Adapting To Change

Name: Date: Adapting to Change:

Course Outline: I. The Whirlwind of Change II. Phases of change III. Test Drive Change IV. Who moved my cheese? Objectives: By the end of this training participants will be able to: 1) Discuss the different phases of change 2) Give examples on how to apply test-drive change. 3) Relate learning from Who moved my cheese to changes that are experienced in life. ACTIVITY: CHANGE-O-METER The Whirlwind of change: Change its everywhere, our personal world, our work world. It filters into almost every moment of our lives. Yet change is not new. The earth and its inhabitants have been adapting since the beginning of time. Whats different about todays changes? The amount of change has risen dramatically. When you think about the number of inventions that have occurred in your lifetime alone. Its astounding. The Speed of change. Do you even have time to adapt to a change before another one comes along. The complexity of the changes. Todays changes include technology, teams, economic pressures, global connections.

DISCUSS CHANGE O METER RESULTS A New Approach To survive, we need to harness the whirlwind of change. The only way to do that is t find a new approach to change. Learning how to view and manage it in a new way is possibly the most important personal change that you can make. HOW TO DO THAT IS WHAT THIS PROGRAM IS ALL ABOUT.

ACTIVITY: Change self assessment: Whats your style? (separate handout)

II. PHASES OF CHANGE: Getting from Here to There: Theres really no such thing as business as usual anymore. Change is here to stay. And change can occur in a variety of ways. Change usually involves one or more of the following: The people you work with Tasks and responsibilities The environment in which you work.

The Phases of Change:

Think of change as a journey, beginning the moment a change is introduced and ending when it becomes a familiar way of doing things. Regardless of how or when change happens. We all follow a predictable pattern as we adapt to change, this pattern has four phases.

Change: Something happens to change your job, your relationships, or your environment. For example, you learn that you have to divide your time between current responsibilities and a special project task force. The unknown: Disorientation occurs as a result of having to deal with this new situation. For example, youre nervous about how youll handle both job responsibilities. Will you be able to do it? What will you have to do on the task force? The adjustment: You begin to get involved in making the change happen. You gradually adjust to the change as you move through this phase. For example, now that youve been on the task force a few weeks, you understand your role and are getting more comfortable because you are involved. The new norm: The change is part of your normal routine. For example, task force responsibilities are as familiar to you as your normal duties. Although more changes can occur, you know hot to handle them.

THE CHANGE: As soon as you hear that change is in the works you are initiated to the change process and begin your journey. You realize that things are not the same; something has happened that is changing your job, work relationships or work environment. YOUR REACTION: This usually causes an emotional reaction, some negative and positive. This phase might only last a few minutes or it might take longer. Fear/shock Anger

Frustration Hopefulness Enthusiasm Indifference

Think of a change that you experienced recently. How did you react or feel when you heard that the change was happening? Write your response below: ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________ WHAT NOW? Accept your feelings as normal and sort them through. Have confidence in your ability to handle whatever might occur. Be proactive and not reactive.

THE UNKNOWN: You have entered the change, all the rules have changed. No wonder you feel disoriented. Confusion is a universal and natural reaction to change. After you learn about a change, you might as ask yourself: What will happen? How will it affect me? What is the purpose of the change? What are my concerns about the change and I commit to it?

YOUR REACTION: During this phase you might react to the change in variety of ways: Lack of trust Blind acceptance Rebellion/Sabotage Uncertainty Caution

Think of a change that you experienced recently. During this stage how did you feel? What did you do? Write your response below: ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________ WHAT NOW? Work through the disorientation caused by the change. Take steps to help you clarify the change and overcome resistance. To overcome disorientation, try to make the unknown, known.

THE ADJUSTMENT: As you continue to make the unknown known, youll begin to figure out what to do to put the change in place. You need to make adjustments and reorient yourself. This phase can be exciting and energizing as you start to make your own road map. During The Adjustment you might: Ask what can I do to make this change happen?, Then, take action! Define issues and priorities. Then gather information about them. Understand the change and what adjustments you need to make.

YOUR REACTION: Adjusting is not easy. Its hard to do things differently or to know whats expected of you. Sometimes it seems that no one as the answers or knows whats right. So, during this phase you might feel or respond in a variety of ways: Unskilled Willing and able to act Getting nowhere In control This change was a mistake Blaming others

Think of a change that you experienced recently. How did you feel or react as you began to make the adjustment? Write your responses below. ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________ WHAT NOW? Have confidence in yourself and your ability to take the steps to adjust. Find out what you need to work on through the confusion. Do your part to make the change successful

THE NEW NORM: As you make the adjustments, it gets easier to integrate the change into your life, to make it feel normal. During the new norm phase, you see the change more clearly and get used t doing things differently. Fear drops; confidence increases. The change becomes integrated into your routine. As you move through this phase, you might: Ask yourself What can I do to make this change work?, Act on your response. Celebrate successes and achievement of goals. Seek out new challenges or suggest improvements.

