Few things are certain in life but change is one of them. It’s inevitable, whether we welcome it or not.
Sometimes change is expected, sometimes it comes as a bolt out of the blue.
Have you noticed how some of us cope with change better than others? Have you ever wondered why?
In fact, some of us positively embrace change, while others feel reluctant and upset at the very thought of change. Taken to the extreme – some people seek change as an escape from boredom, mundane routine or an inability to settle for any length of time.
At the other end of the scale, anyone resisting change in the extreme may be afraid of the unknown, feel threatened by upheaval, or see it as some sort of negative event in their lives.
Most of us lie somewhere in between. Perhaps we even embrace change when we are ready for it, but resist it when we aren’t.
Here is an extract from a workshop I gave some time ago entitled embracing change – why it can be so difficult.
It explains why and how we find change hard…….
“The Definition of Homoeostasis is:
N. the maintenance of metabolic equilibrium, by a tendency to compensate for disrupting changes within us humans.
The Definition of Homoeostat is;
Noun: a machine capable of same kind of self-regulation.
Think of yourself as the ultimate homoeostat, a machine or body capable of the same kind of self-regulation. Boy, are we human beings good at staying the same! In other words, resisting change.
No matter how much we may want to change, at a deeper level we resist. Both physiologically and psychologically we carry many behavioural patterns designed to prevent us from changing. Physiologically: we maintain our blood sugar, temperature, weight, calorie intake and many more potentially reactive systems, from an unconscious state. Psychologically we do exactly the same thing. Change means danger to our psyche, ego or ‘comfort zone’ and our ego tells us that change must be avoided at all costs!
The greater the perceived threat of change to us, the greater the discomfort to our ego and perceived danger; therefore the greater the defensive moves that we put in place to resist the change. We will, albeit probably unconsciously, sabotage any attempts to make a major change for ourselves!
So is a challenge (or problem) easy to define then; a person’s reluctance or resistance to change? Well in many cases (but not all) I believe them to be true.
If we embrace change as opposed to feel threatened by it, we are approaching the situation with an ‘energy’ of possibility as opposed to an energy of resistance. It dissolves that barrier to progress, much more quickly. We are talking attitude here; our mental approach. “
In a year when we are seeing rapid ‘change’ (or so it seems) are you seeing the changes you face, as a welcome relief or finding them unsettling?
Once again, change is one of the few certainties in life:
Is this a good, exciting and opportunistic time for you?
Or is it causing you angst, worry or stress?
Read the Homeostasis again. I am sharing this with you today in case you are struggling with changes in your life right now.
Take reassurance from it. Have the courage to face change and run with it. Tomorrow is another day – everything is possible, everything is achievable.
Even if change means doors are closing on you, try to accept some doors have to close before new and better ones open.
There is an old saying – “that which doesn’t kill you in life makes you a stronger person”.
There’s a brutal honesty in this message and one to take courage and inspiration from.
Have a great week.
