5 Tips for Dealing with Change

Dealing with change can be one of the most stressful parts of our lives. It’s no news flash that we live in a world of change.  From our own homes, to the places we work, and all the way to the level of international culture, politics, and business, change has become the one thing we can be sure of.  Having a toolkit to better handle the frequent changes in life is becoming as important as the connections we maintain with our smartphones.  Here’s some tools to add to yours.

Keeping Change in Perspective

Humans are egocentric beings.  We filter what’s going on around us through our own eyes.  Sometimes, that means we have inaccurate perspectives about what’s happening in our own little part of the world.  It’s easy to feel like we’re the only one who is experiencing the drama or trauma around us.

Stop.  Take a moment to raise your eyes from your two square feet of the earth and get in touch with the rest of your home.  Or workplace.  Or country.

Making the effort to see the world through other people’s eyes can create an enormous shift in your own feelings.  A perfect example is the change that’s happening in cultures all over the world.  While China has seen a huge increase in tourism, to the vast majority of the world it remains only a vague concept.  Probably the most common notion that we’ve all heard is how cheap Chinese labor has affected world markets.  But Financial Times recently did a series on “The End of The Chinese Miracle.” It vividly illustrates how change in our world’s commerce models has affected millions of Chinese citizens.  Once confident of a better life and prosperity, they now worry. Just as you and I do.  The video here is one of the most moving and educational I’ve ever seen, and is only one part of a series.

Five Simple Tools For Dealing With Change

1. Gain perspective. While it may feel like you’re the only one going through this, you’re not.
2. Yes, we all want more of the “good life.”  In the process of striving for it, remember to want what you already have, rather than being solely focused on having what you want.
3. Return to nature. Our roots are not in the concrete and physical creations around us, they are in the earth beneath.   Take time to embrace the natural world and all the beauty it contains.
4. Some of the best therapy is in helping others.  Or, maybe it’s just a hug or a smile or a simple “thank you” that changes someone  else’s life and yours at the same instant.
5. No matter who you are, all your times at bat won’t net a home run.  Change and setbacks happen.   Maintain the attitude that the current change is just part of your life story playing out and whatever is next will not only be perfect for you but an exciting new adventure.

“Change” image adapted from  Conal Gallagher