Facing ... something new ... I think

I’ve been heard to quote the saying, “Some days you’re the pigeon, some days you’re the statue.” I’ve had a few of what I call statue days in the last while.

It started with unexpectedly being laid off from my job. That’s never fun, especially when you don’t see it coming. The fact that my personal calendar (entered on my work one to keep it all in one place) and some significant industry association email documents disappeared with the job further complicated my life for a few days.

Change is never easy. There’s a reason why change management has become a legitimate need in industry. People naturally resist change, even when they know it will probably be good in the long run – like the saying about preferring the devil you know to the one you don’t. 

Is there any fear greater than the fear of the unknown? Probably, but it’s hard to think of it when you’re facing a big, gaping stretch of unknown.

When you don’t know where the change is taking you, it’s even scarier. Is there any fear greater than the fear of the unknown? Probably, but it’s hard to think of it when you’re facing a big, gaping stretch of unknown.

Through my life, I’ve faced many changes, some chosen, some thrust upon me. They’re all scary. And they’ve all opened new doors for me, some of which I may not have envisioned at all without the forced change. I enjoyed some of the new rooms on the other side of those doors more than I did others, but they all taught me something.

So I’ve promised myself that I’m going to use this down time, however long or short it ends up being, to relax, concentrate on my health, and think about what I really want to do with my work and life. I may even decide what I want to be when I grow up.

Of course, not having a job will raise other people’s expectations of my available time, too. I guess I'll have to give in and take down the Christmas tree in the living room. (I’ll get to it, but it’s still not at the top of my priority list.)

I will ignore the well-meaning relatives who ask me how many other jobs I’ve applied for so far, and use the short-term safety net I’m lucky enough to have, to concentrate on me. When I’m ready, then I’ll apply all the good tips in my friend Kristen’s recent blog about job hunting.

Because even if this change was forced upon me, I am determined to make it a good change. As everyone’s favourite animated green ogre says, “Change is good, Donkey.” I’m going to see that it is.

What tips do you have for handling change? All hard-earned wisdom welcome!