Decide and Act

How Do You Handle Change?

Change is a loaded word. Both presidential candidates pledge to deliver change and actually, that’s one promise that is guaranteed. Whatever the result of the election, one thing is for certain: change happens.

Some changes seem to happen to us. These may involve: political leadership, financial markets, work environments, health events, and personal relationships. While we don’t always have control over the kind of change that occurs, we have a choice in how we decide to respond.

Change is life. How do you handle change? What change do you now choose to initiate?

Move Off The Mark

Have you ever tried to make progress with a particular situation but it feels like the movie Groundhog Day¹, where you are living the same thing over and over again? Perhaps you keep having the same conversation to no avail with your boss, your spouse, or even yourself.

The way to move off the mark and break the cycle of same action-same results is simple: Do something different to get something different.

Here are a few real-life examples from recent coaching conversations in which three people respond to change by being willing to decide and act:

Example #1:
A chiropractor who is in the process of getting divorced made the decision to consider a job she would have once dismissed in order to obtain health benefits and more time with her children. This immediate decision will make her ultimate goal of building her own business possible.

• The change: Divorce, financial status
• The decision: Pursue alternative employment.
• The action: Meet with specific contacts in her network who have the power to hire her or connect her with other organizations.

Example #2:
A small business owner whose sales are being impacted negatively by the economy has been going deeper into debt just to make payroll. He decides to reconsider bringing in a financial partner, an idea which had occurred to him before but he had never fully explored.

• The change: The economy; the business’ cash flow
• The decision: Explore the possibility of having a financial partner.
• The action: Clarify expectations for the role of a potential partner. Meet with the person who had expressed interest previously. Consider others who could step into this role.

Example #3:
A woman in the process of developing her career made the decision to create a lighter and more effective way of managing finances with her husband.

• The change: Increased financial pressure, stress level at home
• The decision: Approach financial conversations in a new way.
• The action: Stop dwelling on past decisions and start focusing in a positive way on where to go from here. Creatively brainstorm new ways to bring in more income.

Do Something Different

Whatever the scale — change that affects your family, your co-workers, your own well-being, or the world — what will be required are thoughtful decisions followed by focused and purposeful action.

What will move you off the mark? Decide and act.

“Change is inevitable, growth is intentional.”
— Glenda Cloud

Notes:
¹Groundhog Day is a 1993 movie starring Bill Murray as a weatherman who finds himself living the same day over and over again. Also starring Andie MacDowell.