Making The Most Of Change

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

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

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

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!

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

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”

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.

The Effects of Change

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Five Characteristics of Resilient People Positive Focused Flexible Organized Proactive

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!!!

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. .

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.

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.