Take Charge of Change

Cathy Stucker, IdeaLady.com
Copyright 2003, Cathy Stucker

Learn how to accept the change you cannot control,
manage the change you can control, and
make change a positive force in your life.

Everyone has experienced change. Fear of change can keep us from experiencing our lives to the fullest. But refusing to acknowledge it doesn't insulate us from having to experience change; instead, we just give up control of our own destinies. Have you ever put off making a decision, only to have one made for you?

Events of change can range from joyous to tragic, but even happy changes often involve stress.

The key to dealing with stress is feeling in control of your life. You can reduce stress and improve the quality of your life when you put yourself in the driver's seat. Even when change is imposed on you, your attitude about facing the change and making positive choices will make the best of your situation.

You can put these nine Principles of Change to work for you to take charge of the changes that affect you and control your own destiny.

Keep your sanity and perspective. As hard as it may be at the time, even the worst circumstance will pass. Puffing small problems out of proportion makes them harder to face.

Use your spirituality and strength of character. In times of change, our reserves of inner strength can pull us through.

Acknowledge your rights and responsibilities, to yourself and others. Take care of yourself, even pamper yourself, when you are in the throes of change, but don't neglect your responsibilities to those around you.

Don't do it alone. Take advantage of the support and resources available to you. Need someone to brainstorm solutions with? Someone to provide information you lack? Or just a shoulder to cry on?

Face the fear, and discover you have the courage to overcome it. It's OK to be afraid, just don't use your fear as an excuse to stay trapped somewhere you shouldn't be.

Use your imagination and creativity to develop win/win solutions. While sometimes our needs and wants will seem to be in direct opposition to someone around us, it's not always true that someone else has to lose for you to win. Find the solution that helps both of you get what you want. You may not both get everything you want, but you can both walk away happy.

Be flexible. Focus on what is really important: the results you want. Don't get hung up on the means of getting there, and don't sweat the small stuff.

Know what you want, and actively choose it. You can't get what you want if you don't know what it is.

Make a plan and take action. You've probably heard that if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Having a plan keeps you focused on results and moving toward your goals.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't wait for your life to happen to you. Go out and seize the life you want!

"Things do not change, we do."
Henry David Thoreau

"Life belongs to the living, and he who lives
must be prepared for changes."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"Don't tell me worry doesn't do any good. I know better.
The things I worry about don't happen."
Anonymous

"There is nothing permanent except change."
Heraclitus

Article Source: http://articles411.com

As the Idea Lady, Cathy Stucker can help you attract customers and make yourself famous. Get a free tip every Tuesday when you subscribe to Bright Ideas at www.IdeaLady.com

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated