How to embrace change at work (and in your life)

In this ever-changing world in which we live, change is the one thing that is guaranteed. However, many people find it very hard to find a way to embrace change at work and in their lives. 

In this article, I will go through the reasons behind this fear of change and why it is key to avoid it in our lives. I will also outline some tips on embracing change to start training your brain on not resisting change any more.

 

Why shouldn’t you resist change anymore?

As we get more accustomed to our routine, it becomes a comfortable place, and we resist any change that disrupts it. This is especially true when we are in a position where change could cause us harm. In other words, the less power you have, the more difficult it will be for you to embrace change.

This is not the case when we have control over the change. Embracing your differences becomes easier when you have control and are not forced into them.

Imagine going back to school to upgrade your skills or learn a new profession. You’re probably going to want to take advantage of this opportunity by embracing this change as best as possible.

Another reason why people resist change is fear. Fear can be one of the most powerful emotions, and when combined with change, it becomes even stronger. Think about the last time you started a new job or changed jobs. You might have been so scared for personal reasons such as what this means for your relationships or financial stability that you resisted taking that job offer. This fear of the unknown makes people afraid of embracing change as they don’t know what will happen next.

 

Why do we resist embracing change? 

There is a biological explanation of why we sometimes feel fear when facing change. This fear response starts in a region of our brain called the amygdala.

But you might be wondering, what is the amygdala?

The amygdala is an almond-shaped mass of gray matter inside each cerebral hemisphere. It is involved with being vigilant to determine the difference, for example, between a snake and a stick. 

Another part of the brain, called the hippocampus, is connected with the amygdala. The hippocampus helps to communicate to the brain the perceived threat. So after the brain interprets the sign of fear, a person would know whether a perceived threat is real or not.

From the beginning of time, there have always been false idols or snakes created by the amygdala. For example, a false God, patriarch, matriarch, government, or authority that the amygdala wants us to believe is taking our life force away. All of that will only be true if we believe what the amygdala wants us to believe.

And the scary part is that this brings lots of fear to our life—fear of enemies, fear of authority, and fear of change.

 

Silencing our amygdala to embrace change at work and in our lives

Wouldn’t it be great if, at the beginning of each day, you took twenty minutes to focus on who you truly are?

If you can’t do that because the amygdala’s noise is too loud, sit down with a journal, write down all of your negative beliefs, and get them off of your heart and mind.

If you don’t challenge the amygdala, it will consume your valuable consciousness. And if you keep going down the path chosen by the amygdala, you will be a victim. You will sell your life short in a victim state of mind, and you will never be satisfied or settled.

“Avoid Resistance at all cost. Resistance is an all-encompassing term for what Freud called Death Wish. Resistance cannot be reasoned with. It understands one thing. Power. Resistance takes on the form of drugs, shopping, TV, gossip, alcohol, drugs, and the consumption of all products containing alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, fat, salt, and sugar. The greatest danger is Resistance knows when the finish line is in the site, and it will throw out one final assault.” – Steven Pressfield – The War Of Art.

 

How to avoid Resistance: 3 steps

Even though change can be difficult, there are ways to embrace it. Here are the three steps we suggest you follow:

• Step 1: Accept that change is going to happen. When you’re not resisting change, you’ll be more open to embracing it.
• Step 2: Find something positive that will come out of the change. This could mean finding a new opportunity or perspective on a situation.
• Step 3: Make a plan for what you’re going to do with the new opportunity or perspective from the change.

One example would be if your job was eliminated due to downsizing. Then, you could use the newfound time on your hands as an opportunity to start freelancing or work on other projects while looking for another job in your field. In some cases, however, it may not be possible to immediately find a way to turn the loss into something positive- but as long as you’re not fighting against it, eventually, something good will come from it!

 

 

 

How to embrace change at work 

One of the best things you can do is prepare yourself for change. And there is no better way of being prepared for change than staying updated.

Here are some tips to stay updated at work and embrace change in all of its forms:

• Staying in touch with your customers,
• Keeping up with trends and technology,
• Reviewing your company’s vision,
• Writing a plan to deal with possible changes,
• Stay on top of the latest developments in your industry,
• Read books and articles to stay informed,
• Keep up with the latest trends in technology,
• Keep your skills updated,
• Connect with others who are embracing change.

 

 

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