New policies, management alterations, technological modifications, shifts in company culture, and varied expectations are just a few of the common changes that can occur in the workplace at any given time. While adapting to new procedures is often challenging, an employee’s reluctance to adapt can certainly disrupt the direction of his or her career. Given this fact, there’s no denying that in today’s workplace, flexibility is the key to success.

Here, we review some practical advice on adapting to change in the workplace according to Bob Miglani, bestselling author of “Embrace the Chaos” which discusses moving forward in times of professional uncertainty.

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1.  Accept the new normal.

Most people tend to idealize the past, and often for good reason. However, holding on to the memory of how things once were is counterproductive when changes are present.  As Miglani states, “Let it all go. Let go of the old promises, the way we used to work, the people we used to work with, and the kind of workplace we originally signed up for. Let it go because it doesn’t exist anymore”. However, he continues, “It’s not doom and gloom… some of the best opportunities in life are presented to us when we open up to change”.

2.  Maintain a positive inner dialogue.

It’s quite easy to balk at a new procedure or shift in circumstances, especially when we didn’t find issue with the previous set of regulations or methods. Of course, accepting a new point of view is not something that happens overnight, but maintaining the ability to view any potential change with a positive attitude is certainly integral to one’s capacity to adjust to new situations. “What helps is to have a mentality where we think more about the possibility than impossibility”, says Miglani.

3.  Rework your goals and set out to achieve them.

It’s common for extreme or sudden workplace changes to leave us feeling somewhat directionless or even suspended in a state of limbo. Therefore, when our surroundings change, it’s to be expected that our plans and aspirations will also need to be adjusted. According to Miglani, “By setting a clear goal for ourselves, we can bring about a wonderful new mind shift that helps to direct our energy that is often wasted in so much workplace change”.

4.  Take charge of your own actions.

As in all aspects of life, there will always be factors within our careers which are not within our control. However, as Miglani reminds readers, a great portion of anxiety and stress can emerge from the uncertainty that occurs when we feel we have lost control of a previously manageable situation. This is why it’s important to own our actions, even in a changing workplace. “Allowing ourselves to be pulled into our work, focusing on specific tasks we can do gives us great happiness, fulfillment and meaning”, says Miglani. He continues, “Effort has the possibility to breathe fresh air into a stagnant life”.

5.  Avoid isolating yourself.

Sudden change can sometime cause an individual to feel a sharp reduction in their comfort zone. In fact, this is true of workers on all levels where unfamiliar “terrain”, so to speak, can easily result in the tendency to isolate one’s self. Unfortunately, however, this particular pattern is conducive to neither productivity nor success. Miglani advocates the importance of reaching out to others in both your professional and personal network during times of change. Not only will this help you remain plugged in to your evolving work environment, but it will also expose you to other perspectives, opinions, and even advice. Often, circumstances aren’t quite as dismal (or as unmanageable) as we envision them to be. “Speaking with others allows us to break the negative pattern in our head from all the confusing messages we get at our workplace, boosting our spirit, our resiliency tools, and our energy”, says Miglani.

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To Conclude

The most important factor to keep in mind is that as our surroundings (professional and otherwise) are capable of change, so are we. The evolution of circumstances is not an exclusively external process, as human beings are capable of incredible feats, which includes the amazing internal ability to change, learn, and adapt at will.

More from Stewart Cooper & Coon:  6 Common Workplace Concerns and Solutions

Fred Coon, CEO

Stewart, Cooper & Coon, has helped thousands of decision makers and senior executives move up in their careers and achieve significantly improved financial packages within short time frames. Contact Fred Coon – 866-883-4200, Ext. 200