YOUR REACTION: As in any phase of change, there can be setbacks, more change, or confusion. Your reactions can very, but might include these: She wont change Its taking so long. They shouldve thought of this The end is in sight.

Think of a change that you experienced recently. How did you feel or react as you adjusted to the new norm? Write your response below: ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________ WHAT NOW? Take initiative and be involved. Look for ways to enhance the change, include improvements and ways to overcome obstacles.

ACTIVITY: CHANGE SNAPSHOT (separate handout) What Steps Can I Take? The Change Emergency Kit: Like a journey into an unfamiliar territory, change can be confusing and scary. You often are unprepared for what lies ahead. Its easy to get lost because there are no familiar landmarks. You can hit unexpected obstacles. Not knowing where you are or what to do about it can make you doubt yourself and take unnecessary detours.

Having a change emergency kit gives you more control and confidence, in spite of all the confusion around you. Your emergency kit is called TEST DRIVE CHANGE. TEST stands for the four techniques that you can use anytime to find your direction and help you with the phases of change. THINK ABOUT IT EXAMINE FEELINGS SEEK INFORMATION TAKE CHARGE

THINK ABOUT IT A change has just occurred. Your natural and immediate urge is to REACT! What would you gain by taking a deep breath first allowing a moment to think about it. Key actions: Step back before you react. Identify how the change differs from your expectations. Reflect on your individual needs.

Specific ways to think about it Take a deep breath and count up to 10 or 100. Take time to put things in perspective. Dont jump into conclusions or make assumptions.

Ask yourself what the change means to you. Dont think the worst. Ask yourself, How does this change my plans for the future? Finish this sentence, I expected _____. Now that might not happen. Sleep on it. Check your reactions with an honest friend.

EXAMINE FEELINGS: With any change, come positive and negative feelings. These are normal and a necessary part of the change process. You need to shine a light on all your reactions. How do you EXAMINE feelings about change? Key actions: Know that your feelings are normal. Explore and express feelings to yourself and others. Identify what you need to let go to accept change.

Specific ways to examine feelings: Talk to your family and friends Begin a journal and describe your feelings and experiences. Ask yourself, Why do I feel this way? , five times. Believe that change can be beneficial. List positives and negatives of the change Ask yourself, what is most important to me? What do I need in order to accept this change? Dont look back at the way things used to be. Trust yourself and others. If appropriate, allow yourself to grieve the passing of the old ways. Identify which phase of change you are currently experiencing. Understand that your feelings and reactions are normal. Dont guess at people motives.

SEEK INFORMATION: One of the most important actions to take to adapt to change is to seek accurate information about what is changing and why. KEY ACTIONS: Consider what you know and dont know. Turn rumors and assumptions into facts by seeking to make the unknown known. Listen objectively. Identify what you can and cant influence. Look for opportunities to take action.

Specific ways to seek information: Think creatively to identify helpful resources.

Write down what you need to find out; begin a list of questions, then ask them. Understand that all the answers might not be available right now. Accept uncertainty when you cant get answers. Work to understand the reasons for change. Get advice from people who have gone through a similar change. Work to understand what will be different and what you can influence. Clarify roles and responsibilities. Separate fact from fiction.

TAKE CHARGE: Adapting to change ultimately means using your skills and the tools at hand to make the change work for you. What can you do to TAKE CHARGE of your future? Key actions: View change as an opportunity to continuously learn and grow. Let go of the past. Seek ways to help implement the change. Measure progress, make adjustments and celebrate achievements. Seek and offer support.

Specific ways to take charge: Make a to-do list, prioritize it and take action Ask, What can I do to help make this change?, and act on your response. Find humor, when possible, in difficult situations. Keep some part of your life predictable. Focus on gains from the change to keep yourself and others motivated. Help others to adapt. Focus on what you can influence; dont worry about things you cant control. Take things one step at a time. Look for opportunities and improvements and obstacles, or suggest change, as needed. Avoid blaming others; fix it yourself. Alter your expectations as needed.

ACTIVITY: A REAL LIFE SITUATION (Separate Handout)

Who Moved my Cheese?

Cheese a metaphor for what w job, a relationship, money, a big h spiritual peace, or even an activity

Each of us has our own idea of wh we believe it makes us happy. If w And if we lose it, or its taken awa Let us now read the story.