How to Become a Master of Change

By Roger Crawford. This was originally published on Roger's blog.

No matter who you are, or what you do, change is inevitable. Either we can embrace change, or we can choose to ignore it.

For some, even though unsatisfied with their present circumstances, they are still afraid of making changes to improve their situation.

Becoming a master of change may seem like an ordinary concept, but it undeniably has extraordinary implications for our lives as well as our work.
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Here are 3 ways you can become a master of change:

1. Have a receptive attitude
A receptive attitude means that you are open and willing to consider something new. This mindset involves allocating time to think about what the particular change could mean for you rather than reacting impulsively.

I realize it is often difficult to remain objective about change; relying solely on emotion, however, can often generate avoidable fears.

When you have a receptive mindset, you will begin to recognize the opportunities that change presents, and you will act upon it. People who possess a receptive mindset tend to see their lives and work as exciting because it is ever-changing.

In the end, change is a subjective experience; we decide, therefore, how to view and experience it. That is why choosing to be receptive mindset is so important.

A company I once spoke for had an interesting corporate philosophy of approaching change with an “amateur mindset.” They explained that doing so gives one the opportunity to consider the possibilities that change presents with fresh eyes.

2. Focus on the big picture
One way to maintain a receptive attitude is by taking a big-picture approach. Some people call this the “35,000-foot view.”

As you get farther from the ground, you become less concerned with the details below. When we view change up close, it is often difficult to see anything else.

Looking at the big picture helps us put change into its proper perspective. With a big-picture perspective, change becomes less overwhelming and daunting.

Have you ever been driving in a car and nearly had an accident? Immediately, your thought process immediately goes from little picture to big picture, and you begin to have a completely different perspective on the little irritants of your day. You begin to focus on what really matters.

3. Be a possibility thinker
Speaking of driving, have you noticed that a positive attitude tends to smooth out life’s speed bumps? Dwelling on the possibilities of change increases your ability to respond positively to new and sometimes even stressful situations.

In planning for the future, don’t fall into the trap of assuming that what makes you successful now will guarantee your success tomorrow. While you cannot predict the future, you can always anticipate it being different than today.

By letting go of the known and venturing into the unknown, you will find that new possibilities exist. When we embrace this forward-thinking attitude, it enables us to convert life’s changes into rewarding opportunity.

Every aspect of change may not be what you want, but focusing on the good aspects fosters hope. Hope is the foundation for positive change because it is the belief that the future is full of possibilities.

If you have a sense of positive expectancy for your future, you can better manage change today. People and organizations who master change understand the difference between a hope and a wish.

• Wishing is passive and can often lead to disappointment.
• Hoping is a combination of the desire to discover opportunities for change, and the determination to make it happen.

In my presentations, I say it this way:
“Wishing is thinking about it. Hoping is thinking about it and doing something about it.”

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