How to Embrace Change, Even When You Don't Want To

Change is inevitable.  Now matter what business you are in or what you do, things are going to and will have to change.  If anything is for certain in today's fast-paced world, it is change.

And sometimes change happens when it is not needed, or at least when YOU don't think it is needed.

So how do you embrace change, even when you don't want to?  Over the years, I've come up with a set or principles to help me do this.

1.)  It's Not About You

The first challenge in embracing change is to separate yourself from it and realize that you are not the only one affected.  You have to take a holistic view and look at how it affects all involved, especially in business.  Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it isn't in the best interest of the business as a whole.  Only once you have looked at things objectively from this level, can you logically move forward.

2.)  Accept Reality

I teach investors how to trade in the markets and one of the things that I start with is the 4 Phases of the market.  Disgust, Disbelief, Acceptance, Euphoria.  In the markets, when there is a downturn, you get "disgust."  Then usually the market rallies in "disbelief."  This is the stage where the market finds some footing and people can't believe that pain they are going through in losing money is over, so they are skeptical.  But, after a little while seeing the market stay at or above a certain level, they begin to "accept" it and that when things start to get back to normal again.  Then, of course, the emotions of fear and greed take over and your get into the last stage of "euphoria" where you get irrational exuberance and people taking more risk fueling the market higher until it doesn't any more - then the cycle starts over.

It's the same with change.  Initially when big changes happen, there is disgust.  It is then followed by disbelief - "Can this really be happening?"  "Are we really doing this?"  But, eventually, people accept it and move forward.  Now, you can either choose to thrive in the new reality that you have to live in or you can sit on the sidelines.  Reality will always win - so the sooner you can get to acceptance of reality and find a way to thrive in the new change, the more successful you (and your business) will be.  Beware of euphoria though, which is when people get so swept up in the new changes that they become emotionally charged and make all decisions from emotion instead of using logic.  You must balance the two.

3.)  Don't Go It Alone

Change can be tough, don't stick yourself on an island.  You need to voice your thoughts and opinions around it and have an outlet to discuss all sides as well as get independent feedback.  This is where having mentors, personal advisers, or people that you can go to outside of the group involved in your business and talk things through with them.  An objective, independent voice is important when going through change.  It will give you different perspective and open your eyes to things you may have not thought about before.  Most importantly, it will give you an outlet to let your emotional side out and work through.

Change, especially big change, always has it challenges, but using the principles above, I have been able to navigate major changes and complete business overhauls while coming out successful on the other side.  Put them to work for you and see the difference they make the next time you have a big change in your life.