Choosing Change in Your Life - 5 tips to help you on your change journey

Are you moving through a chosen change right now?

Or maybe you are planning one for the near future?

Whether you are a leader choosing change within your organsiation or you are individually working on your own personal changes – this article is for you!

My experience with Chosen Change

Recently I have shared the news that I am starting a new business.

This is a big step for me.

I previously worked as a Director at SeeChange Consulting alongside my fellow Director and Co-founder Maria Nolan. ?

We created leadership, team and change management programs that have brought major change to the lives of individuals, regional communities and businesses in the financial services, agribusiness, local government, childcare, aged care and the broader not-for-profit sector for 22 years.

A wonderful business and a rewarding experience over those two decades.? However, in late 2023 I decided to choose a change.

Utilising all the experience and learnings I have gained over the last two decades, in early 2024 I commenced my individual journey as Tracy Cooper Change Specialist.

I will be working with senior leaders to tackle the challenges of implementing change in their organisation through 1:1 coaching, change management advisory service and facilitating senior teams to gain alignment and collaborate to lead ‘the change.’

But back to my change journey….

Over the last 3-4 months I’ve watched myself go through the emotions and reactions of moving through a chosen change.

And it’s not all sorted yet!?

I’ve learnt things about myself and it has definitely helped me deepen my change knowledge – because that’s my wheelhouse!

So here are 5 of my tips based on my recent experience of making chosen change happen in my life.?

Tip 1 Don’t be in a hurry - SLOW down

It’s a marathon not a sprint.

When I chose this change, I jumped into action and wanted to ‘get stuff done’ to get it all sorted.

And that resulted in a little bit of ‘busyness’ which made me feel good momentarily!

But thankfully… as a result of some wise words from my coach, I paused and I asked myself:

• Is this the right stuff to be doing?
• Is it taking me where I want to go?

And when THAT wasn’t completely clear… I knew I had to slow down and find clarity.

When we choose a change, it can be exciting and the enthusiasm can override logic.? Meaning the logical place to start and how to approach the change.

Rushing through a change can see us make rash decisions which wastes times and energy.

Change takes time…. especially a big change like mine.

Be patient.

And pace yourself to you keep your energy levels productive, so you don’t run out of puff!

It's a marathon.... not a sprint

Tip 2 FEEL your feelings

When we choose a change and start moving through it… it will bring emotion and different feelings.

With my chosen change, the feelings have ranged from excitement, being anxious and having self-doubt, happiness, relief (to have taken the plunge) and overwhelmed – just to name a few!

But the best thing I’ve done is feel each of those feelings almost daily. And not skip over them or ignore them.?

Just because we choose the change, it doesn’t mean it’s all wonderful and easy.

And for me, talking to a trusted person like my coach helps me identify my feelings, which then helps me dig deeper and explore WHY I feel the way I do.?

If we choose to look for it…. there's an INSIGHT in each emotion we feel. ?

Our feelings are attached to what we are thinking… so check your thinking. Am I making assumptions? Is what I’m telling myself true?

Once I’ve found the insight and WHY I feel the way I do, I can focus on the areas that I can control and influence and that helps me to keep going and take action.

Change brings emotions.? And it’s normal to have a range of feelings.

To help yourself through each day, pause and ask yourself:

• What am I thinking?
• How do I feel?
• Why do I feel like that?

Thoughts drive feelings...feelings drive behaviour

Tip 3 Ask others for HELP

Choosing the change is one thing. ?The ‘WHAT I want to change.’ But making it happen... ‘HOW I do that?’….is a whole different step.?

?It can be overwhelming!

Thankfully my wise coach said to me.... 'Don't rush... start talking to people and let the HOW come'

And that's the BEST tip I’ve been given through this chosen change.

For several months I've utilised my network and asked for their help. People have been so willing to talk to me and I'm very thankful for that.

