Originally published on Forbes.com on December 11, 2017.
It’s been said that change is the one constant in life. As much as people want comfortable circumstances to stay the same, they can rarely stop the flow of events that shake up the status quo.
This is especially true in today’s rapidly evolving business world. Every day, new technologies and trends open new opportunities to succeed – or to fail. Although the unknown possibilities that come with change can be frightening, surviving in this environment means learning to quickly adapt to and embrace change, rather than meeting it with resistance.
To help professionals rewire their minds, Forbes Coaches Council members shared these 12 tips for overcoming your natural aversion to change.
1. Learn To Be More Open And Flexible
The older I get, the wiser I become about embracing change rather than resisting it. Change is one of the natural flows of life that occurs often, even when we don’t want it to. Being open and flexible to change has helped me to rewire my approach by going along or embracing change versus trying to control it. After all, change can be a good thing! Go ahead, change your lenses; you will see it, too. – Arlene Donovan, Turning Point Coaching LLC
2. Find The Strength Within Your Resistance
Some people naturally meet change with resistance, and that’s OK. Some people have innate strengths to stabilize, reduce risks and protect what is working, and others have instincts to drive change, experiment and explore options. If you are resisting change because you are risk averse, you might start by assessing risk, researching or planning. Then, enlist help to drive the change. – Andrea MacKenzie, Lead With Harmony
3. Ask Yourself What It Is You’re Resisting
Resistance is a normal reaction, so acknowledge that it’s OK. Then begin to overcome it by exploring, “What am I resisting?” Be specific and honest with yourself. Often, what we resist is categorized into what we can and cannot control. Focus on what you can control (including your gradual acceptance of the change and finding others who can help) and try to let go of what you can’t control. – Bonnie Davis, Destination Up
4. Realize You Don’t Fear Change, You Fear Loss
Change is a situational event, like losing one’s job or gaining a new boss. Resistance occurs during the transition, a psychological process of acknowledging what is ending, navigating the uncertainty, then embracing what is possible in the new beginning. Strengthening support networks, anchoring one’s purpose, increasing self-compassion, and actualizing strengths can all minimize resistance. – Cynthia Kivland, The Smart2Smarter Leadership Institute
5. Adopt A Learning Mindset
Everything changes. That’s one of the few truths we can count on to stay true. Resisting change is resisting reality. Instead of working so hard to keep things the same, how can you befriend this fact of life? When a surfer gets tense riding a wave, they fall. When a leader gets tense adapting to change, they fail. Declare your vision. Adopt a learning mindset in every situation. Adapt. Enjoy. – David Butlein, Ph.D., BLUECASE Strategic Partners
6. Look For What You Can Learn Now To Welcome Change In The Future
Resisting change is futile because it is going to happen whether we like it or not. We should operate with a change mindset that says tomorrow’s jobs are on today’s drawing boards. Change allows us to be innovative. Many jobs that exist now were never thought of 10 years ago. Now is the time to learn as much as we can, stay engaged in our industry, and welcome change when it comes. – Daisy Wright, The Wright Career Solution, Brampton/Toronto
7. Consider The Upsides Of Change
Resistance stems from fear, and for many, fear is caused by change. For some, it may be fear of the unknown or repeating a negative experience. We use resistance as a way to protect ourselves, but it limits us and our experiences. Instead of looking at the limitations and risks that come with change, try looking at change as the very thing that opens the door to your next opportunity. – Gina Gomez, Gina Gomez, Business & Life Coach
8. Consult A Mentor Or Coach
It seems nobody likes change. As creatures of habit, we run from change and often don’t embrace its reality. A coach offers outside intervention to ensure your accountability and provides the reality check you need to embrace reality with productive action and behaviors. Hanging onto the past and denying change doesn’t stop it. Top leaders hire mentors and coaches. So should you. – John M. O’Connor, Career Pro Inc.
9. Consider Change Management A Career-Defining Soft Skill
Human nature dictates that we don’t like change without our control. We want to first understand the need for change, then be an active participant. So, the best way to rewire how we see change is to realize that in today’s economy, where most companies have change initiatives in place, the ability to manage change is a highly regarded soft skill. Embrace change by becoming a “change champion.” – Mark S. Babbitt, YouTern
10. Choose To Believe Change Serves You
All beliefs are choices and thoughts we have created. For example, if you think change is scary, hard or difficult, it will be. Start choosing to believe change is something that serves you. For example, you can choose to believe “change is easy,” “change is fun” or “change brings me amazing opportunities.” When you choose your perspective, you can easily rewire your internal system around change. – Regan Hillyer, Regan Hillyer International
11. Accept Your Resistance To Change
It’s normal human behavior to resist change. First, we need to accept and appreciate that fact. This will help us to be open to working on the thoughts and beliefs that we have about change. These limiting beliefs must be changed in order to rewire ourselves to stop meeting change with resistance. Your emotions can help you identify what thoughts you have, and then address the resistance you feel. – Laurie Sudbrink, Unlimited Coaching Solutions, Inc.
12. Ask Yourself What You Would Do If You Wanted Change To Work
When I catch myself in these situations, I acknowledge what is creating resistance and then challenge myself to identify what I would do if I wanted this change to work. The hardest part is often identifying when I am resisting and name it as such. Once I name it, it becomes much easier for me to switch perspectives and identify what could make it work for me. – Steffan Surdek, Pyxis Cultures