All change - what to do when you are comfortable or uncomfortable with change.

“When nothing is certain, everything is possible”

This quote came to my attention just as the UK went into lockdown.

Personal and corporate clients were asking for support for themselves and their staff, and the quote was a great starting point in our conversations.

When nothing is certain, ‘normal’ rules are off the table.

When nothing is certain, the ‘usual’ is questioned.

When nothing is certain, the game has changed.

Innovation can come to the fore and a blank sheet of possibilities is before us.

Have you ever needed to write a report, article, presentation or blog post and had that blank sheet before you?

How do you react?

Scribble all over it with ideas flowing?

Avoid looking at it and do something else instead?

Or stare longing at it, waiting for inspiration to emerge?

What I noticed, as lockdown started and I shared “when nothing is certain, everything is possible”, some loved it and were excited to have the freedom to explore (even printed the quote and posted it in their wall).

Whilst others saw it as daunting. They were fearful and dreading the ‘blank sheet’ And of course there were many who moved between the two depending on the day, weather and situation. 

I am noticing more than two months later, that those who find innovative thinking easy and fun, even relaxing are thriving during this great pause. It is playing to their strengths. If you fit this category, you may well have found the last few months energising. Challenging too, but my guess is that also plays to your strengths.

Celebrate this!

Often when we have natural strengths - find something easy - we dismiss it. Dismiss ourselves. And assume that everyone can do it and find it as easy as we do. This will feed the imposter syndrome (read more here)

Acknowledge that you are comfortable with nothing being certain and look to see how you can share that strength with others.

Recognise that not everyone is comfortable with that blank sheet. Structure, normality and routine are what they crave. Seeing that nothing is certain for them is unsettling. For you, this could mean a time of great innovation, adaptation and creativity.

How can you celebrate you and be aware of others?

If you sit in the ‘this is highly uncomfortable’ camp, then recognise that and “be kind with what you find” What I mean, is don’t berate yourself for not being in the other camp. You are where you are and that is that.

Look for what you can influence.

Stephen Covey’s circle of influence is a great tool to help with this.

Ask yourself “What CAN I do?” and “Is anything else possible?”

The second question can be a challenge for us when our thinking is fixed.

A simple tool to help shift that is ask “what would a wise person do/say?” and notice what answers come to mind (you may need to wait for a while, but they do come)

Coaching clients have often shared that they ask themselves “what would Jules say or do?”

Obviously you can put any name in the question. Anyone you admire, trust or respect; a mentor, family member, friend, work colleague. Even someone you’ve never met.

This week a client was stuck in her fixed thinking, she couldn’t think what else might be possible for her in her current situation and I know she admires Serena Williams, so asked “what possibilities do you think Serena Williams would see in this situation?”

My client thought for a while and then answers flowed. None of them were applicable to my client, but that process freed her to think differently and by the end of the session she had pertinent solutions.

Her blank sheet had some scribbles on, a starting point.

When we have that starting point and walk towards that possibility, we gain more information. Clarity on what works and what doesn’t, and how we can learn from that to continue our journey.

Whether you are a lover of possibility or see it as an uninvited house guest, it’s here. And it’s length of stay is unknown.

So play to your strengths and get something on that blank sheet, and focus on what you can influence. And never, never berate yourself for being where you are!

 I currently have 2 slots available for 1:1 coaching. If this is something that you are ready for, and get yourself moving, then direct message me on Linkedin or if you prefer email [email protected]

Remember "when nothing is certain, everything is possible."