Arghh!#z//!*#^! New regulations are causing more paperwork and less time for your real job; your organization is merging with another and no one knows how the restructuring will ultimately affect them.

Meanwhile, there’s constant change on the home front, too. Perhaps you’ve got a seriously ill parent who needs care, or your child is graduating from high school and you will soon have an empty nest to deal with, or maybe you’re getting a divorce.

Does some of this sound familiar (especially if you substitute a few of the details)? It should, because this is life in the 21st century – fast-paced, constantly changing and potentially full of stress. How you deal with the continual changes taking place in your life makes a great difference on your mental, emotional and physical well-being—in your work, your relationships and with your health.

When faced with change, you can be tense, experiencing stress-induced physical symptoms, depressed and angry, or you can experience joy (as well as all the other emotions), feel healthful and know that you are doing well considering your circumstances. It all depends on your ability to adapt and follow-through.

There are skills you can learn to confidently cope with change. These competencies will enhance your ability to live a healthy, happy, and productive life, no matter what kind of transition you’re going through.

Positive Coping

One of the first aspects of handling constant change effectively is to learn to use positive coping strategies. These are behaviors, attitudes, and activities that reduce your stress without compromising your health. For example, playing tennis, taking a hot bath, meditating, or pulling weeds are good ways of coping. When you find enjoyable activities that help you deal with the stresses of change, you will be using positive coping behaviors.

Overeating, consuming large quantities of caffeine, alcohol or other drugs, or becoming a serious couch potato are examples of negative coping behaviors. Abusive behavior, constant sleeping, or isolating yourself from others are also ways that detract from your ability to deal triumphantly with transitions. Yet, these are some of the typical behaviors many people use to avoid taking charge of their lives when they find their changing circumstances overwhelming.

When you are able to take charge of your life—the part that you can control—you will find that the changes taking place don’t affect you as seriously as before.

Fear

One of the greatest roadblocks to success in handling transitions is fear. It could be fear of risk-taking, fear of the unknown, or any number of fears. Allow yourself to feel the fear, then let go of it, so that it won’t paralyze you. Fear is good in small doses. It awakens you to a possible danger and signals that something different needs to be done. Most people, however, tend to hold onto their fear long past its positive effects. Then fear becomes a hurdle that makes their lives more stressful and complicated.

Negative coping mechanisms are often used to cover up fears. Even if your fear is so subtle that you are now saying, “But I don’t have any fear!” it can stop you from making the choices best for you. Learn how to overcome the fear, whether it’s blatant or subtle, so that it won’t become the greatest barricade of all to your success in any endeavor.

Risk Taking

Taking risks to make pro-active changes will enhance your ability to act in positive ways. When you discover how to view risk-taking with awe and excitement rather than dread and worry, it will make a major difference in your ability to move forward. Making an action plan, taking small concrete steps, and getting the support you need are all part of confidently cope with transitions.

Perspective

If you can change your mind-set to be positively focused, vs. negatively worried, this will help immensely. By adjusting your perspective, you can make any decision a winning one. You can find peace of mind as you discover the learning or “silver-lining” in a dark time.

When you are able to focus on where you are now, you will find greater contentment. You’ll notice that when you concentrate fully on the task, discussion, or even emotion that is at hand, much of your stress will disappear. Your stress expands as you worry about the “what if” rather than dealing with the “what is.”

A Final Note

Begin to appreciate what you have now, without fear about possible negative outcomes or comparison of today with “the good ‘ol days.” Often the small delights in our lives can be forgotten when we’re in times of change. And yet, they should be remembered so that you can feel good when the earth is moving beneath you.

When you are able to use positive coping strategies, overcome the blocks of fear, and bring greater focus on each moment, you will begin having an accepting and appreciating philosophy. Your life can then be full of joy even in our fast-paced, high-stressed and ever-changing times.

For support, help, encouragement in helping YOU confidently cope with change, contact:

Suzy Allegra, entrepreneur, artist, coach, and author of How to Be Ageless: Growing Better, Not Just Older!, and Where’s Your Organization’s HEART? Questions to Propel Your Business to Greatness. Suzy helps organizations pump up their bottom line and expand their heart through employee retention. Through her art-based presentations and other media tools, clients learn how to lead more productive and fulfilling lives. She can be reached at: (602) 331-3929; toll-free: (866) JOY2AGE, or email: suzy@suzyallegra.com

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