How will you ride the waves of change: with a life jacket or a surfboard?
By Kara Jorvig
January is behind us. Yet, many of us are still in that New Year’s Day frame of mind. We feel the desire to pause and reflect on our goals and intentions for the coming year. The introspective work we typically do in those first few days of January remains incomplete. Why?
2020 was a wake-up call about change. If we hadn’t learned this truth already, last year showed us over and over that no matter how hard we try to plan out our lives, change is the only constant. We understand its inevitability, but we never really know how it will impact us.
A lot of people are experiencing change fatigue; they are tired of making plans only to watch them upturned over and over again. Even the most motivated people are tired. Instead of mapping out a plan for an exciting future, we start preparing our safety net. We search for ways to avoid the waves of change or soften their impact.
It’s time to think differently about how we navigate change. Change can rock us to our core, but it also can disrupt us with passion and inspiration. We get to choose whether it alters our lives positively or negatively.
No matter what day or month of the year it is, you get to choose. Here are four steps you can take to embrace change as you set your goals.
- Tap into your feeling state. Before you can move forward, it’s vital to be aware of where you are today. How is your energy level, your enthusiasm, your confidence? Carve out some time for meditation or journaling to quiet your mind and connect with yourself. The way you feel profoundly impacts your ability to reach for something new. You may discover that you need to rest or refuel before you are ready to charge forward.
- Cast your vision. When the waves of change hit hard, it’s not enough to have goals. You need to have an unshakeable vision of what you want and where you’re going. Set aside at least an hour to envision your goals in action. What does your life look and feel like once you have accomplished them? Vision boards are excellent tools for capturing this picture and giving yourself a tool to refer to throughout your journey. When the waves of change come, and they will, it’s easy to lose sight of your goals. Having a clear vision of the future you desire will keep you focused and help you take the right actions.
- Re-examine what no longer serves you. For things to change, you have to change. What is keeping you from positive change? For some, it may be fear. Others may be blocked by the approach they take to work or the belief that everything in their lives is outside their control. By taking a hard look at these factors, you can identify opportunities to break through.
- Build your flexibility muscle. Humans are creatures of habit. Studies show that anywhere from 40 to more than 90 percent of what we do, say and think is habitual. This tendency to live on autopilot is one of the reasons change feels so hard. That’s why it is critical to exercise your flexibility muscle regularly. Look for opportunities to experience new things. Test yourself by deliberately going outside your comfort zone. Through practice, you can train your mind to look at change as an opportunity for growth.
Don’t let the fear of change or change fatigue keep you from reaching your goals. There are times to put on a life jacket, and there are times to reach for a surfboard. The key is to know the difference.
This is your time. Embrace the season and ride the waves.
Kara Jorvig is the founder and CEO of Allegro Group, a premier consulting, organizational development and talent acquisition firm. For nearly 20 years, she has partnered with CEOs and executive teams to help them assemble, activate and accelerate their A-Teams. For more from Kara, follow her on Instagram @kara.jorvig or LinkedIn @KaraJorvig and visit karajorvig.com.