Recently there have been a lot of changes in my life, and I realized that I’m resisting accepting and adapting to them. I’m happy with the familiar and staying in my comfort zone and don’t want things to change. However, this resistance is just making everything more difficult.
While visiting my grandchildren recently we played a game where we looked at all the things that have changed since I was a child. We talked about the amazing conveniences and technology they have now, that didn’t exist when I was young. It was a fun and educational exercise for them, and a new awareness for me. I was astonished to realize how much things had changed, and how I had actually let go of the old, moved on to the new, and created a different comfort zone with these new things. I became aware of how much change we all have to adapt to, every day!
So, this month I’m reflecting on the importance of being flexible and adaptable in my business and personal life. When a new idea or technology comes along, my first inclination is to say, “No thanks, I don’t need that. The old way works fine.” However, that may not be completely true. The old way may have worked fine in the past, but does it still, and will it in another year or two?
Will clinging to the old way make my life easier, or put me at a disadvantage? In business, my competitors will probably be using the new methods, which will help them serve their clients faster and more conveniently. What will happen to me if I don’t keep up and can’t provide better service too?
In my personal life, doing things the way I have always done them might feel safe, but it will interfere with my enjoyment or interaction with my family and friends. For example, if I choose to not learn how to operate my technology devices such as the video part of my phone (which I am sorely tempted to do because I HATE IT when an inanimate object gets the best of me!) I will lose the incredible joy I get from preserving and sharing special moments in the lives of my children and grandchildren. Do I really want to do that, just because it’s a challenge to learn the new way? Probably not!
Also, if I’ve noticed that when some people become negative or toxic, is it smart to keep them in my life just because they’ve been there for a while? Again, probably not!
I know that even with positive changes, there is sometimes grief in letting go of what was as I incorporate the new.
I understand that in the process of letting go, or of changing, I might experience the stages of the grief process. I’m prepared to deal with the shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and final acceptance because it will eventually lead me to a happier place.
So I’ve decided to stop clinging to what feels familiar and safe. Stop looking back at how “it’s always been”. Instead, I will look forward, adopt a positive attitude, believe I can do it, and embrace the changes life brings.
Sandy Abell
Sandy is a best-selling author, life and business coach, speaker, and Licensed Counselor. She specializes in working with professionals, entrepreneurs, and people dealing with life transitions, and is the author of the Amazon bestseller Feeling Good About You and Moving Up To Management for New Supervisors (both available on Amazon.com). Please visit Sandy on her website at www.insidejobscoach.com to check out her books and free resources, and sign up for her free newsletters.
