{"id":6504,"date":"2020-01-06T20:46:12","date_gmt":"2020-01-07T00:46:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=6504"},"modified":"2021-11-11T12:51:20","modified_gmt":"2021-11-11T16:51:20","slug":"dealing-with-change-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/dealing-with-change-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Dealing with Change at Work in 5 Simple Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A common change in many people\u2019s lives involves their jobs. Jobs and careers aren’t static. If your job is redefined or eliminated, applying the principles in Who Moved My Cheese <\/em>can help you with dealing with change at work successfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’ll cover the seven steps of successfully dealing with change in the workplace, including examples of each of the steps. Learning how to deal with change<\/a> at work can be hard, but it’s an essential skill to develop, and these strategies from Who Moved My Cheese<\/em> are the secret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Coping with Change at Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Step #1 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To start with, watch for change <\/strong>by paying attention<\/a> to company statements, workload and structural changes, and industry trends<\/a>. If you sniff out change, you can prepare for change<\/a><\/strong> by getting your personal finances in order, adding a part-time job, learning a new skill to develop your job in a different direction, or moving to a new company. This is crucial for dealing with change at work.
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Step #2 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t try to hold on to the past<\/strong> (don\u2019t wait for the cheese to reappear) by ignoring warning signs, resisting new skill requirements, or by just working harder at what you know. Changing work can be scary, and it\u2019s tempting to be in denial, but the longer you do this, the more you hurt yourself, and the worse you because at coping with change at work. 
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Step #3 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To combat the fear and learn how to deal with change at work, envision something better <\/strong>(picture new cheese) \u2014 this can be an opportunity to do something you\u2019ve always wanted to do, but couldn\u2019t because the job tied you down. Now that you\u2019re free of old constraints, imagine yourself succeeding in a new role. Focus on what you can gain through change<\/strong> rather than what you might lose. Possibilities include a chance to use latent creativity in a different job, having new experiences, or moving to a different part of the world. 
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Step #4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t let fear paralyze or hold you back<\/strong> from trying something new, whether it\u2019s learning a new skill at the same company, or doing something different. Don\u2019t be afraid to leave your comfort zone<\/strong>, because doing something offers a better chance of success<\/a> than doing nothing. If you don\u2019t move quickly to adapt<\/strong> you may lose your best chance. For instance, others will learn new skills and fill jobs that could have been yours.
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Step #5 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Learn to enjoy change <\/strong>\u2014 it can offer rewards such as greater income, new relationships, or greater job satisfaction from using more of your talents. Seeing the bright side is critical for dealing with change in the workplace. Finally, expect and prepare for continuous change<\/strong> by always growing and learning in your personal and professional life.
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The moral of the cheese story is that the end of the old can also be the beginning of something better. This reminder is the key to dealing with change at work.
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How to Deal with Change at Work and in Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These are the lessons applied more generally, not just for dealing with change in the workplace (but the principles remain the same):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do to handle change<\/a> successfully:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be prepared for change<\/em>: Just as in coping with change at work, pay attention to signs of change in your environment, whether it\u2019s layoffs at your workplace, new aches and pains, or strains in your home life. Consider how potential changes could affect you and develop a plan to handle them – for instance, by learning new skills<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n