Seven Tips on Coping with Change

It can be unnerving to feel like your life or career has suddenly been thrown for a loop! You might be suddenly promoted into a new position without a great deal of guidance. Even if it’s positive change, it can feel both exciting AND stressful. Or you’re passed over for the promotion and you get that call to the boss’ office only to be told you’re being ‘downsized’ or ‘let go.’ Or maybe you’re just no longer happy doing what you’re doing and know you need to make a change but aren’t sure where to start. Your confidence takes a hit. You’ve been knocked off-track. And you want to get back on track, or even back on the fast-track.

Change does not have to define us. Spiritual author and speaker Deepak Chopra says, “All great changes are preceded by chaos.” And while it’s true – unexpected change can leave us feeling a little overwhelmed, the fact is, change is the one constant in our lives we can’t always control. We can take a deep breath, step forward and “embrace our new normal.” 

How we adapt to change can actually have a very positive effect on our personal growth. We can choose to view change as an opportunity to broaden and deepen our personal experience; to strengthen our own resiliency and become more empathetic of others challenged with the same situation. Rather than being afraid of change or avoiding it, we can use difficult or challenging times to grow. 

Here are some tips I used to navigate my own change which I hope can be useful to you when you’re faced with similar challenges. 

1.     Respond to what you can control. Rather than feeling victimized by the upheaval or challenge facing you, assess what you can manage and take charge of it. In the midst of what you can control, look for positive ways to respond to find viable solutions. When my TV news contract wasn’t renewed, I ended up starting my own Public Relations and Communications firm, and then had the opportunity to join a start-up company teaching professional development for women leaders. That led to executive coaching, certification and credentials, and a full-time coaching practice with fabulous clients.  

2.     Accept that change can be hard. Knowing change may be hard can comfort you when life feels tough. Expecting change will be difficult gives you comfort because you can tell yourself, “This is normal. It’s supposed to be hard. It will get better with time.” 

3.     Be forgiving of yourself. Don’t let guilt get in the way! Know that change can zap your energy – and often your time. Don’t expect to keep up with other areas of your life with the same energy you’ve been able to before. There may be a grieving process to go through while you ‘process’ these changes. 

4.     Stay close to the familiar. As much as possible, keep up with familiar routines like seeing close friends, working, going to the gym, etc. Change can be stressful. Surrounding yourself with friends who care about you, exercising, getting plenty of rest and eating right can help keep you on an even keel. Support matters! 

5.     Don’t resist change. Even though your first reaction may be to run quickly in the other direction, ignore what’s happening, or avoid others in the process, adjust your perspective to view change as an opportunity to grow. You may feel shock, denial, or even deep grief and despair. This is normal. And the process can be slow. But remember, the greater the change, the larger the opportunity for personal growth. 

6.     Ask for help. Some changes are simply harder than others. And there is no shame in asking for help. Really. Suffering silently and alone will do you no good. And family, friends, and colleagues will be there for you! So, let them. I had friends who referred me for new projects, invited me out for coffee, and helped me maintain my network. It helped tremendously by helping me feel connected. 

7.     Find a “new normal.” Change is hard because it doesn’t feel familiar. We’re stepping out of our comfort zone. Establishing a new normal, or new ‘patterns of being’ for our life, will sustain us. The old normal doesn’t exist anymore. And no matter how much we’d like it to, it will never return. Finding ways to embrace the new normal is by far the best option. 

Here’s the great news – YOU are taking control of your response. By developing a “bigger, long-term picture,” it really is possible to learn and gain from change. Celebrate the fact you are moving forward and will build new self-confidence as well as strategies for exploring and expanding your future possibilities!