Karen Susman Article - Four Tools for Managing Change

Four Tools for Managing Change in Every Area of Your Life

By Karen Susman©

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While we've always had to adapt to change or die, change today happens faster. What we've always known is changing and we're inundated with change that takes us into worlds we've never known. We're faced with having to learn and adapt faster and faster. Simultaneously, terrorism is staring us in the face. People with lifestyles befitting their six figure incomes are being laid off and replaced by - no one. One could go on and on.

Given life's uncertainty, how do we cope with our heightened awareness of what always was so - "The winds they are a changin'?" Here are four ways to build a firm platform on which to perch even if the platform is built on the quicksand of life. Three additional ways to stabilize will appear next month.

Respect your personal stability zones. Personal stability zones are the constants in your life. Traditions fall into this area. From your morning coffee, Fruit Loops, orange juice, vitamins and newspaper ritual to night time prayers to daily exercise. Your stability zones include your friends and family. Nurture these relationships so you can count on them being there in calm or stormy times. Personal stability zones include your core values; those qualities you count on in yourself. Your strong core stabilizes you in choppy water. Tell yourself, "No matter what happens, I know I can be resourceful, honest, true, resilient, helpful..." or however you define your core.
Increase your change tolerance. Purposely add change to your life. By regularly trying new things, new routines, new interests, new routes, new relationships and new thinking, you can inoculate yourself to change. For some, this will mean cooking chicken on the once thought sacred spaghetti night. Travel to exotic places, take a class in the Japanese Tea Ceremony (even if you live for your daily double mocha latté light), or consider valid the views of another political party.
Find support and synergy. Don't be a lone ranger. Build a strong network of friends, confidants, co-workers and other buffers to the rigors of change. Seek synergy by partnering with others to achieve more than either one of you could accomplish alone. Get training in other tasks and disciplines. While it's grand to be a specialist, cross training will enable you to turn on a dime. Also, research shows that individualism can lead to depression.
Use change consultants. Others have been through the changes you're experiencing. Seek them out and ask them how they managed the change you're facing. While you might have to hire some change consultants, many are free and as close as the next cubicle or backyard. Divorce, aging, moving, marriage, empty nesting, layoffs, stock market roller coaster rides, and terrible twos - someone near you has been there and done that. You can be a change consultant for someone, too. By the way, realizing your expertise in life reinforces your resiliency.

Change can be exciting and rewarding. Change can catapult you into positive territory you'd never explore without a push. Change can also be an unfathomable sinkhole. Use these tools now and you'll be ready no matter what life has in store. Next month, three more techniques for managing change.

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You are welcome to reprint this article as long as the copyright and contact information are included. Contact Karen Susman at 1-888-678-8818 www.karensusman.com karen@karensusman.com

Karen Susman, Speaker/Author/Coach, works with organizations and individuals that want to maximize their performance and quality of life. Check out her free tips and articles at www.karensusman.com. Karen can be reached at 1-888-678-8818 or karen@karensusman.com.