0. Making The Most Of Change

1. Purpose This program is designed to help participants:
anticipate how they will respond to change
develop resilience so they can successfully manage the effects of change

2. Agenda Defining Change Common Reactions to Change
Managing Change with Resilience
Successful Coping Strategies
Developing a Personal Action Plan

3. “THE ONLY CONSTANT
IS CHANGE”
-Heraclitus 500 B.C.

4. CHANGE Change Makes Things More Difficult in the Short Run
Resistance to Change is Normal
All Change Creates Loss
Change Undermines Our Need to Feel Appreciated, Valued, and In Control
But... Change Is Also An Opportunity For Growth!

5. “Who Moved My Cheese?” An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change
- By Spencer Johnson, MD

6. Change Happens! “Having Cheese Makes You Happy”
“The More Important Your Cheese Is To You, The More You Want To Hold Onto It”
“They Keep Moving the Cheese”

7. Common Reactions to Change
Shock
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
V. Feelings within the office
C. Group the feelings into five major categories: Anger, Withdrawal, Confusion, Sadness and Worry. This will prepare the group for the next section.

8. The Effects of Change

9. Normal feelings of loss include:
Anxiety
Depression
Hopelessness
Distraction
Loss of enthusiasm
The need for more closeness
Fear
Anger
Sadness
Increased feelings of stress

10. Anticipate Change “Get Ready For The Cheese To Move”
“If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct”

11. How to Handle Your Reactions to Change
Accept that your feelings are the natural result of being in an uncomfortable situation
Talk with people you can trust about your thoughts and feelings
Give yourself time to deal with change
Take the time to acknowledge and grieve the losses that change brings

12. Monitor Change
Smell The Cheese Often So You Know When It’s Getting Old.

13. How to Handle Your Reactions to Change
Get as much information as you can about how or if your job will change
Be flexible and open-minded
Allow extra time for usual tasks if you are having trouble concentrating
Do something each day that you find rewarding and satisfying

14. Dysfunctional Behaviors On The Job - Reacting To Change
Withdrawing
Not Communicating
Complaining
Gossiping
Lashing Out

15. Adapt to Change Quickly
What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid?
The Quicker You Let Go Of Old Cheese, The Sooner You Find New Cheese.

16. How to Handle Your Reactions to Change
Allow yourself time to re-evaluate your personal and professional goals
Consider all possible options
Look for ways to positively impact the way your work group recovers from the changes
Take a long weekend; don’t forget to have fun and enjoy what you have

17. How to avoid feeling helpless and hopeless
Accept the changes that have occurred
Try to find a positive side to the change process
Look for new opportunities
Take time to mourn the losses you have experienced
Look for ways to add your input or suggestions about the changes to make the process work better

18. Maintain a healthy identity
We are more than a job classification
Explore your other identities and roles
Look for new identities
Consider new roles and opportunities that might present themselves to you

19. Change Move With The Cheese
When You Move Beyond Your Fear, You Feel Free.
Imagining Myself Enjoying New Cheese Even Before I find It…..Leads Me To It.

20. Resilience
The Ability to Return to the Original State or Form After Being Stretched, Compressed or Bent

21. Five Characteristics of Resilient People
Positive
Focused
Flexible
Organized
Proactive

22. Positive Tips
Use a journal where you can maintain a list of daily accomplishments
Accept compliments and praise from others unconditionally
Concentrate on becoming better at a new task rather than being perfect
Practice using positive “self-talk” phrases

23. “We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust our sails.”

