Some people love change.
I can’t say I’m one of them, though.
In the past, when the riptide of change came rushing through my life, my immediate instinct was to bolt the other way.
Sometimes I’d pull the covers fiercely over my head and go back to sleep. Other times, I’d push the feelings way down, deep inside of me.
Not surprisingly, neither of these tactics worked.
My feelings always erupted one way or another; sometimes at my innocent husband or another driver on the road, and other times in chronic nail biting or mindless eating, none of which felt positive or good.
After years of reading different books and praying for relief, solutions began rolling in. I was surprised to discover a mountain of creative, free, and often-times fun methods for handling change.
By the end of this message, you’ll know some, too.
In fact, by the end of this post, you’ll know 3.
Meet LAG: the simple, powerful, 3-step formula for gliding through change.
So what exactly is LAG and what does it mean?
L – Look for the gift.
I love consistency. I once thought, if, given the choice, I’d keep things the same way forever. But then I thought about it. Can you imagine how BORING life would be without change? If the seasons were always the same? If children never grew older? If we weren’t forced to try or do new things? Yuck! I don’t know about you, but some of my greatest victories in life and some of my best qualities, like courage and strength, grew out of change. The next time you’re faced with a difficult change, shift your perspective and consider the opportunity it brings.
A – Accept the change.
Are you trying to fight a change? Up until about 4 years ago, I was terrified of traveling. It sounds strange, but the days of travel and the shift to my schedule shook me to the core. I would feel nervous and uneasy the days before leaving and work myself up with fear and anxiety – not to mention beat myself up for being what I thought was a “big baby”. It wasn’t healthy or self-loving. I finally took some great advice I read and acknowledged and accepted my feelings and the change. Writing things such as, “I feel nervous about this trip,” or simply giving myself 24 hours to get comfortable in new surroundings has made a tremendous difference for me! I’ve given my family members and travel mates the heads-up, too, so they know not to take any nervousness personally.
G – Get support!
When you’re dealing with something stressful like a major or minor change, one of the best things you can do is call a friend or family member. We all need people we can count on when we’re feeling scared or insecure. Sometimes all it takes is a 5-minute call or text message. Other times, you may need to speak to a counselor, a member of the clergy, or a therapist or coach. Trust your intuition and if you find yourself needing help, don’t be afraid to ask for it. If you’re unsure about where to turn, think about the strongest, wisest people in your life, and ask them for suggestions.
To make sure you get the most you can out of LAG, take it a step further: pick one of the LAG tools right now and commit to using it the next time a change surfaces for you.
Which one will it be?
Now that you’re up to speed with LAG, change is going to be a breeze for you, right?
Perhaps – but it’ll most likely be a process.
If things start off tough, don’t give up too easily. Like anything else in life, learning to adapt and grow through change takes time, patience, love, and understanding. Commit to trying your best, let go, and allow change to flow through and around you. It may not be without its challenges, but having a game-plan for change certainly increases confidence and self-esteem, and will help you stay sane.
Xo
Jaime