And as a result of asking for help I’ve had 3 wins:

1. By having to articulate and explain my change to others, ideas have come and I've gained more clarity on WHY I’m doing what I’m doing and HOW to make my change happen
2. By listening to others and being open to hearing their perspective and answering their questions, I've been able to view at my change through a different lens.? And I’ve gained some great ideas!
3. These people who have helped me are now pointing me in the direction of others who can also help - my network and support base has grown.

Asking for help and sharing your chosen change with others is a valuable use of time. These strategic conversations have been very powerful for me.

Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness

Tip 4 View your Chosen Change is an ADVENTURE

When I started my chosen change, there was enthusiasm and excitement. However… I soon realised that there were lots of unknowns and things to explore. And clarity and answers weren’t always there!

And one day...it dawned on me to view my change as an adventure. I LOVE a good adventure! That was as a big light bulb moment.

Chosen change is an adventure because it’s an ever-winding road with new, exciting and unexpected experiences around every corner. It’s about living both the ups and the downs.

And this thinking took me to making the connection between my current change and an adventure I had in Greece in 2023. Whilst on our walking and sailing adventures, we faced a real mixture of experiences along our journey. Tough challenges, pleasant surprises, loads of fun and lots of time for self-reflection and learning experiences.

And once I started to view my change as an adventure… my thinking and emotions shifted. I started to ask myself these questions that really helped me with my thinking:

• Why am I doing this change?
• Where am I going with this change?
• Who would I like to join me on my change adventure?
• How will I celebrate the wins?
• What are the strategies for when things don’t go to plan or come from left field?

Try viewing your change as an adventure. It takes the pressure off getting things perfect. ? And that thinking will bring a load of opportunities and wonderful experiences.

Adventure brings us new expereinces and opportunities

Tip 5 Just work your way through it - Get a PLAN?

That’s what my Dad used to always say to me when I was facing a challenge 'Just work your way through it... take it one step at a time…. and it will come together.’

Getting a plan at the start has been key for me… but having an open mind and flexibility with that plan as my ideas grow and I hear the perspectives of others, has been a game changer.

And the GREATEST help I’ve had to ‘Just work my way through the change’ is from my coach.

She’s provided a framework for me to think, she’s asks cracking questions, supports and challenges me.? And that is what has helped me come to each of the tips. Absolute GOLD! ?

Moving through change can be hard and lonely.

I’ve found it’s best to share the journey to get that plan, as that has resulted in me gaining perspective, new ideas and my CONFIDENCE has grown.? It also slows me down and prevents me from rushing too quickly in my decision making and racing off to chase ‘bright shiny lights’ that may not be the best option!

Big change comes from lots of small steps...and ALL these small steps matter.

Summary

I believe change helps us continuously improve, learn, grow and remain relevant in our world.

Choosing a change can be exciting. And it can be daunting. Just because we have chosen the change, it doesn’t mean it’s plain sailing.

For me, learning and confirming these 5 tips have very much helped me on my change journey.? I’m not completely through it yet, but I have learnt so much and I am definitely enjoying the ride!

Can I help you?

My coach has had a HUGE impact on my journey.? Would you like me to help YOU on yours?

Whilst there is recipe to creating change in our lives, there isn’t a ‘cookie cutter’ solution. I tailor every client project to meet specific objectives, putting people at the centre of my work.

If you’re a leader with strong desire to drive change in your life or in your business – I’d love to hear from you.

My offer is a free one hour discovery conversation about your change needs and challenges, so I can determine where I can best support you.

Please contact me via email, phone or connect with me on LinkedIn and send me a private message.

It’s all about how I can support YOU to lead yourself, your team and your change successfully.

e: [email protected] | m: 0413 968535

• Certified in Prosci Change Management Methodology
• Accredited Myers Briggs Personality Facilitator
• Emotional Intelligence Coach EQ 360
• Belbin Team Roles Accredited Facilitator
• Company Director’s Diploma, Australian Institute of Company Directors

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