Feeling Anxious? Uncertain? Unmoored? Oh, Hello, Change.
My work situation has shifted recently, and I’m still getting used to the pros (amazing people, inspiring mission, exceptional culture) and cons (two words: compliance videos—plus new processes and red tape that I’m not used to) of the change. At the beginning of this transition, I was having sleepless nights and was anxious and pretty darn grumpy. I mentioned this over coffee with my husband, Matt. He smiled at me. “It’s just change, honey. It’s just change.”
Matt is right, of course. For every new project, client, or job we accept, we have to find our footing. Lots of questions may come up during a transition: Was saying “yes” the right decision? Does my discomfort mean I should have said no? Is this a good fit? Will I ever feel normal again?
Answering these questions, and many more, has helped me pinpoint some solid strategies for getting through this tricky time. In case you’re experiencing disequilibrium, too, I’m sharing five strategies that should help you make it through the turbulence of change.
Expect to feel uncomfortable. When Matt pointed out that my insomnia was caused by my new work situation, he stopped short of adding, “duh.” But he was stating the obvious: We should all expect to feel discomfort when we step outside our comfort zone into something new. Simply acknowledging it is a good way to start regaining your balance.
Reframe your thinking. Sure, it’s a bummer if your new schedule means you have to skip a weekly hike to attend a weekly meeting on Friday mornings. It’s a good time to remind yourself of the “big picture” reasons why you took this opportunity in the first place. If you need to, make a list!
Get curious. Working with a new company or client probably means learning new systems. Whether you’re switching from a Mac to a PC, ditching Google for Outlook, using a new time-tracking platform, or getting up to speed with compliance videos, don’t get frustrated. Get curious. What can I learn? How might this new thing be even better than how I did it before?
Watch your language. Instead of saying (out loud or even to yourself), “Now I have to learn X” or “Now I have to do Y,” say, “I GET to learn X” or “I GET to do Y.” This small but powerful language shift propels you into a growth mindset and strengthens your resilience muscle. Nothing influences your response to change more than your own perception of it, so use language that redefines frustration as an opportunity. It sounds simple, but it really works.
Be kind to yourself. Ease up and have a little compassion for yourself during this time. Just giving yourself room to feel the discomfort and work through it can pave the way out of your anxious feelings. Treat yourself as if you were a friend who was feeling vulnerable or unmoored. Be conscious of your triggers … and also what can bring you back to center (for me, it’s a hike with my dog). Plan that recovery time into your week.
Working with a new company or team is exciting and exhausting. When you expect to feel both, you can make conscious choices that help you navigate the transition better and find your footing faster.
Does your company or team need help navigating change? Live Bright Now can help. Drop us a line.