Success Rule #19 – Anticipate Change

This might be a good time to review rules 9 and 15. Change is like death; we grieve. As a result it is either something we try to avoid and/or resist, but you WILL grieve. The more you fight it the more difficult the change becomes. Instead recognize it for what it is – an opportunity to grow, to learn to be or do something better. Everything changes, nothing stays the same. Anticipate it and as the Boy Scout says, Be Prepared.

Don’t like change? What are you going to do about it? Not happy with your job? Leave! Is the honeymoon over? Get a divorce! Don’t like what you’re doing? Stop doing it! When it comes to dealing with change we all share the same three choices.1.) INFLUENCE the situation the way you want it to be (within the law of course). 2.) DEAL with it, suck it up and get on with life. It is what it is. Or 3.) QUIT! Leave, go away, quit being miserable and making those around you miserable.

Ever been in an auto accident? Saw it coming? You probably did everything you could to INFLUENCE the outcome, braked, swerved, then WHAM! metal on metal. Your ability to influence the outcome has ended. Now what? You present you case to the boss, you have a better idea. She listens. “Anthony, I appreciate your input. This is the way it’s going to be”. Your ability to influence the situation has gone away. Time to move on to option number two; DEAL with it, suck it up, get on with life. How you decide to do that is up to you. But stop the whining and complaining. You may not always be able to control what people say or do, however, you have 100% control as to how you respond (See Rule #4). Of course if you are unable or choose not to influence it and are not willing to accept it for what it is, and believe me that’s ok, then it’s probably time to find/do something different. Remember though, throughout this whole time you will go through the grieving process.

The next few rules I’ll share with you tools and techniques for influencing and dealing with change.