This article was last updated on March 14, 2022
If you are intimidated by change, you are not alone. Some people thrive on change. They look at it as a new challenge or adventure. Other people, probably most people, fear change. They fear that it will disrupt their routine and the normalcy of life. Like it or not, change is inevitable in both your personal and professional life. There is no doubt about it, some changes aren’t fun. But there are many changes that are beneficial to you and those changes will help you grow. If you find it difficult to adapt to change, here are some positive ways to look at change in a new light and allow it into your life.
Why Change is Beneficial to Your Success and Growth
Change Forces You to be Flexible
Flexibility is an important and desirable quality in a person and change can produce that quality. You will become an adaptable person. When change hits you hard, you won’t have any excuses. When you move away from home, you learn how to live – whether you’re 18 or 65 years old. Living in a new place is difficult, but you learn the language or the culture or even just the easiest route to the grocery store, because you are able to adapt to changes. This adaptability is what makes you a stronger person. Flexibility is good, not only for your personal life, but in your profession as well. Think about interview questions. A future employer will ask you how you would respond to unexpected situations. They want to know how flexible you are! So think of change as a growing experience – something that will make you more adaptable and flexible.
Change Makes You Appreciate the Things You Took for Granted
Change can produce gratefulness in you. There are every day, positive things that happen to us that we ignore because it is mundane in our lives. Change can make you realize the things you took for granted. And then, you will know what kind of things, people or places you want in your life. This will help you move forward from change. So, not only will you be thankful for the things you had, but you will also be ready and confident for the future.
Change Will Help You Succeed
Just look at any business that has been around for more than a decade and you will see all of the changes that business had to go through. From implementing Internet services to going paperless, companies need change to become better for customers and clients. Technology is forever changing, so businesses (and individuals, too!) need to embrace developments and move forward. When you are open to change, it is appreciated by the people outside of you or your company and success is not far away.
Change Brings About New Opportunities
When change hits you hard, look at the bright side. Think of it as an opportunity to do some different or something new. Maybe you will have the opportunity to take the high road or to be kind to someone. Maybe you will finally be able to pursue your dream job. Perhaps you will have the opportunity you have been waiting for to move to a different country or learn a new language. It could be that your company needs to move in a different, but better, direction. The possibilities could be endless when change comes your way. Make the most of these opportunities and act on them!
It may be that change is not happening to you, but you want to change. Sometimes you just need the courage to take those first few steps. Here are some tips for you if you want to change but you don’t know where to start:
Make Small, Purposeful Changes
Again, change is difficult and it can be frightening. If you are afraid of implementing a big change in your life, start by making some small changes. These small changes could be anything. Change up the some of the décor in your house and transition from season to season. This is not a difficult task and it can also leave you more open to bigger changes. If you need to, you can change your lifestyle to become more fit and healthy. Make a goal to run a 10k race. Try a new diet for a month and see if you feel better overall. This can allow you to view change as a good thing!
Be Humble
You might be afraid of change because it will affect the way others see you. Don’t be afraid of what people think! Let go of the pride that you may have and be willing to make mistakes. Everyone messes up sometimes. Allow yourself some grace and prepare yourself for the possibility of failure. This will only make you a stronger person! Just be sure to learn from mistakes. Ask yourself this question: “Am I learning?” If the answer is “yes”, you’re on the right track.
Change is never easy, but it is almost always a good thing. If you have experienced change, embrace it and make it work for you. If you want to change something in your life, start by making small changes and don’t be afraid to fail! Success and growth are just around the corner when you stop rejecting change and start accepting it instead.
Photo source: Moyan Brenn
