How To Get Better at Dealing With Change in 9 Steps

Change is an inevitable part of life and can come in many forms. Change in our personal lives, work lives, and even around us in the world can be difficult to manage, especially when it feels like it’s happening all at once. From a professional standpoint, managing change effectively can be the difference between success and failure. As such, it is important to learn how to effectively deal with change in order to achieve our desired outcomes. In this blog post, we will discuss some strategies on how to get better at dealing with change, so that you can weather life’s storms with grace and confidence.

1. Find the humor in the situation. …
2. Talk about problems more than feelings. …
3. Don’t stress out about stressing out. …
4. Focus on your values instead of your fears. …
5. Accept the past, but fight for the future. …
6. Don’t expect stability.

Why is it important to be able to handle change at work?

It’s crucial to learn how to deal with change at work because doing so can help to improve work-life balance and reduce stress. People adjust to a variety of changes at work, such as the hiring of new managers to fill vacant supervisory positions, moving and undergoing a physical relocation, finding a new job, or being informed of company-wide layoffs. Learning how to manage change can be a crucial step in your professional development so that you feel more assured when it arises in the future.

How to get better at dealing with change

Here is a list of tactics you can employ to assist you in learning how to deal with change better:

1. Acknowledge the change

Accepting that a change at work is unavoidable is the first step in coping with it. Consider creating a mantra that you can say each time you consider it. Say something like, “It’s happening, and everything will be fine.” After accepting that it will happen, you might feel less stressed about it.

2. Assess your level of control

When you observe a change at work, try to assess your level of influence over the circumstance. Putting things into perspective for yourself by realizing how much of the change you are responsible for Consider how much control you have over the situation, for instance, if you learn that your business is moving to a new city. You might come to the realization that you have no control over where they move or whether they will offer you a job at the new location.

Try telling yourself to remain calm until something occurs that you have more control over if you realize that you have little or no control over a change. You will then have more control over whether you decide to accept the offer if they tell you a week later that they would like you to move to their new branch and that they intend to help with the cost of moving.

3. Keep a regular schedule as much as possible

Try to maintain a daily schedule as the time for the change approaches to feel more in control of some aspects of your life. Keep your daily routine, such as feeding your cats at 7:30 in the morning before preparing breakfast, in addition to other minor tasks you usually accomplish throughout the day. Making a list of the daily tasks you must complete and crossing them off as you do so can be satisfying.

4. Make healthy food choices

Sometimes when dealing with change, people turn to food for comfort. Consider keeping a daily food journal to make sure you consume those foods in moderation. You can review your journal before bed and think back on your dietary decisions. Knowing what you’re eating can enable you to choose a more sensible and healthy meal the following day. You can use your planner or a phone app to keep track of your food choices if you want to use a food log.

5. Include exercise into your routine.

If you don’t already exercise, think about including some light exercise a few times a week. If you already work out, consider adding a new type of exercise to your weekly routine. Exercise may help people by reducing the stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms they experience. Some exercises also cause the release of endorphins in the brain, which temporarily boost one’s mood and happiness. Think about setting aside a little time a few days a week to try an exercise you think you might like, like walking, biking, swimming, practicing yoga, or lifting weights.

6. Find support from others

Ask for support from coworkers, family, or friends if you’re feeling uncertain or overwhelmed about a change at work. Finding support from your family and professional network demonstrates that you are confident enough in yourself to recognize when you need their assistance to elevate your mood or mental state.

For instance, talk to your manager or speak with someone else at work to express your concerns if you recently learned that your manager is leaving the company and you’re unsure how the team will function without them. They might be able to reassure you by providing you with more details or advice on how to feel at ease with the shifting management role.

7. Be proactive

Being proactive entails taking preventative measures to address a problem before it arises. For instance, you might learn from a coworker that your employers are looking to hire an internal candidate for a leadership position that interests you. If you’re proactive, you can take the required actions to meet the requirements for the position, such as taking professional development courses, obtaining any additional certifications necessary, and updating your resume.

8. Acknowledge the positives

Recognizing some of the advantages brought about by an unexpected change at work can be beneficial. Perhaps your salary has increased since accepting a new position, or since your previous supervisor left, you are learning more from your new manager. Consider compiling a list of all the advantages that have occurred or may result from any change you are facing at work.

9. Manage your stress

Find ways to control the stress brought on by changes at work. There are several techniques you can try, including:

How To Get Better at Dealing With Change

FAQ

Why do I struggle with change?

Humans have a psychological reaction to change because of our desire for consistency and attachment to our routines. When faced with change, we may experience a variety of emotions, sometimes all at once, ranging from hope and excitement to anxiety and anger. Think about something positive you experienced, like a great promotion.

What are 5 ways to cope with change?

1. Identify what you can and cannot control. Change happens on both the micro and the macro scale.
2. Make time to take care of yourself. …
3. Work out your thought pattern. …
4. Be in the moment. …
5. Identify what’s important to you.

How do you overcome difficult change?

1. Know What You’re Dealing With. Clearly identifying what is happening is the first step in dealing with change.
2. Take Control If You Can. …
3. Accept What You Can’t Control. …
4. Avoid Avoidance. …
5. Take Care of Yourself. …
6. Get Support. …
7. Find the Positive. …
8. Find New Meaning.

How do you handle too much change?

1. Acknowledge that things are changing. …
2. Realize that even good change can cause stress. …
3. Keep up your regular schedule as much as possible. …
4. Try to eat as healthily as possible. …
5. Exercise. …
6. Seek support. …
7. Write down the positives that have come from this change.
8. Get proactive.