The following are all characteristics of change. Change can be
• Positive or negative
• Under our control or totally out of our control
• Abrupt or it can occur over a long period of time
• Routine, life-altering, and everything in between
• Easy to deal with or tremendously difficult
• Short-lived or extremely long-lasting in its effects on our lives
• Collective—affecting many other people—or very personal—affecting only ourselves
• Known to others or only to us
How To Make Your Change Positive
Of these characteristics of change, the most important one is the first one listed. As you evaluate a change in your life to decide if it is positive or negative, the answers to these questions affect your perception
• Are you happy or sad?
• Was this change planned or unplanned?
• Is it temporary or permanent?
• Was it gradual or abrupt?
• Is it unimportant or important?
• Does it seem easy or hard?
The more times you choose the first option in the question, the more likely you are to feel that this change is a positive one.
Pieces of our daily lives continuously shift. Sometimes we are responsible for those changes and sometimes we are not but life can be much easier—and much more positive—when we can predict change and prepare for it.
How you view all the characteristics of change will affect how you transition to a new stage or place after a change at work or in life. It helps if you can view some aspect of your current change as
• Positive
• Under your control
• This moment of your life
• Life-affirming
• Possible to deal with
• Finite in its effect on your life
• Something you can face with the help of others
Incorporate these latter, positive characteristics of change into your transition. Let me show you how.