Change is a journey - my experience, what I've learnt and rediscovered

So many of us are going through change right now. This week, thousands of people at British Airways find out if they have a job in the reshaped team and thousands already chose to leave voluntarily, either because this was the right route for them, or because they couldn’t make the new terms work – this one example has thousands of people experiencing change. Regardless of how we are facing change, I think the most powerful and helpful thing we can do is to recognise that the feelings and thoughts we have through periods of change are totally natural – that in itself can feel pretty liberating.

Like so many others I have faced a huge amount of change this year; but with that change I have learnt some new things about myself and been reminded of some things I already knew, I want to share these in case they can be helpful to you and to stimulate a conversation.

The context – changes in my world:

• In February, before Covid-19, I decided to leave my role, the organisation I’d been with for 7 years and the industry I’d been in for 20 years. It was time to do something new, to reenergise myself and to get excited again! Making the decision and navigating the questions, fears and excitement was tough and whilst the decision, once made, was really liberating, there were also moments when I felt that I had lost my worth, my identity, the routine, my workplace friendships, the confidence of knowing that I was good at what I did etc
• In March, Covid-19 and lockdown hit. Another change. Getting used to a new normal, restructuring my day, getting used to not going out doing the things I love to do and seeing my partner, friends and family etc. The other consequence of Covid-19 was that organisations froze budgets for consultants and team development and quite understandably became consumed with safeguarding their businesses and working through the extensive list of complexities and issues – this didn’t exactly feel like the right time to be trying to set up my own consultancy supporting individuals and teams to grow their capability, teamship and engagement.
• In May, after a month of tests I got a cancer diagnosis. More fear, emotion and questions – more change. My lymphoma was stage 1A, treatment started quickly and the care has been amazing. I finish treatment in the next couple of weeks, have had minimal side effects, am expecting a cure and so I naturally consider myself very very lucky.
• In June, Grandad died. Dealing with this was tough – could anything else happen this year? This event was made worse by the fact that I was unable to visit him before he died or attend the funeral because I was shielding due to my treatment and Covid-19. 

What I have learnt and rediscovered:

Despite the change, despite the challenges and despite the plan I had in my head not being realised, I have noticed and understood that the following has been helpful to me:

Know that our thoughts and feelings are a process, a journey. If you’re not familiar with the ‘change curve’ there’s plenty of information available online, some of the models have been adapted but essentially, it explains the typical steps that we go through when experiencing change – everything from shock and denial, through to anger and on to experimentation and progress. Just knowing this can be hugely helpful because it shows us that we’re not weak, or weird, we’re just going through a process and that we will get through it.

Be kind to our self. A day or a week watching Netflix and eating junk food is ok, but setting a time limit for this period of inactiveness helps too; it helped me to remember that this is a process and a journey and that I’m strong enough and worthy enough to move on to the next stage.

Be ok with set backs. This week I have had 4 rejected job applications and no replies to my latest round of marketing for my consultancy. That’s ok though because today is a new day and next week is a new week and it won’t be like this forever. I’ve also learnt some things about why this happened and noticed my reactions – both help me to do things differently next time.

Set mini goals. I have found it really beneficial to set myself mini goals. Writing this article was a goal for this week as is writing a proposal and being more deliberate in trying to secure work – I’ve achieved 2 of them and will achieve the third before the weekend!

Celebrate achievements. When the goal is achieved or we did something good, notice it and celebrate it – even if it’s just giving ourselves a virtual pat on the back! It’s important to know when we’re achieving and to acknowledge how it makes us feel. It helps us to do more of it and it gives us confidence in our abilities.

Seek support. When we need support we must reach out - to loved ones, to a charity that can offer the support we need, check insurance policies as many of them offer the equivalent of Employee Assistance Programmes that many of us are familiar with, invest in our self and get a coach to help us work through our challenges. Whatever you need reach out for it. I’m conscious of not dragging others down if I’m having a ‘bad’ day but I’ve got amazing people around me and was brutally reminded earlier this week that I am only human! ??

Know it’s ok to change your plan. March, May and June’s events weren’t in my plan; but that’s ok. I’ve adapted, accepted, shuffled things around and feel ok changing the plan (not something I would historically have been comfortable with! I do love a plan!) My plan now is to continue to make efforts to make my consultancy work and to also explore opportunities for re-employment. I know what I’m great at and know the value I can bring and so when I find the right fit I’ll be jumping in with both feet. 

Finally, know our gold. I was listening to a great article two weeks ago, hosted by Naomi Empowers and featuring Paul Boldeau and they talked about “gold” and the importance of knowing our gold. Of course I know how important it is to know what our strengths are but I just love this language. 

For the record, my gold is: I care. Professionally I’m great at: building the capability, effectiveness and teamship within teams, leading the delivery of award winning operations and pioneering and successfully deploying change strategies to transform culture, ways of working and performance.

And so, this is my experience of recent change, what I have learnt and rediscovered; I’d love to hear about the things that you find helpful when navigating change in the comments section so that we can inspire and help others.