Tools to Manage Transition & Build Resiliency

Why This Topic, and Why Now? Change happens at an accelerated pace, in our country, our communities and our economy. Change has gone from sporadic to continuous. Personal tools are needed to cope with transitions caused by change.

Is Transitional Change the Problem? The challenge is not change, it’s how we cope with that transitional change. How we cope with uncertainty and change determines our ultimate persona. The only one true constant in our lives is change.

Strain: Strain: Mismatch between the demands placed on you, and your appraisal of your ability to meet those demands - under threat, challenge or danger. You -History -Life Experience -Perceptions Trigger Event Vulnerability

Are you going insane at work from all the stress? Are you so flustered that, words your wrong order are in the? Introducing: Not available in all stores, continued use of Brain Floss may cause temporary insanity, consult your physician before using.

What is Transition? Transition begins when a constant ends. …the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another. Transition is: The ending is closely followed by a long period of uncertainty and unfamiliarity This situation creates fear, but also great potential for opportunity.

Natural Emotions in Transition Fear, Anxiety, Insecurity & Uncertainty Frustration, Resentment & Anger Sadness, Passivity, Depression & Guilt Unfairness, Betrayal & Distrust Envy Self Absorption Excitement, Relief, Hope

Potential Stages in Dealing with Transitional Change

Tools to Manage the Transitional Period Short-term goals Long-term vision Look for opportunities Take risks/make mistakes Rediscover old talents Educate yourself Utilize your network Take breaks/distract yourself

Strengthening Your Resiliency “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on.” -Robert Frost

Ten Tips to Increase Resiliency 1. Build Positive Beliefs in Your Abilities 2. Find a Sense of Purpose in Your Life 3. Develop a Strong Social Network 4. Embrace Change 5. Be Optimistic 6. Nurture Yourself 7. Develop Your Problem-Solving Skills 8. Establish Goals 9. Take Steps to Solve Problems 10. Keep Working on Your Skills

Build Positive Beliefs Research has demonstrated that self esteem plays an important role in coping with stress and recovering from difficult events. Remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments. Becoming more confident about your own ability to deal with crisis is a great way to build resilience for the future.

Find a Sense of Purpose After her 13-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Candace Lightner founded Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD).. Finding a sense of purpose can play an important role in recovery. Some Examples might be: Becoming involved in your community, cultivating your spirituality participating in activities that are meaningful to you.

Develop a Strong Social Network Having caring, supportive people around you acts as a protective factor during times of crisis. It is important to have people you can confide in. They allow you to share your feelings, and come up with possible solutions to your problems.

Embrace Change By learning how to be more adaptable, you'll be better equipped to respond when faced with a life crisis. Resilient people often utilize these events as an opportunity to branch out in new directions.

Be Optimistic 1.Let go of the assumption that the world is against you. How To Be Optimistic 2.Understand that the past does not equal the future. 3.See yourself as a cause, not an effect. 4.Use positive affirmations. 5.Repeat: “This too Shall Pass”. 6.Be a balanced optimist.

Nurture Yourself Focus on building your self-nurturance skills, even when you are troubled. Make time for activities that you enjoy. By taking care of your own needs, you can boost your overall health and resilience.

Develop Your Problem- Solving Skills Research suggests that people who are able to come up with solutions are better able to cope with problems Make a quick list of some of the potential ways you could solve the problem. Experiment with different strategies and focus on developing a logical approach to problem solving. By practicing your problem solving skills, you will be better prepared to cope when a serious challenge emerges.

Establish “A goal not written is only a wish” - Anonymous When you find yourself becoming overwhelmed by a situation, take a step back to assess. Brainstorm possible solutions, and then break them down into manageable steps. Short-Term Goals Mid-Range Goals Long-Range Goals

Take Steps to Solve Problems Simply waiting for a problem to go away only prolongs the crisis. Start working on resolving the issue immediately. Focus on the progress that you have made thus far and planning your next steps.

Keep Working on Your Skills “Research has shown that resilience is not an extraordinary thing, but is rather ordinary and can be learned by most anyone". According to Dr. Russ Newman: Psychological resilience does not involve any specific set of behaviors or actions. Focus on practicing some of the common tools outlined herein, but also remember to build upon your existing strengths. And Finally….

Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff! CONTROLNO CONTROL NOT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT X = Exert Energy X O = Forget about it! O O O

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