How to Handle Change When You Did Not Plan On It

As someone who works with highly-successful individuals and organizations, I often hear stories about a change that was not desired.

Sudden change is quite common for professional athletes in the form of career-ending injuries, being cut by teams, and experiencing the sunset of their performance.

But professional athletes are not the only ones facing sudden change. Other individuals, as well as large and small companies, are sometimes thrown into a transition they did not want or plan.

So what is the best way to handle change when you did not plan on it?

• First, is to start with your mindset.

Understanding change will eventually happen and is normal.

It's nothing new and has been discussed by humans for centuries.

"The only constant in life is change" - Heraclitus, 500 BC

Another mindset quote about change comes from the great leadership mind of Orrin Woodward who states, "You either hate losing bad enough to change, or you hate changing bad enough to lose."

• Second, is to set your expectations and goals.

One of the biggest questions I ask clients when clarifying this step is - What will keep you relevant?

When facing a change you did not expect, answering this question assists this aspect of the transition and imperative for setting your new expectations and goals.

• Third, is to keep moving.

In other words, change is not easy especially when it is not planned or desired. Rarely, is this type of transition perfectly done the first time and the longer we spend lamenting the longer it takes to move forward.

Take action - Plan, Do, Check Your Results, and Adjust (if needed). Do not be afraid to fail during this phase. I'm not talking about complete failure (hopefully, your goals and expectations are not set up for failure). I'm talking about minor setbacks or minor failures along the way, which can be fairly normal during this stage.

• Finally, find someone.

I've found that individuals and organizations that had success when facing a sudden change had someone, a mentor so to speak. Someone who has been where you've been or where you want to go. It doesn't always have to be someone older, as we often envision, but someone who can identify and articulate potential hurdles that perhaps you did not anticipate.

These simplistic principles can get you started on the right direction for handling change when you did not plan on it.

And of course, do not hesitate to reach out when we can be of further assistance and help you - Face Change Like a Champion!!!

Contact Us - www.KurtDavid.com