Positive changes and negative changes both occur in our lives. Both must be faced in order to move forward in life and work situations.
Positive Changes
Positive changes are usually within our control and rarely necessitate difficult transitions to accommodate them. If you are having a child, you have nine months to prepare. If you are seeking a promotion at work, you are preparing for it and initiating that change whether it happens or not. If you are a senior in high school or college and have completed the requirements, you will graduate and move on to a new stage in life.
These positive changes will always be followed by a period of transition. The transition may or may not take very long. It may or may not be very challenging. It will be much smoother and easier when you know about it in advance.
With any positive changes you are anticipating—a new marriage, buying a house, taking a trip, starting a family, getting promoted, graduating, etc.—give yourself time to adjust to the idea. You usually have time to accommodate these positive changes because they often evolve over months or years of your life.
Negative Changes
Negative changes often come without warning. They are unpleasant surprises like an unexpected death in the family, a heart attack, or a stroke. Usually, negative changes are unexpected, abrupt, can be devastating, and beyond our control. They require a more complicated transition process because the element of surprise throws us into a state of shock, confusion, and disbelief. It also takes more time to accept a change that is undesirable, unexpected, and creates a loss of some kind (death of a loved one, loss of income, restricted freedom due to health challenges).
Although I wish only positive changes for you, you may not be in control of every situation caused by a change. You are in control of yourself while making the transition. I can help you make the most of this experience so you will emerge stronger, more enlightened, and better than you thought you could ever be.