Do these 5 things to improve your experience with change.

1.???? Note your track record. You encounter change every day - sometimes big, often small. Some quick math tells me that equates to over 18,000 changes (given my age). I’d say we can agree that doing anything 18,000 times makes us very experienced, if not expert. So, the next time that you’re facing a change, give yourself a confidence boost by reminding yourself that you’re very experienced and capable of going through change. Remember that the legacy of every change is evidence of your resilience.

2.???? Consider the benefits. Very few changes are all bad. Sometimes it can feel like you were not considered whatsoever in the decision-making of the change. That the change is happening to you, not for you. While that sometimes may be the case, it is also possible that there are benefits designed for you within the change. Tilt your mindset and consider what the upside might be by making a few positive assumptions. Find the silver lining. Seek to draw the value and/or learning out of every change experience.

3.???? Baby step it. A common reason that people are resistant to change is the fear of what their world will look like on the other side of the change. It feels big, overwhelming. There is so much uncertainty. That’s why I suggest that, when you can, you should approach the change in small, manageable steps. The main thing you can do to overcome the anxiety that often accompanies change is to take action and do something to get started. Action?brings clarity and direction that we cannot access through thinking alone.

4.???? Put a reinforcement in place. You’ll need to create something that will make the change stick. Reinforcement could be an accountability buddy, a progress chart, or really anything that helps you to be mindful of and take stock of gains. Research has shown that even ordinary, incremental progress can increase people’s appetite to continue. And, in the spirit of flaunting, I must suggest that you also celebrate each win along the way.

5.???? Recruit support. Changes, big and small, are better navigated with support. It’s not a weakness to ask others to help you adapt to change. The most senior leaders I’ve ever met have a list of people they lean on – personally and professionally. You don’t have to do it alone. Surround yourself with people who will be your champion, catch you if you fall, and help you spot and mitigate risks.