Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino is the CEO of Compliance4 and founder of The Best Ever You Network. She is the author of The Change Guidebook.
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Change doesn’t have to be scary. Fear of change can cause anxiety. Some degree of these feelings is completely normal. But in general, I find that we tend to swing back and forth with fear between the change and the unknown, because we can’t predict or control the outcomes despite our best plans. Even positive changes and changes we choose can trigger these feelings.
I’ve written two books on change management, developed a masterclass, and founded my company on a principle I call The Ten Points of Change. I use this process in my own life and in my practice as a master life coach. I personally made big changes in my life. I’ve been divorced, remarried, moved halfway across the country, then across the country, and so on. I’ve guided clients around the world through change and over the years I’ve found the following five common themes that help leaders overcome their fear of change.
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Root in gratitude and abundance.
I like to help my clients look within to root in gratitude and abundance. This practice is promoting such a massive shift in thinking for so many. When you are so deeply rooted in gratitude and abundance that it becomes part of your nature, you create a situation for yourself and others that is open, an open mindset, and an anything-is-possible culture.
Learning how to handle change can help you align your heart, truths and energy and serves as a wonderful change management process that you can rely on to improve your business. When you learn more or become an expert in a subject that you previously feared, you can of course resort to it in unforeseen circumstances or in times of change. There are three leading actions required for change.
• Think with your heart.
• Live and appear authentic.
• Understand that you go where you put your energy.
When these three things fit together, I truly believe you can do anything.
Anchor in your power.
There’s nothing like helping someone overcome their fear of change by helping them discover their strength. You have the ability to become unstoppable when you realize the power of yourself. You are your own boss-everything: CEO, CCO, CVO and more. You are at the helm and in control. Even as leaders, we may not realize that we are in control and we give away our power. You don’t need permission to make the much-needed change. Change comes from within. When you make changes to your business, make sure they are changes you want to make and not something someone else wants you to do. Stay anchored in your power. You can do this by using the statement, “I remember a time when…” Complete the sentence with a time when everything was aligned. Use this moment to access and remember your power in times of need.
Be and do your best.
I like to think that all people like to be their best on any given day and time. However, we are human, and while we can strive for this, not everything will be perfect 24/7. So it becomes important to be and do the best for yourself, your company and your team. As you grow, change, and learn, it’s also important to forgive yourself in those times when you didn’t know any better, but you do. Change can be very difficult to navigate and very uncomfortable, so it is important to remember your worth and apply self-love and self-worth to yourself.
Adjust your behavior.
Is your behavior consistent with your company’s values, goals, and actions? How do you spend your time? Remember, we have no right to time. Once you are aware of this, the way you spend your very precious moments floats to the top of everything you do and how you operate as a leader. Do not waste time. When you realize the importance of time, you don’t put changes you’ve always wanted to make on hold. Take actions that support your values, goals, dreams and mindset.
Pause and search.
This is not saying “hide and seek”; it says “Pause and search.” Whatever happens with changes in your organization, it is important to take a moment to reflect. Evaluate and understand what is going on. Don’t get stuck there; instead, keep going and find like-minded and positive people both inside and outside your company. Someone may already know the flight path you are on and can positively influence you to promote your best success. It helps you look at every area of ​​your life and answer some questions. This is a great way to take a break as you move forward with change.
Welcome improvement.
Say this with me ten times: “I welcome improvement.” You can even get more specific with that statement and add something you’d like to improve on. For example, “I welcome improvement in my leadership skills.” We must give ourselves permission to grow and change. Part of what’s most scary about change is that feeling of being stuck. Nobody likes that feeling. So when we feel this way, it becomes important to get back to gratitude and allow for abundance and change.
Get clear.
I think one of the most important things needed to overcome the fear of change is clarity. I’m saving the best tip for last here as I remind you to be very clear, often with purpose and intent, about what you want to change, achieve, align and take action within your company. If you’re adapting to change you didn’t ask for, it’s also imperative to regroup and get clear on what needs to be done to the best of your knowledge and ability.
Change is constant, so the more we can learn about it, the better we will navigate and move from fearful to confident.
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