Adapting to change in order to survive a crisis

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During the time I have devoted to learning and meditation, a simple but powerful concept kept coming back to me: Change is the only constant of the world. At every moment, a lot of things change around us. The challenge lies in front of us, adapting to change with the world around us.

Adapting to change can be a difficult task, but even this lovely cat now use an ipad. Photo by Hajime NAKANO.

Facing a crisis

Let’s define a crisis as a powerful event where something change drastically. During a crisis, you are in danger to lose something or be harmed in one way or the other. These powerful events are turning points for the lives of a lot of people around the world.

The first group of people just suffer the consequences and try as hard as they can to keep everything just as it used to be. They work hard to try to return to their comfort zone, and as you may have already guessed, their comfort zone is threatened with destruction. They feel pain and suffer a lot due to the insane amount of stress they have to endure to keep solving everything the way they used to do it. A pretty bad plan if you ask me.

There is another group that does something wonderful. They see the crisis coming and instead of trying to solve everything the way they used to do it, they go a step beyond. They start adapting to change. They go beyond what they know, they start learning as if everything was new and not only survive but thrive. I want you to stay in this second group.

You can’t escape change

It doesn’t matter if you run like crazy, change will sooner or later get you. What if instead of wasting your energy trying to get back to your comfort zone you go all out and change too?

Adapting to change will make you stronger. So instead of looking back, you need to start looking for a new position to occupy after the change. I would love to say that this is a simple process, but it’s not, it’s a real challenge every time. Just remember this, each time you successfully adapt to change, you will be one step closer to be able to survive any crisis.

One of the most powerful feelings that you will feel once you face change is fear. This one is normal and comes each time you try something new. Don’t let it grow and take the time to understand that it’s normal to fear, and it should be a reason to be in the lookout, not to be paralyzed.

Gathering your weapons

Adapting to change requires a series of weapons and skills, fortunately you can start getting them and practicing before you need to use them. These skills won’t get you safe and sound when a difficult change comes, but they can help you cope with fear and give you some valuable ways to find the path you need to take.

• Build your awareness: Always take the time to update yourself about what’s going on around you. You don’t have to watch every news program for this. Just be aware of the changes in your environment. This means you need to pay attention to what’s new in your work, around your family and friends, and even your hobbies. You can start right now by just searching a bit around the net about your career path. For example, I read some blogs on web design and development everyday to stay updated. Build yourself a list on blogs that covers the news for your field and you will be ok.
• Try to find more ways to solve a problem: This will train your creativity. Let’s say you have a new project and you know exactly what you know to do it. Well time to make your own trade a bit harder. Go for a different route, instead of building a list with all the tasks for the project try just a few key objectives and start working towards them. If you always wait until the end to ask for feedback, ask for it while you are still in the middle of the project. These kind of “unexpected” events or micro changes will help you adapt better to a changing situation. You can even improve your own skills while experimenting.
• Listen to others but judge for yourself: Stay open to the ideas that others are sharing. You don’t have to agree with them, but listening to others can spark ideas of your own that will help you during change. Besides, even if what they tell you doesn’t work right now, it doesn’t mean that it won’t work later.
• Create your own sanctuary: Your sanctuary must be something very resistant to change. So it can’t be a process or train of thought that needs specific things. But here is a secret, if you develop a spiritual practice or routine, you will be on the other side. Remember, this doesn’t mean any religion or belief. but having a connection with something greater than you can certainly help you to cope with change, even a disaster can lose a lot of their power if you have a strong practice. I suggest you meditation or a mindfulness practice, experiment with the one you like the most.
• Develop a support group: You are not the only one trying to adapt to change. Form a strong support group with people you trust. Help them when you have an edge in the situation and listen to their advise when you need it. The power of community is incredible, and having someone to listen to you during a difficult time can be just what you need to survive during a crisis.

Remember: you can do it!

Keep in mind that every difficulty, crisis or simple change is different and will need a very specific approach. But there is one simple constant that runs above every tip I can give you: You can survive change and face your fears.

Adapting to change is a skill and you can learn it, it doesn’t have anything to do with fearless genes or natural born greatness. It’s your work and your if you put your whole heart, mind and soul into it, you will see that even the biggest of the crisis turn into a challenge and an opportunity for you to grow. And just to be clear, I believe you can do it.

Share this post with the buttons below and start forming your support group now. or share your stories or difficulties when adapting to change and I will try my best to help you.