Becoming an Expert at Change Management
Hi friend,
With losing my dad at such a young age, as well as moving across the country 8 times over the last 10 years, launching a new business, and going through a few career pivots, I realize that, in the past, I've really *STRUGGLED* with managing change.
What I mean by struggle is: I often felt isolated, not knowing who to turn to for what, insecure when navigating new territory like entrepreneurship, and overwhelmed with where to start. A lot of times I just felt like the rug was pulled out from underneath me, and I lost who I was during this phase.
Now that I am a mom, a business owner, an international keynote speaker, and both my husband I have big careers, in order to live inside our zone of genius and OWN our day-to-day life (& not the other way around!), I've had to learn to be more confident with managing change - whether it is expected or not.
And, if you are anything like me, then managing CHANGE is a really sticky subject for you.
Here are my tricks for managing a big change – whether it is starting a new job, becoming a new parent, launching a side hustle, or going through a divorce. CHANGE IS HARD, but here are tips to make it a bit easier for you:
1) Raise Awareness – Resistance to change is often brought up because we are unaware of WHY we are going through the change. First and foremost, understanding WHY we are going through the change is key to managing the change. There has to be an underlying reason for you to feel the discomfort you are feeling and identifying that trigger will help you with the next steps.
2) Ask. Listen. & Act - Ask yourself "What do I need right now?" Every hour on the hour, ask yourself “What do I need right now?” Do you need water? Do you need to call a friend? Do you need to get up and stretch your legs? Check in on yourself and follow through with what your body is desiring. Write this question down on a sticky note and make asking this question to yourself a habit. Listen to what your body needs, and act upon it.
3) One thing at a time. Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to do ALL-OF-THE-THINGS. Take each day to tweak something new in your routine, something small as trying one new recipe or going on a 1-mile run instead of a 5-miler. Trying to manage 5 different changes at once is a recipe for disaster and overwhelm - PRACTICE BABY STEPS and master each step before going onto the next.
4) Avoid Doing Life ALONE. AND NO - I don’t mean without a partner or a significant other, that’s not my area of expertise. I mean without trusted people on your side. So many of my clients feel an incredible amount of SHAME when they reach out to me for support. Doing life alone is really boring, lonely, not strategic, and un-fun (is that a word?). Gain a trusted community of friends and experts who have your back no matter what. Surrounding yourself with a diverse community who wants to see you thrive in your life is your TICKET to living your best life.
All change occurs at the thought level, beginning with our choice of INTENT: the intent to protect ourselves from leaning into the newness that may be around you or the intent to learn something new and manage the change with love and support.
Most importantly, do not go through your change alone…. JULY 2020 is an awesome month for you to join our Career By Design Community so you NEVER have to be alone in your journey! Lifetime membership I am ONLY offering this month... for less than the price of a few take out dinners you could literally join a huge family of amazing professionals, just like you!!! Click here to join today!
Let's do this!!!
Be well,
Ash
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Ashlee Klevens Hayes, PharmD, MHA
Career Expert + Interview Prep Coach
e: hello@rxashlee.com
(SHE/HER/HERS)
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