By now most if not all of you will have heard of the term, “Great Resignation”. It describes the record number of people who are resigning their jobs. Some are moving to other opportunities, but others are not and taking a break from work. The world of work is changing at an extraordinary pace. The old rules no longer apply, and new rules are being written and rewritten all the time.
These changes can be unsettling, whether they’re potential or actual, positive, or negative. You may be gearing up for a promotion, staring at a wide-open field of new prospective clients, or launching new products and services. Or you may be hunkering down in the face of outsourcing, downsizing, mergers, takeovers, and local and global competition.
How We Respond to Change
As soon as something nudges you out of your regular routine or challenges your understanding of how the world works and where you fit into it, it will likely trigger a deluge of feelings, including fear, anxiety, overwhelm, excitement, distraction, or denial.
In turn, these feelings can manifest in your behavior. You may, unconsciously, act out with aggressive or passive-aggressive communication, both at work and home. You might feel compelled to push yourself and others to overwork, or take the opposite approach and procrastinate, avoiding the work that’s on your plate.
On a personal level, your self-care may suffer. You may reach for unhealthy substances or behaviors, get less sleep, skip meals or overindulge. You might cut yourself off from friends and family and spend more time alone or with other people who have unhealthy habits.
The Impact
Both positive and negative stress can have immediate and long-term detrimental effects. Stress inhibits proper digestion and the absorption of nutrients impairs your body’s ability to ward off germs and illness, can cause insomnia and is guaranteed to worsen any preexisting health conditions. If you’re also engaging in unhealthy behaviors and poor self-care, you’re at an even higher risk for serious illness and injury.
Dealing with change requires flexibility, resilience, and an ability to think on your feet. Unfortunately, when you’re caught up in your reaction to change, these mental abilities are affected as well. When you’re preoccupied, worried, and focused on the future instead of the present, it’s much harder to concentrate and apply your brainpower to what’s in front of you.
Great leaders are admired for their serenity and confidence even in the face of uncertainty and upheaval. For many of us, though, when change is afoot serenity is far from our reach. Instead, emotions are much closer to the surface and can flare up at the most inopportune times. Whether you lash out, cry, or pound on your desk behind closed doors, it’s incredibly uncomfortable to feel so out of control.
Consider, also, the impact on the people around you. Emotional outbursts, whether at work or home, can irrevocably damage your effectiveness, your reputation, and your relationships.
Strategies for Success
Here are five strategies to help you remain flexible, resilient, and serene in the face of change:
1. Take care of your body. Eat well, sleep well and refrain from harmful habits like smoking, excessive drinking, recreational drugs, or other risky behavior.
2. Take care of your mind. Stay in the present moment by practicing deep breathing and/or meditation. Challenge your negative thinking and keep things in perspective; when the doom and gloom set in, ask, “How important is this, really?”
3. Keep your emotions in check. Find reasons to smile and laugh, even when you don’t feel like it—especially when you don’t feel like it! Funny movies, blogs, or videos can help. Vent your negative feelings by exercising, banging on a drum, or pounding on a pillow.
4. Treat others well. Strengthen your good relationships so you can draw on their support and work at your challenging relationships, so they don’t add to your stress.
5. Take charge. Be proactive and prepare the best you can for the changes that might come, but then accept the reality of the moment. Think back to other challenges that you’ve come through and remind yourself that everything will work out okay this time, too.
Don’t forget to tune into our new podcast. Our latest podcast episode examines a forgotten superpower we all have, curiosity. You can find the latest episode here. Please feel free to pass it on to anyone whom you think might find it useful.
Irvine@IrvineNugent.com | 202-684-5269
Washington, DC
Irvine Nugent is a proven executive leader, body language and leadership presence expert, and keynote speaker who helps leaders increase their Emotional Intelligence. Irvine specializes in helping leaders engage more effectively with their employees, colleagues, clients, customers, and contacts. His keynote speaking abilities combine a distinct onstage personality with unmatched authority in his area of expertise, making him the perfect keynote speaker for corporate events or conferences.
