National, State or Local political outcomes may not be what you had hoped for. Or you’ve received your invitation to the inauguration ceremony, swearing in or oath taking and are tickled pink about it.
What some referred to for the past 4-8 years as the New Normal will be a fond memory. There will be those who reminisce about the “the good old days” while others say, “Thank goodness those crazy times are over. Let’s repair what’s broken or die trying.”
Perhaps you chose to ignore the political battleground. I guarantee that there will be change for everyone in 2017 even if you didn’t vote.
Change is inescapable. John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
I don’t want to miss the future and I choose to embrace the present. The past is over. All that we can change about the past is how we remember it. Stories about past adventures, mistakes and successes grow richer in every retelling. However, I usually cast myself in a bigger starring role with each recitation.
Maybe your 2017 change will come as a corporate restructure, right-sizing, retrenching or layoff. Your political views will not have anything to do with your 2017 changes.
Maybe the change will be in your health, home life, marital status or in the life of someone you cherish, perhaps they are a dear friend, a family member or in one of your work colleagues.
The bottom line for everyone is that “Change is Ahead.” How we adapt, accept and manage change is the key to a prosperous and serene life.
When facing change, whether it’s wanted or mandatory, I remind myself of how I managed recent life adjustments. Change brings fear of the unknown. There are five poor ways to face fear:
- Fight: Refusal to accept a new plan. Active resistance.
- Flight: Run away. Maybe that comes as a job resignation.
- Fold: Give in. Stumble forward. Head down . Keep out of the firing line. Passive-aggressive.
- Fake-It: Lie about acceptance. Continue to perform as if nothing had happened.
- Freeze:You take no action towards or away from change. You hope for a reprieve.
Ask yourself how are you going to prosper, despite forced changes in 2017.
Use the HOW PROCESS. The process is simple. Embrace the HOW when it comes to change, be: Honest, Open and Willing:
Honest with yourself and others.
Open to new ideas, methods, ways of thinking and new action.
Willing to do the work necessary to implement changes to the best of your ability.
As author and motivational speaker, Brian Tracy says, “Develop an attitude of Gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.”
Mary Redmond is a negotiation expert that provides workshops, presentations and coaching for companies and organizations. She is a well-known professional speaker, author and consultant that can help you achieve success.