Preparing For Change: 5 Strategies for Handling Life’s Transitions

In life, change is inevitable. Preparing for change can significantly smooth the transition process.

Sometimes change hits us like a bullet train, and there’s nothing we can do to avoid it.  We don’t see it coming, and we can’t understand why it happened. All we can do is hold on for dear life as we plunge into a new unfamiliar world.

But not all change comes without foresight.  Oftentimes, change looms like Godzilla lumbering toward Tokyo.  Mothers have a 9-month leeway before having a baby, for example.  High school seniors know when they graduate and afterward the first day of college.  People can predict even less obvious changes, such as knowing their company will go through a series of lay-offs months before the axe falls. Simply paying attention to the world around you gives you insight into what might happen next.

Strategies in Preparing for Change

In moments of impending change, there exists a temptation to remain within the comforting realms of stability, seeking to savor the remaining moments before life shifts. Procrastination in preparing for change, however, can be detrimental. The following are several strategies you can employ to effectively prepare for foreseen change.

1. Create a list of positive outcomes.

Even the most flexible people can become overwhelmed by change.  Start your mental preparation for change by thinking about all the good things that will come of this change.  Make sure to refer back to this list often as you slide from your old life to the new.  This will remind you why change, even if it is frustrating, can lead to better things.

2. Make plans for negative consequences.

Only you can decide which negative outcomes are easy to bear and which ones will make your life miserable.  For the latter, plan a few coping mechanisms to get you through. This might mean devoting more time to stress-reducing activities (such as exercise) or deciding to spend more personal time on yourself during the first few weeks of change.

3. Speak to your loved ones.

We often forget changes not only affect us but also those around us.  Whenever possible, give your loved ones a heads up on how the change might affect you and your relationship with them. Some changes require more of your time, meaning you have less time for socialization.  Giving them a heads up helps them to understand why you might be more stressed during the change period.  Your loved ones may surprise you by helping you through the transition.

4. Identify your constants.

Even a huge personal change, like moving to another country, doesn’t mean everything you ever knew will disappear.  You can still maintain relationships with loved ones, enjoy favorite hobbies, or even establish a familiar morning routine.  Identifying things that will remain the same, and keeping them the same, will help give your life a semblance of consistency amidst change.

And remember, once change hits, you should always…

5. Give yourself time to adjust.

No matter how well prepared you may be, things will occur that you cannot expect.  Remember that you will need an adjustment period to get used to the change.  Try not to let new circumstances completely overwhelm you at first.  Taking things one day at a time, rather than looking forward to next month or next year, can make the change more bearable.

Ultimately, change can be good or bad.  It is always up to you to decide if a change is for the better or for the worse.  However, if you give yourself time to prepare for change, you might surprise yourself with how much you can accomplish.