Cultivating a Culture of Resilience Amid Change

This week, I had the privilege of presenting a program on change management to an association. One of the exercises I conducted invited participants to reflect on the changes that have occurred over the past decade. What new technologies have emerged? Which professions have evolved? How has medicine transformed? Take a moment to think about this yourself.

Naturally, many participants mentioned advancements like AI, electric vehicles, self-driving cars, streaming services, and the convenience of ordering food directly from our phones instead of through the waitstaff at a restaurant. How did you feel about these changes when they first appeared? What are your thoughts on them now?

One thing is certain: change and stress will continue to arrive at unprecedented speeds. Instead of viewing change as a source of stress or annoyance, we can take proactive steps to enhance our flexibility and resilience.

Here are some strategies to boost your resilience at home and work:

• Meditate: Practice connecting with yourself every day, even if just for a few moments.?
• Express Gratitude: Regularly acknowledge what is going well in your life in order to cultivate a positive outlook.
• Prioritize Well-Being: Ensure that you get enough sleep, engage in regular exercise, and eat a balanced diet.
• Challenge Your Perspective: Engage with puzzles or other activities that encourage you to see things differently.
• Change Your Routine: Take different routes to work, the grocery store, or the gym to shake things up and stimulate your mind.
• Use Positive Language: Shift your phrasing to welcome change. For example: Instead of saying “We’ve always done it that way,” try “What aspects of our current approach should we preserve?” Replace “We don’t have the budget for that,” with “How can we break this down and start with what we have?” Instead of “Our old manager wouldn’t let us do that,” say “I appreciate the new options being presented.” By changing our language, we can transform our mindset, making us more adaptable.

I invite you to share a moment when you noticed positivity and flexibility in your workplace. How did it impact your experience?