are trying something new. This can be something as simple as a new recipe or a new shade of lipstick, just apply the knowledge you gain and keep moving. Heck, it might even be fun!
Be willing to go backward in order to go forward. Success is not linear. An example of this includes temporary weight gain from an increase in carbs or losing some strength as you drop the weight to correct your form. If your mind knows that change is a part of the process, it is easier to rationalize and keep moving forward.
Set small action goals. Big goals are overwhelming for most people. Break them up into small stepping-stones that will keep you going on your path. If you want to run a 5k, set a goal of running 1 mile. Does running one mile feel overwhelming? Then start with walking it and add in some short run intervals. The key is to just start. Once you accomplish a small goal, you can move on to the next stepping-stone feeling a whole lot more confident!
Realize that you are capable of handling difficulty. Think about a time in your past when you did something you never thought you could do. See? You are strong enough to handle tough things. I know it’s cliche but you’ve managed to survive 100% of your worst days and you’re doing great. Let’s keep going!