24. Focused Tips
Visualize yourself, as you would like to be in one year. Put a sign or picture on your mirror or desk to remind you of your vision
Set specific short, medium and long-range goals
Ask someone you trust to review your goals and give you specific feedback and suggestions to improve them

25. Flexible Tips
Swap sides in a discussion where you disagree with someone — you argue their side and ask them to argue your side
Identify someone who may typically approach things differently than you — ask them for input on your change initiative. Listen to their ideas without interrupting or passing judgment
Drive a new and unfamiliar route to work or a friend’s house — look for and appreciate what’s different from your usual route

26. Organized Tips Many people will have new job responsibilities
Take a few moments to think through and list the key steps you need to accomplish a new task before you tackle it
Put pieces of paperwork and important information in clearly marked files and put them in an accessible place
Break down a problem into smaller pieces, and then tackle the easiest one first

27. “A sense of humor reduces people and problems to their proper size.”

28. Enjoy Change! Savor The Adventure And Enjoy The Taste Of New Cheese!
When You See That You Can Find And Enjoy New Cheese, You Change Course.

29. Developing Resilience
Physical Health and Energy Management
Maintain Emotional Stability and Well-Being
Outward Focus: Solutions
Inward Focus: Strengths
Develop Flexibility
Learning from Experiences

30. Physical Resilience Energy Management Regaining (Energizing)
Releasing (Relaxing)
Regulating (Pacing)
Refocusing (Redirecting)

31. Successful Coping Strategies
Physical Health
Eat nutritional food
Exercise regularly
Get sufficient sleep
Avoid excessive use of alcohol and caffeine
Practice deep breathing
Get a massage
Enjoy the outdoors
Practice prayer/meditation/yoga

32. Successful Coping Strategies
Emotional Health
Acknowledge and share your feelings
Make a list of personal strengths, skills and resources
Focus on the present moment
Set limits-learn to say “NO”
Use humor-laugh, have fun
Limit unnecessary changes
Examine and adjust your attitude
Set aside time for yourself

33. Successful Coping Strategies
Change Management
Give yourself sufficient time for change
Set realistic expectations and goals
Focus on 1-2 change strategies at a time
Think in terms of small steps
Review and reward your progress daily
Ask questions; gather information

34. Going Through the Transition:
Recognize Reality
Figure out what is actually changing
Determine what are the real losses for you personally
Distinguish between current losses and old losses and resentments
Identify the aspects of your life that continue unchanged

35. Going Through the Transition
Minimize the stress
Talk with trusted friends. Share your worst fears and best hopes
Try to limit other changes in your life
Make it a point to get enough rest and sleep
Use exercise to relieve stress
Don’t increase the use of alcohol or cigarettes to cope

36. Emphasize the opportunities
Look for ways to make the changes work to your advantage
Be realistic in your expectations
Take a positive stance
Take steps to develop skills in areas that will have value in the future
Focus on identifying and developing “transferable” skills
Maintain relationships with coworkers and friends

37. Change can be stressful to the Family
You are the only one affected by the change
Be kind with your family
Try to maintain open communication with your spouse
Family is one of the best sources of support during this transition

38. Closing Thoughts: It is important to maintain your-
Motivation
Focus
And stay positive in order to avoid becoming a victim to change
And Be Ready to Look For New Cheese!!!

39. How the EAP Can Help During Times of Change
THE EAP IS
Confidential;
Available 24 hours a day;
Available to you at no charge;
Welcomes you and your immediate family members.
C. Remind the participants of the many resources available to them through VBH. Specifically mention the EAP and ask if everyone is aware of the EAP or has questions. .

40. How the EAP Can Help During Times of Change
YOUR EAP CAN
Help you deal with emotional conflicts regarding the change;
Assist you with coping strategies for dealing with change;
Be a resource to help you make a successful transition.
VII. Wrap-up (Leave at least 20 minutes for this section)
C. Remind the participants of the many resources available to them through VBH. Specifically mention the EAP and ask if everyone is aware of the EAP or has questions.

41. Your EAP is just a telephone call away
Your EAP is just a telephone call away. A counselor is available to talk with you at any time.
VII. Wrap-up (Leave at least 20 minutes for this section) (cont)
C. Remind the participants of the many resources available to them through VBH. Specifically mention the EAP and ask if everyone is aware of the EAP or has questions.