The company whose workouts I’ve been doing since 2002, and who I partnered with in 2008 to build a side hustle, is changing their name. The announcement came a couple days ago and I’d be lying if I said I was jumping up and down excited about it. Your girl isn’t a huge fan of change, especially when something has been part of your life for 20 years. (More on this name change topic in another post I’m currently working on for later this week.) For the sake of reminiscing the good ol days…this pic was just over 20 years ago (September 2002)…the weekend we went to Santa Monica, CA and met Tony Horton in person for the very first time.
But for this post, I want to dive into how to embrace and accept change. Because truthfully, I’m needing to sort through some of my feelings about this change and writing about it helps me think through it!
Change is inevitable. Learn to embrace and accept it.
If we look at our hobbies, friends, clothes, taste in music, TV shows, family, and career, many of those things have changed. The people around you have changed. The political climate has changed. Change can bring fear, doubt, and uncertainty. However, it’s not helpful to view change negatively. In order to survive, it’s necessary to embrace and accept change.
There are new experiences and understandings to be gained as a result of the changes in your life. If you never changed, you’d still be playing in the sandbox at the playground and eating dirt.
If you’re finding it difficult to embrace changes in your life, using these strategies can help:
1. Understand that life is always changing.
Life is always changing and evolving. It’s the very nature of life. Think about how much you’ve changed since you were an infant. Your body and view of the world have changed considerably over the years. Change is a natural part of life.
2. See change as a positive thing.
Imagine how bored you would be if nothing ever changed. Life would become monotonous and boring. You’d never feel challenged or experience new things. Dealing with change teaches you about yourself.
3. See the opportunities that the change provides.
There are positive aspects to the changes you’re currently facing in your life. You just have to look for them and learn to embrace and accept the change. For example, losing a job provides many opportunities. You can change careers. Find a better company. Find a better paying job. Get away from that annoying coworker. Move someplace new. You’ll have more free time for a while to spend on your family and hobbies. A divorce can be traumatic, but it also brings new opportunities. Perhaps you’ll be able to move into a new how and find more suitable partner. When you put that challenging relationship behind you’ll have more control of your free time and likely be happier.
4. Imagine a positive outcome.
It’s easier to deal with change if you can visualize a positive outcome. See a compelling picture in your mind. When you feel stressed, go back to that picture. A positive expectation for the future can be motivating.
5. Pay attention to what you can control.
Any situation that involves change has elements that can be controlled and others that cannot be controlled. You can control your attitude, decisions, actions, and usually several other things. There are also elements beyond your control. It’s important to spend your time and energy on the things you can control. Focusing on the things you can’t control can leave you feeling depressed and powerless.
6. Change makes you stronger.
The organisms that have survived the most successfully are those that are best able to adapt. Organisms that can’t adapt become extinct. Humans are excellent at adapting. We just don’t like to do it! Every change we overcome makes us a stronger person.
7. What other options do you have besides making the best of it?
Chances are, any options considered will all involve some type of change as well. Many times, you can choose which change you want, and you can take action to make it happen. Most people avoid or fight change when it occurs, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Change can bring amazing opportunities! It can bring new ideas, people, and experiences.
Life is too short to live the same day over and over. Be grateful for the changes happening in your life. You might be on the path to something new and wonderful.
