6 Tips to Dealing With Change Like a Brilliant Smartass

Here is my “way out on a limb” prediction for 2010: Things will change, surprises will occur and a few things (if not many things) will not go as planned. Basically, Ding will happen.

Change is inevitable, and yet, even though we should be expecting it, it still often throws us for a mighty loop. But it doesn’t have to. Here are 6 tips you can use to deal with change quickly and effectively in 2010 (and beyond!)

1) Remember Your Big Picture

“All the same we take our chances
Laughed at by time
Tricked by circumstances
Plus ca change
Plus c’est la meme chose
The more that things change
The more they stay the same”
-Rush, “Circumstances”

The first thing you should do when change happens, big or small, is to immediately refocus on what your goals are. By simply remembering what’s important, you can quickly adapt to the change by changing your tactics to still get you to where you want to go.

Children flip out when things go wrong. Intelligent adults adjust their approach and keep going. Based on the number of people I see flip out when the unexpected occurs, I can only deduce that there are few intelligent adults in the world. This is your chance to be one. 🙂

Don’t have a big picture? Well then you better go make one…

2) Make a Decision

“Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes”
-David Bowie, “Changes”

Like Shelob, the giant spider monster guarding the pass into Mordor, change has the complete ability to paralyze you. Something throws you off your plan, so you stop doing anything and sit around wishing thing were better. Bad move.

People who deal with change well take action. And the first step to taking action is to simply decide and commit to what you will do.

3) Take Action

“Change changing places
Root yourself to the ground
Capitalize on this good fortune
One word can bring you round
Changes”
-Yes, “Changes”

Of course, just deciding won’t get you anywhere. Making a decision is like noticing an attractive person looking at you from across the room: It’s an important first step, but if that’s all you do you can waste a lifetime just sitting around waiting for something good to happen.

Decisions need to be followed by action. It doesn’t have to be a giant action. Just say, “yes, and” and take a step forward.

4) Stop Whining

“A change would do you good”
Sheryl Crowe, “A Change”

Ah, the whining. People do love to whine. And few things bring out the whining more than unexpected change. Unfortunately, whining does nothing to help you actually deal with the change. It just keeps you stuck. Oh, it also annoys the heck out of everyone around you.

Here’s a tip: if you catch yourself talking a lot about the change and hear yourself using the word “but” a lot (as in, “but this wasn’t supposed to happen!”) You’re whining. Take a step back, smack yourself in the face, and re-read this list.

5) Look Forward, Not Backward

“Seasons change, people change”
– Expose, “Seasons Change”

The problem (or change) lies in your past. The solution lies in your future. Sure, you can study the past to find out what happened so you can make sure to not repeat errors, but if you really want to roll with the change then spend more time (a lot more time) focusing on how to make the future better.

6) Resolve to Improve the “Status Quo”

“Don’t you know things can change
Things’ll go your way
If you hold on for one more day”
-Wilson Phillips, “Hold On”

What’s funny is that when change happens, many people desperately seek to get things back to where they were “pre-change” as quickly as possible. This is stupid.

Change can suck, but it also serves as an oft-needed shake up. Rather than immediately trying to return to your pre-change status quo, use this opportunity to try to create a new situation that is even better than the old way.

About

By Avish Parashar. As the world's only Motivational Improviser, Avish uses techniques from the world of improv comedy to engage, entertain, and educate audiences on ideas around change, creativity, and motivation. Connect with Avish on Google+

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