Three Targeted Steps to Embracing Change

Some individuals leave the changing room and jump right into the deep end of the pool. Splash and brrr!

Not me. I’m in the group at the other end, toe-testing the water temperature as I inch my swimsuit-clad body from dry to soaked. Because I approach most change in like fashion, I came up with three targeted steps to embracing change.

Step One: Assess the Need

How necessary is the change? What benefit will I gain by making the change, and what ill-effects may I suffer if I resist?

For my first decade or so of life, I loved watching my mother remove the old multi-colored ink-speckled calendar and hang the new one. The many pristine little numbered squares held such promise.

As a young child, I found Daylight savings time fascinating. This change came in a close second to the calendar on my favorites list.

Then, I grew up, and my attitude shifted. I found change much less exciting, resisting as long as possible.

The lovely new calendar waited until February to leave the gift envelope. I’d moved it from under the tree to the kitchen counter-top.

In both the spring and fall, I mentally adjusted the hour throughout my day for the first two weeks of the time-change. When I gave in and shifted my timepieces all over the house to reflect the proper hour, I found it a relief—thus, a pleasant experience.

I couldn’t avoid the change, but I figured I could delay embracing it.

By the time I’d reached thirty-something, my reluctance had posed a problem. I’d been late for a couple of appointments. I’d misplaced the calendar in the stack of other envelopes accumulating on the kitchen counter-top.

I discovered the inevitable move to comply with the rest of the world became easier when I added Step Two.

Step Two: Begin the shift

What can be done to smooth the way into the change? What preliminary steps will make the change something to anticipate with gladness?

Once I’d assessed the need as inevitable, I made preparation plans. Take the new calendar out of the envelope well before January and begin to fill in the squares with appointments already penciled in on the new year list. Leave the calendar open on the countertop or desk to get used to seeing it.

After a few days, I could hardly wait until January 1 to hang it.

I accomplished the twice-yearly time change by mentally beginning the adjustment a few days before changing the clocks. By Saturday night, I could hardly wait to turn the clocks and give my brain a rest.

In more complicated situations, another step may be needed to affect the change.

Step Three: Cut the Ties

What needs to be done to leave the former things behind? Is there any part of the old to incorporate into the change?

If you’re like me, you had C appointed to represent Circle the wagons, right? Protect yourself from the onslaught of change.

Don’t back out now. You’re in a good position to move forward and embrace the change.

Concluding the example above, if you need to add notes to the new calendar before tossing the old one, do it right away. Next year, you might want to do it before December ends, so you can make a clean break with the old when the new takes center stage.

If the changes on your plate involve items left over from last year’s to-do list, fret not. You’re not alone. Bring the necessary things forward as new, not unfinished business. Dump that old to-do list and start new.

Last year’s gone; you can’t bring it back. Don’t lug it with you into the new year. Resist the temptation to beat yourself up about it. You’ll do better with the change if you cut the ties and get on with moving forward.

Conclusion

I’ve used simple illustrations from everyday life to demonstrate a method I’ve found helpful when facing change. The principles also provide an essential framework for dealing with more complicated situations.

If time changes and the passing from one year to the next aren’t an issue for you, I encourage you to stuff these ABC’s in your back pocket and pull them out the next time change comes knocking. You know it will eventually, right?

Give the three steps a try:

• Assess the Need.
• Begin the shift.
• Cut the ties.

Whether you’re toe’s inching its way into the water of change next to mine, or your cannonball splash rocketed you right to Step Three, I wish you a smooth transition as you move forward and embrace change.