Do You Get Anxiety Symptoms From Thinking About Change?
August 29, 2008 7:54 pm Anxiety, Mental Health
Right now I am going through some major changes in my life, retirement, relationships traveling, finances, what else is there? All change, no matter how planned or positive brings some anxiety along with excitement. This article came to me just in time to give me a needed boost. Thanks to my terrific financial advisor Jay Cappon who wrote it. Check him out at his great website
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                                                 Change: How Best To Deal With It
By Jay Cappon
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Change is inevitable, and unfortuunately, dealing with this reality of life is not easy for everyone. A prime example of this are the changes that are now taking place in the economy and the stock market. But I wish to focus not on financial change, but on change in general, and the premise that when we adapt and embrace change, we are more likely to achieve our goals and live our dreams.Â
 One of the great advantages of humans is our ability to adapt to and prepare for change. History is full of countless examples of this, yet, too often we are resistant to change. This is likely due to the comfort that the status quo gives to us. Staying with what is comfortable and familiar keeps us connected to our past, especially if it gives us “good” memories. But we must not lose sight of any exciting opportunities for growth and new experiences that change brings. Being open-minded to new ideas is an essential ingredient for living a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Implementing change in our life often involves a certain degree of risk. How successful we become at accepting and implementing change often depends on how well we prepare for it. The following suggestions are ways in which we can open our minds to change:
- Collect facts about the change Having this information in written form will help you assess the impact of this change on you and how this impact may have a positive outcome.
- Evaluate all the possible risks What may go wrong if you go ahead and implement this change? Can you be negatively affected by the change? What may be the worst-case scenario?
- How will you deal with the risks Once you have identified the risks, develop a solution - in the form of a written plan - for each one.
- Commit yourself to perseverance
Write down your commitment to the change, making it in the form of a contract to yourself. Then, keep it in a location where you will see it regularly as a constant reminder.
- Make the implementation process a series of small steps If you view change as a series of small steps instead of one large one, you will avoid “biting off more than you can chew”. It will be easier for you to reach several small milestones, along with a positive attitude and confidence in yourself.
- Reevaluate your process Be flexible and make any adjustments - changes - as you need to ensure success.
- Reward yourself for each small accomplishment.  Celebrate smaller milestones and monitor the progress you have made. Â
It is very true that change can cause many people to feel anxious or uncertain about the future. Yet, those of us who adapt, prepare for, and monitor change can experience it as one of life’s great motivators– and rewards.
