Change Direction

Change. An endless subject close to my heart, hence the title of my website http://www.change-direction.com Change management is a crucial subject to a modern business, large or small. A business depends on people, people tend to resist change, and business have to change or die. A continuous conflict in reality, but one that can be "managed".

My own experience in project management was always implementing changes that affected, sometimes in a big way, real people, with real families who depended on them. I thrived on change and implementing change; but I also took great trouble to be sensitive, as far as possible, to those affected by any changes I was responsible for implementing. The simple fact is, most people become defensive when change is on the horizon. I recognized I was not "normal" in that respect.

The article below by Keith Varnum is about personal change management, rather than change management in business. However, the two are intertwined. Change is change is change; and we have to deal with it all. Either we deal with it positively, in other words manage change, or let it deal with us. Change can cause an awful lot of distress if you allow it to control you. So, the answer is, to assert control. Be constructive, positive and welcoming when change comes knocking at the door

Be A Change Master! The person who masters change, masters happiness.

The best way to thrive in today's ever-fluid, volatile world, is to become a master of change. A "Change Master" not only welcomes, invites and celebrates the flux of constantly evolving life, but also consciously drives and directs these rhythms. When you live "smart," you drive change. You don't have to let change drive you. When you shift from a "resistance-to-change" mindset toward a self-empowered frame of mind, you unlock your vitality, creativity and spirit.

Change, the Unwelcome Guest

Most of us were not raised to welcome change. On the contrary, our modern Western culture promotes the opposite: the pursuit of predictability. We're advised to try to keep our life as regular, set and stable as possible. The status quo is sacred. The unknown future is portrayed as dangerous and threatening. "Don't rock the boat!" we're admonished. The collective strategy is that the more aspects of our life that remain the same, the less we have to adjust and adapt. And the less we have to change, the easier life will be. The party line is that change is inevitable-unfortunately!-but certainly no fun. Having to constantly change and grow is experienced as a struggle-a challenging, hard ordeal-by most of our elders.

Make Change Your Ally

Indigenous peoples have a different approach to change. Native peoples live closer to Nature than most Westerners do. And they take their cue from Mother Nature who advises: "Make change your friend, your ally. Allow change to work for you, not against you." The natural world suggests we learn to roll with the punches, so we can enjoy life exuberantly expressing itself through continual change.

Feng-shui Your Life

If we observe elements of nature, we see that water and wind flow with the life's tides of constant change. Water and wind are flexible and fluid, willing to transform shape immediately with the fluctuating forces acting upon them. They move in the direction of the movement of change. They take the quickest, easiest path-the path of least resistance-no matter what changes in form are required. Hence, the whole philosophy and practice of Feng-shui: the art of nurturing energy flow, health and aliveness. The very term literally means "the way of wind and water." In Chinese, "feng" means wind, "shui" means water.

Change as Opportunity

Native peoples wisely view change as a personal opportunity, not as a threat. They know that change brings fresh perspectives and new possibilities. Indigenous peoples look for the gift in every curve ball that life throws us. Indigenous cultures welcome the surprise and spontaneity that naturally accompany change. They know that the more we flow with the fluctuations of life, the more resilient and happier we are.

"How Can I Steer Change to My Advantage?"

Knowing that change is inevitable and ever-occurring, tribal peoples intuitively respond to life's fluctuations ahead of time-rather than waiting until life forces them to change, reacting after the fact. Looking ahead with excitement and clarity, native peoples anticipate the inevitable twists and turns of life's winding river. They prepare themselves and their lives to bend, re-arrange and transform to harmonize with the upcoming meanderings of the river. They know that change is life's agent of renewal and strategy of survival.

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