Philosophers have realized for millennia that the only enduring feature of human life is change. Sometimes they speak of it as a sort of tragedy, but that’s only one side of the coin.
Change is also exciting, life-affirming, and rewarding for those who learn to embrace it, and regard it not only as a personal challenge, but as an opportunity to achieve the better life they’ve always dreamed of.
It’s hard to cut old ties and leave behind the habits, places, and people we’ve gotten used to. Remember, however, that familiarity is comforting, but, as they say, it also breeds contempt, and often for good reasons!
Stop for a minute and reflect: are the things you’re leaving behind because of change really that great?
Can’t you hope for better? Keep things in perspective, and realize that you haven’t reached your life’s summit just yet. Greater things are ahead, and only change can bring them about. Embrace it.
Psychologists often comment on the fact that humans, by nature, are resistant to changes and transitions. Some can find them bewildering and disorienting. Luckily, psychology can offer some constructive advice on how to deal with life’s transitions.
The type of person you are will affect the ways in which you react to transition. Below, you’ll find various kinds of approaches to the world around us. Understanding where you might be classified can help you understand how you react to transition.
1. The Philosopher
You have an innate sense of life’s meaning, and the spiritual significance of your own actions, and those of the people around you. You recognize the interconnectedness of human society, are considerate of others, and embrace change, since you recognize that life is composed of changes, and that they cannot be avoided even if you wanted to. You realize that by improving your own character, you’ll be improving every team you’re a part of.
2. The Empathizer
You work well in teams because you understand the principles of human interaction, and are easily able to place yourself in someone else’s shoes, and see every situation from a dozen different viewpoints. Not only do you react positively to change, but you yourself create changes for the better.
3. The Competitor
The competitor is primarily out for his own success; as a competitor, you view life as a sort of race, and everyone else as a rival you need to outrun. Competitors embrace change as a sort of opportunity and a personal challenge, but they do so out of egotistical reasons, always expecting a prize at the end of the race.
4. The Authoritarian
The authoritarian thrives on authority, whether that of himself or of his own superiors. The existence of a firm, unchanging set of laws is comforting to him, and they follow them in every detail and expect others to subordinate themselves just as they do. They can thrive under great pressure, but only when things proceed according to those laws and regulations. Whenever life’s changes force them to deviate from their accepted laws, they become distraught, and even desperate.
5. The Survivor
Those in this category are out only to survive; they take a very passive approach to life, and change is what they fear the most. Instead of attacking it head on, they do everything in their power to avoid it, deny it, or minimize its impact.
In keeping with these personality types, there are four ways, developed by psychologists, of confronting changes in our lives:
1. Direct — you become a director of change, planning for it, analyzing it, and even initiating it. You take an active approach to change.
2. Conceive — you conceive ways in which change can be positive. What should be changed in your life or organization, and how can that be brought about? You are a strategist of sorts, who sees things in the abstract.
3. Analyze — you have a very scientific approach to change, studying it and evaluating it, often with the help of objective criteria, statistics, studies, etc., upon which you base your logical conclusions. The timelessness of your scientific methods helps provide a sense of continuity no matter what changes come your way.
4. Manage — you manage change by orchestrating the responses of those around you. You listen attentively to their thoughts regarding the transition, and help them understand how they can work together to deal with it constructively.
Always remember that human beings are hard-wired for adaptability. We’re equipped by nature to deal with the changes we encounter, and are often more resilient than we even realize. Trust yourself, and listen to the voice of intuition, whenever you’re faced with transition.
Resources:
- Why is it so Hard to Change?
- Healing Our World: The Other Piece of the Puzzle
(Free eBook by Dr. Mary J. Ruwart) - Find the Time to Transform Yourself and Your World
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Photo by Lawrence OP– flickr.com.
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