What comes to mind when you hear the word āchangeā? When we encounter unexpected changes in life, the response by default is often tied up in fear. However, there is always a way to forge ahead, regardless.Ā Ā Ā Ā
It has been said that the law of change is something that has a constant and sometimes dramatic effect on lives. Nobody can escape change. It is a part of life that you cannot run away from. Of the numerous things that one can learn about change, you should know that it is unavoidable. Change could help you grow. It could be scary sometimes, but it can bring great things to you.Ā Ā Ā
How then do you respond to unexpected changes?Ā Ā
According to Lou Holtz, āLife is 10% what happens to you and 90% of how you respond to it.ā How do you handle the changes that pull up on you unexpectedly, leaving you no time to prepare for them, and respond to them?Ā Ā Ā
Unexpected changes could be hard sometimes, but the reality is that they will not remain hard forever. Youāll pull through. Experts say that human beings have what it takes to adapt to change; even unexpected changes. Did you see that? Youāll adapt to it no matter how long it takes because you have what it takes. (Pun not intended)Ā Ā
Fear is how most people respond when confronted with unexpected changesĀ Ā
As mentioned earlier, the default expression of people when they are confronted with unexpected changes is fear.Ā Ā
In no time, your thoughts travel really far and they start to explore the impossibilities that fear has created in your thoughts.Ā Ā Ā
You start panicking, getting nervous and anxious, having many questions at the same time. You struggle to fight the fear of how to navigate this new change thatās before you because you are uncertain about what the unexpected changes have in store for you.Ā Ā Ā Ā
Unexpected changes could be, a change of jobs due to emergencies like resignation from your job. Moving from one city to another within short notice. Being transferred from one branch of your place of work to another. Working on a new project that you know nothing about. Falling in love. The list is endless.Ā Ā
What unexpected changes will do to youĀ Ā
Stretch youĀ Ā
Changes will stretch you. They will bring you out of your comfort zone and make you do things that you never thought you were capable of doing prior to when the change happened. In other words, they enlarge your capacity. You might get tired sometimes, and thatās normal. You might think about quitting and letting go; thatās true. But when you observe closely after a while you would see that your capacity is enlarged and you have grown way beyond how you were before, youāve become better. However, all these come only at a price. The price is the price of being stretched.Ā Ā
Donāt be afraid to explore grounds you havenāt walked on before or arenāt familiar with. Even if youāre afraid, do it anyway, but never throw in the towel.Ā Ā Ā
Five tips on how to manage unexpected changesĀ Ā
1. Acceptance/AcknowledgementĀ
You either deny or accept this change. Acknowledge that the change is right before you, because there is little being in denial will do for you. Settle it within you that youāre ready to face it with all you have. It helps you to be mentally prepared for whatās ahead even if you donāt have the full picture.Ā Ā Ā
2. IdentificationĀ Ā
You should identify what your thoughts are revolving around. There could be an overwhelming feeling, anxiety, nervousness and other emotions that could cripple your ability to embrace the change. Identify those experiences and deal with them appropriately.Ā Ā Ā
3. Leverage your support systemsĀ Ā
When unexpected changes happen, put your support systems to use. This is a point that cannot be overemphasized. You need all the support you can get to get stabilized to an extent.Ā
Harness your friendships. Talk to your friends about your state of mind and let them be your support. Your support systems are people you can bank on to show up for you in one way or another. They are your firelighters, they are the spark that you need to face this change when it appears as if you have become without passion. Put them to use. You donāt have to ruin things because of your desire to independently handle things yourself.Ā Ā Ā
Also, genuinely network with people who youāre meeting at the other end of the change.Ā Ā Ā
4. FlexibilityĀ Ā
Be willing to adjust your thinking or behaviour. Itās a new space with a new experience, you should possess the ability to bend without breaking or losing yourself in the process. Donāt be stiff and decide to stubbornly hold on to how things used to be. Thatās being small-minded. Be open to learning new things. Imagine having to change your location unexpectedly from Osun State to Kaduna for 6 months and youāre Yoruba. Would you say because youāre Yoruba and you didnāt plan all of these from the beginning youāll not make attempt to learn their way of doing things not excluding learning Hausa language.Ā Ā Ā
If youāre like this, youāll be at the receiving end of suffering and not being productive. Why? Because you have chosen not to adjust. Also, donāt be hard on yourself. Allow yourself to see the goodness in what the unexpected changes have in store for you.Ā Ā
5. TeachabilityĀ Ā
Show interest in learning and understanding the new normal that unexpected changes have introduced to you. It will help you move faster than if you have chosen to figure it out by yourself. Learn from the people who have more experience than you. Allow them to guide you. A wise man once said, āInstructions see what you donāt see and guide you on the right pathā.Ā Ā
Above all, you cannot escape change at any point in your life. Be receptive and develop the right attitude to it. How will you start to deal with unexpected change from now on?Ā Ā