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September sees the traditional return to school and return to work after the summer holidays. Although this year is no different in some ways, in many ways it is completely different.
The past few months have brought many challenges to life and this year’s return for many is the return after several months instead of several weeks. It awakens new feelings, fear of change, anxiety about coping with the modifications to our ways of living and working. Many children returning to school are excited at the prospect of being reunited with friends; whilst others are anxious about leaving the security of home for the strange environment of school with social distancing and different practices. And it is no different for the adults!
Some workers are now returning to offices (although many will not be going back this year) and whilst the prospect of returning to a routine is welcome for some, it is not for everyone. There are anxieties about travelling on public transport, worries over social distancing in the office and wearing masks, concern over different working practices and fears over job losses. Life has changed for us all.
This is the first of four articles looking at ways in which we can make the transition easier for ourselves and for others.
Firstly understanding change is essential in helping us to develop resilience and embrace change. Our reaction to change will depend on a number of different factors including our personality, our attitude to work / life, our previous experiences and the other things going on in our lives. When we have a lot going on in our personal life, we need stability in our working life and vice versa. Where there is too much change, we find it harder to cope and quickly become stressed.
We react to change in three different ways:
Pro-actively – we love change, we actively embrace change and will quickly adapt to different situations. Without change, we find life boring and mundane. Around 10% of people react pro-actively to change.
Reactively – we react as we have to deal with change. We are not amongst the first to embrace change, however we understand that to survive and thrive we need to adapt and we will therefore go along with everyone else as they change. Around 80% of people respond reactively to change.
Resistant – we hate change, we cannot see the point of change and will ignore it as long as possible. We are actively opposed to change and will deal with it only when we have no other choice. Around 10% of people are resistant to change.
So think about how you react. Ask yourself how you feel about certain changes, identify why you think this is and how it impacts on you, your relationships and your work. Consider strategies you can use to help you cope with change more effectively.
How do you react to change? Are you pro-active, reactive or resistant?
Secondly, understanding the cycle of the response to change helps us to understand ourselves, our reactions and others’ responses. Whilst there are a number of different models of how we deal with change, the most popular ones now show four different stages:
· Denial – denial that the change is happening, a desire to bury your head in the pillow and ignore the world happening around you. For many change is a shock which they had not anticipated and they hope by ignoring it, it will go away.
· Anger – as realisation of change dawns, people begin to feel angry and resentful. They feel threatened either directly or indirectly by the impact change may bring and look for someone to blame.
· Exploration – as time passes, people begin to understand that the change is not going away and needs to be dealt with. They start to explore the idea of change, appreciate the benefits it may bring and find strategies to deal with problems.
· Acceptance – comes in small steps as we begin to adapt to different ways and the changes that have happened. After a while the change becomes the new ‘normal’ …. At least until the next change!
One day, the change will just become the new 'normal'...
1. Acknowledge that change is happening and is necessary
2. Consider how the change impacts on you and how you feel about it
3. Focus on the positives that change brings
4. Find ways to minimise the disruption to you, your family and your routine
5. If you have little or no control over the change, think of things you can control to make you feel more empowered
6. Talk to others about how you feel and listen to how they feel
7. Be patient with yourself and appreciate it takes time to adapt
8. Consider the impact to your life now, in one month, in six months’ time and in one year – put it into perspective
9. Keep to your regular routine as much as possible
10. Maintain a healthy diet
11. Exercise regularly
12. Be wary of social media which can cause fears of change to explode disproportionally
To learn more about understanding and dealing with change, consider taking a short course - https://www.findcourses.co.uk/training/praeceptor-consulting/understanding-and-implementing-change-1429265