As our nation navigates the shifts from recent elections, many of us are also experiencing personal changes in our lives and careers.
Since transition – whether it’s on a personal or societal level – can be overwhelming, I’d like to share three strategies for thriving through transition, that I discussed in a recent presentation.
Reorient Yourself
Transitions whether planned or unexpected—can make us feel unsettled, overwhelmed or lost.
Creating an inner compass by reconnecting with our core values, purpose, and vision can be incredibly grounding at a time like this.
This inner compass serves as a guide through the fog of uncertainty, helping us clarify our priorities, explore new possibilities and recognize emerging opportunities.
Re-Kindle Your Curiosity
Have you ever noticed the boundless curiosity of children? They see the world as a place of endless possibility, excited to explore everything they encounter!
As adults, though, the stress and anxiety of change can stifle our curiosity. Yet it’s exactly this curiosity that enables us to keep learning and exploring.
In a recent Harvard Business Review article, Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic asserts that building our curiosity muscle is crucial to surviving in today’s rapidly changing work environment.
He suggests that we stimulate our curiosity by
- Changing our routinesto inject some novelty into our lives, which can prompt new ideas and questions.
- Pursuing what sparks excitement by engaging in activities or subjects that naturally intrigue us.
- Experimenting by exploring innovative ideas.
The key to thriving in this time of rapid change is an openness to learn and willingness to adapt to changed circumstances.
By staying curious, we open ourselves up to new ways of thinking, living, and contributing that we may never have considered before.
Renew Your Resilience
Resilience is key when navigating transition. Dr. Rick Hanson, author of Resilient: Find Your Inner Strength, explains that we can build resilience by seeking out and internalizing experiences that make us feel peaceful, appreciated or joyful.
His research shows that when we take the time to install these positive experiences in our brains, it strengthens our ability to recover more quickly from stressful experiences and allows us to attract more such experiences.
POWER TOOL – Renew Your Resilience with SEA
- Seek out Uplifting Experiences – Notice when you have a friendly interaction or how good it feels to wrap up a project. Take a minute to notice a beautiful garden, a sunset or the autumn foliage.
Become aware of the sense of caring when you cuddle with a loved one – including furry children.
Don’t just let those moments pass by. Take a few more seconds to savor them just as you’d savor the taste of your favorite food.
- Embrace the Experience – Focus on how these moments make you feel—whether it’s calm, contentment, joy, or fulfillment. Take in every detail.
- Absorb the Feeling – Consciously choose to take that experience in and allow it to become a part of you, knowing that you can recall this feeling anytime you choose.
Each positive experience we internalize contributes to our core resilience, empowering us to face challenges with greater confidence and optimism.
Thriving Through Transition
Navigating change can be challenging, but with the right mindset and tools, we can not only endure but thrive. By reconnecting to what matters, nurturing our curiosity, and strengthening resilience, we can prepare ourselves to recognize and embrace the opportunities that will emerge.
The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new. – Socrates
