Coping — and Growing — with Change

In times like these, when ambiguity and uncertainly are in the air — in the job market as well as the stock market — it’s important to rally your resources and get proactive: not just about your career but about your life.

One of the most unsettling aspects of change is that so much of it is beyond your control. This can be especially difficult if you are used to being in the driver’s seat. Job seekers know this from first-hand experience. Deciding to make a career move, or having that decision made for you through job loss, often brings the impact of change up close and personal. When forging a new career path, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by it all. Becoming effective in your search and presenting yourself as a vibrant job applicant means managing all of your best assets – including your outlook, your energy and your attitude.

We may like to think we can handle whatever comes our way, but intellect alone is not an effective coping mechanism. Change demands that we engage our heart, mind, body and spirit. Making a choice to work through transition from a holistic framework means understanding and prioritizing our needs without judgment. Those who are most successful use creative self-management strategies and take responsibility for their own self-care.

More job seekers and entrepreneurs are recognizing this one simple truth – the health of their endeavor is inseparable from their personal well-being. Placing themselves at the top of their to-do list helps bring renewed energy and perspective to their challenges. Here are some simple guidelines:

Recognize the difference between what you can do and what you can’t change. Then make a conscious decision to stop investing ‘worry energy’ in things that you cannot influence. Be sure to give yourself credit for just how well you are doing under the circumstances.

Find the good in the good and the good in the bad. Practice optimism by reframing the changes through the power of language. Is it a ‘terrible disaster?’ An ‘unsettling event?’, an ‘interesting scenario?’ or ‘incredible window of opportunity?’ How you frame it colours how you react to it.

Give yourself permission to be good to yourself. Take a one-day mental vacation and spend some quality time alone to recharge and reflect. Solitude can replenish the soul and help you regain your perspective. Reconnect with your partner, your friends and your family. Have some heart-to-heart discussions over coffee.

Get back to the sources of joy in your life. Art, music and reading can all contribute to peace of mind. Find low-cost alternatives to satisfy your entertainment needs. Libraries and community centres are still open. Sign up for an introductory course in tai chi or yoga to enhance the mind-body connection. Get back to nature by taking a walk in the woods, not just around the block.

Finally, use a time of transition as an opportunity to reevaluate your priorities. Get back to basics, slow down and chill out. Count your blessings. Count on your friends. Do something new. Do something for someone else. Do something for the sheer joy of doing it. Be spontaneous, be open-minded, be grateful and laugh often.