Finding Joy in the Process of Change

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” – Leo Tolstoy

In nature, change is?not a choice. It is an inevitable process that unfolds without resistance, in adherence?to the laws of the natural world. The sun rises, and then it sets. Plants grow, ecosystems evolve, life carries on. There's a lot we can learn from nature about the process of change, from?figuring out how to adapt to changes in our environment to?finding ways to bloom?wherever we are planted.?

In the workplace, change is also inevitable, but because change must go through people to get implemented, change becomes a choice. Employees have the power to promote or prevent the change process from unfolding, and resistance to change is common. Without change, companies stagnate and fail to thrive.

The same is true for change on a personal level.? As humans, we have the unique ability to avoid or delay making inevitable or necessary changes. We do this because change requires extra effort, takes time, or makes us feel uncomfortable. The problem is that when we prevent necessary change from happening, we miss valuable opportunities to improve?our lives and?reach our full potential.? ?????

What makes the change process even more painful is that it’s easy to envision the future: we have better health, we work more efficiently, we make more money. To get to that goal line, however, we must not only take the first step, but all the steps after, which is where people tend to get stuck or give up.

Embarking on meaningful change, whether it’s work-related or personal, can feel overwhelming. This emotion is compounded when the directive to change is external. When it feels like change is happening to us, it’s missing the motivation that’s required to get going and often, lacks clarity in terms of how it should be prioritized in relation to all the other changes, tasks, and commitments made.?

This is fertile ground for inertia. When the list of to-dos is long, the temptation to tackle the low-hanging fruit is high. The problem is that people stay busy working on projects or activities that make them feel productive, even if they don’t produce anything meaningful at all.

To break the cycle of stagnation, leaders and the self-led must make a critical shift in how the change event is perceived, and how it is pursued by seeking out and finding joy in the change process.

The change process refers to the experience people have when they become aware of the need for change. It includes the emotions they feel based on whatever is happening around them, and the choices they make that support or?inhibit progress. Joy, on the other hand, is a positive state of being that is unaffected by external factors or stimuli. It is?driven by?internal motives, such as working towards a goal or on something that aligns with our life purpose.?

Finding joy in the process of change isn't difficult, but it does require effort.

The first step is to take ownership of your joy, which usually requires a mindset shift. As Abraham Lincoln famously once said, “most people are just as happy as they make up their minds to be”. Finding joy in the process starts with letting go of the worn-out?patterns and beliefs that hold you back and limit your potential.?

In the workplace, managers play a key role?in?helping workers find joy in the change process. Using a coach approach, managers can help team members develop self-awareness around the blind spots that may be preventing them from?taking the first step.? If the need for change is personal, a professional coach, therapist, or trusted?friend can help you improve your mindset while attempting to practice new ways of thinking and behaving.

The next step to find joy in the process of change is to focus on what you can control. Change creates uncertainty, which can feel unsettling, while a sense of control?helps us feel stable?and that we can produce the results desired. In an older article published by the National Library of Medicine , perceived control is in fact necessary for our biological survival, and we can control our perception by making choices. Each choice, no matter how small it may be,?reinforces the perception of control and autonomy.

To help yourself or your team feel more in control of a situation, simple actions such as getting organized , talking to someone you trust , or taking a movement break can increase the feeling of being in control, improve your outlook, and strengthen your ability to experience of joy amidst change.? ???

Another way to find joy in the change process is to focus on what you will learn from the experience. Whether it’s?developing new skills, deepening your expertise, or being able to look at the same situation through a different lens, learning fulfills our brain’s cravings for novelty and challenge , which can lead to feeling a deep sense of satisfaction that is akin to being in a state of joy.

Finding joy in the change process does not mean the ride will always be enjoyable; it simply means doing your best, staying focused on?what you can control, and finding the lessons as the?process naturally and inevitably unfolds.?

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