Two Ways To Handle Disruption.
Our lives never standstill. Change happens all around us every day, and there is nothing we can do to stop that. Change is a good thing because change is what keeps things fresh and keeps us alive. However, occasionally we find ourselves having to deal with sudden massive change. Change so big it completely disrupts our lives and forces us to do things in ways we either thought were impossible, or we don’t want to do.
Going through a divorce, moving house or having to deal with the death of a parent are examples of massive change in our lives. Where once we had some form of consistency that gave us a sense of security, now that security has gone and it can be devastating, massively disruptive and upsetting.
Yet, life goes on, and it is in how we view change that will either prolong our suffering or give us the impetus to make changes, so we become more robust and better able to cope with that change.
With change, there are always two sides: a positive and a negative one. With the current pandemic, for example, we are all being forced to change the way we work, live and interact with our friends, colleagues and families.
Many people see the current change as a serious inconvenience and hope we will return to the way we were before this pandemic.
Others look at it as an opportunity to try new ways of doing things, learn new things and discover better ways of doing their work and living their lives.
Seeing change negatively does not improve your life and will keep you feeling desperately uncomfortable when things return to some form of normality. The way things were before this pandemic will not return. Things are going to change, and that change is very likely to be very uncomfortable for a lot of people.
For others, new ways of doing things, the new skills they have developed and their ability to adapt will stand them in good stead for whatever the future brings. Embracing change and trying new ways energises and motivates. It allows us to grow, develop and improve. We become stronger, better people, and we set a positive example to those around us who are struggling.
The reality is the world never stagnates. Stagnation is how planets die. It’s how species go extinct, and it’s how we become obsolete in our industries. Change gives us opportunities that are rarely there. Opportunities to learn, adapt and develop ourselves.
Now is an excellent time for you to build your skills, to seek out and find new ways of doing things and to explore new technologies, new apps — have you ever wanted to try out Google Docs or Apple’s Keynote? And take those courses you have always wanted to take. Use the time you would typically be commuting to study a new skill. The average one-way commuting time in the U.S. is 26.1 minutes according to the U.S. Census Bureau — that gives you around 4.5 hours in which to study a new skill each week.
Don’t waste this opportunity. Do something that will improve your skills, improve your knowledge and improve your ability to handle massive disruption. Do a complete review of your life, note down areas you feel need strengthening. Possibilities could be:
Building a morning routine
Beginning a journaling habit
Starting a simple exercise programme
Leaning Photoshop / Indesign / Illustrator / Premiere Pro
Developing your goals and analysing why you have not achieved them yet
Reviewing your bucket list (or start a bucket list if you don’t have one)
Taking an online course in a subject you want to learn
Read more books
The list is endless, and there is so much you can do to prepare for when we do return to our places of work. The worst thing you can be doing right now is hoping things will soon return to normal. They won’t. Instead, use this time to build a better you, a more adaptable you and a healthier you. It’s what you do during these unusual times that will be a catalyst for how your life plays out in the future.
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