6 Steps to Managing a Blue Change

It has been a busy week. Busy with things I had scheduled and expected and busy with the unexpected. Things that popped up out of the blue.

The week started blue - a close friend's brother passed away. I found out from social media. He was an alcoholic, same age as me. We used to party - I said to my husband before I felt tears coming down my cheeks. We weren't close and I hadn't spoken to him in years but it felt wrong that he was gone. It prompted a conversation with my own brother about our family and some challenging circumstances of late. 2.5 hours later and a bucket load of tears, my brother and I are again thick as thieves and the air is clear.

As the week progressed I had very productive conversations about work and next projects, and presented on Change Management to a local HR network. Then it was time for my volunteer position as a business mentor - I turned up to the meeting only for people to comment how happy I looked. I was pleasantly surprised at the remarks. The week had literally started blue and turned all yellow and orange and happy.

What does this have to do with change tips? Well, let me share a few quick tips that may be useful if you are on a project or going through personal change and your week has started off all blue:

1. Share the load - speak to someone and tell them how you are feeling. Are you unhappy, disappointed or down right annoyed about something? Is it in your power to change the outcome? If the answer is yes, then map out the actions and do something about it, don't stew!
2. Take in the bigger picture. For me that was the realization that I wanted to have a conversation with my brother. For you, it may be that dreaded discussion about what does the change mean for your role/team or progression? Or that dreaded conversation with your boss that they are not doing so good at this leading game and need a jolt. 
3. Just do it! Whatever the scenario, be courageous and just do it. It could be that you have to get on a video call and present, or that you need to put yourself out there in front of your team, friends, business partners. Whatever it is, don't just linger in limbo. Progress over perfection!
4. Once done, get some feedback! Ask a trusted source or someone who could give you an objective opinion on how you did. Having an open and growth focused mindset will help you in the long term when dealing with changes. If you can't solicit feedback, why not use the High5 test to gauge your strengths and work on what you are naturally good at. 
5. Celebrate your achievement - it may be small, it may be significant. And maybe you weren't exceptional at it but you got the courage to do it and now you can work on improving. Both thumps up!!
6. Make time for people. If someone was there for you to talk to, to give you feedback, or to support you in a meeting, make sure you make the time to return the favor and tell them what that meant for you. We are here for a short time - make it count! 

A very interesting and somewhat confronting read (if you were to write your own eulogy) is a book by Prof Daniel Cable - Exceptional.

Doing more of what you love creates a positive energy that will inspire those around you. That, in turn, will uplift you. Life crafting is all about creating these upward spirals of energy and inspiration.

There are some great take aways there, but the key ones form me are to design your day to day to focus on your strengths and also to write yourself a letter from the future. Check it out!

Remember that change is a process. It doesn't stay blue or yellow or orange for very long. Its a state of flux. Constantly. Embrace it!

Thank you for reading this week. I'd love to hear your feedback.

CC

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