“The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”
Socrates
There’s a line I’ve seen people posting quite often lately on Facebook and elsewhere: “Something has got to change.” So many of us are disheartened or frustrated by things going on in the world – and in our own lives – and longing for something different.
But longing only takes us so far.
Maybe you, too, feel like something needs to change. Or maybe you are about to embark on a change of your own – a career shift, an empty nest, a new goal or role – and find yourself wondering what to do or where to start. Even change that you’re excited about can be scary!
Whether you’re choosing to change or change is being thrust upon you, it’s in your best interest to navigate it with purpose. Here are 2 simple (though not always easy) ways to do that:
1. Clarify the WHAT.
Envision the ideal outcome of your change, as if I waved a magic wand over you and everything turned out just as you hoped. What does that picture look like? I walk many of my coaching clients through a guided visualization of this, engaging all of the senses and uncovering as vivid a scene as possible. When you have crystal clarity around what you’re moving towards, you’ll be less likely to linger in what you’re leaving behind.
2. Flip to HOW.
Questions like “Why does this always happen? Why me? Why now?” can keep you stuck. Ask “how” questions instead: “How can I make the most of this? How can I get from where I am to where I want to be? How can I use this experience to model purposeful change for those I care about? How might I engage the help of others?” This subtle shift moves you into a place of power and strength.
This has been a summer of change for me, both personally and professionally, and not all of it planned or expected. All of it, however, has been growing and stretching me (often uncomfortably!) as a woman, business owner, parent, and leader. I’ll share the surprising details of my “summer retreat” at Spark on November 4, but suffice it to say that change isn’t always easy.
It can, however, always be purposeful – and lead you to higher ground in the long run.
Here’s to your purposeful change!
What helps you positively navigate change? Share your thoughts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Dr. Christi Hegstad coaches you to live, work, and lead with meaning and purpose!
A certified and award-winning coach, author, and speaker, Christi is a recognized leadership and professional development expert. She has received such honors as NAWBO Iowa Business Owner of the Year, Forty Under 40, Forbes Coaches Council, and is current president of ICF Iowa. She is a frequently sought-after speaker and writer, contributing to Forbes, The Huffington Post, Des Moines Business Record, ICF, and more.
Connect with Christi on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or by email.