President's Message
Coping with Change... How Are You Doing?
By Taryn Light
"Life is not only a challenge... it's an opportunity."
Change is Natural
It's spring and changes are happening all around us. Some changes are visible—the scars of winter are gone and the flowers and grass look our way and smile at us. With each change of season in New England, we rummage through storage boxes of clothes and try on our next season's garments. For some, change is welcome. For most, however, change is uncomfortable (and I'm not referring to the jeans that fit last summer and are now a bit snug!).
Some Thrive on Change
A friend and colleague of mine loves change so much that he moves the furniture around his home every few months. This is probably good for his children, because they are growing up with change and naturally adjusting to it. I have another dear friend whose father was in the military so she moved around the world many, many times growing up. She learned to adjust to change so that when she became unemployed, working as a contractor was an adjustment that she could make gracefully. And there's my sister. Even as a little child, my sister moved the furniture in her bedroom at the end of every semester. We have a joke in our family that my sister loves change so much that she has it in her will to move her tombstone every 2 years. We can all quickly embrace change when exciting, positive news enters our lives such as a marriage, birth, new job, or winning the lottery. So sometimes, we like change.
Most Dislike Change
We can applaud those who love change and not understand them at the same time. I would venture to say that even for the people who thrive on change, if the change is negative and occurs out of their control, they don't like it either. So here we are. Everyone, on occasion, dislikes change. Change happens all around us—and within us—every day. We are getting older and our family members are getting older. We are working on a job or working to get a job. If there is no change in our lives, then we are not truly living. Sometimes change is clearly unwanted, such as the death of a loved one, the dissolution of a friendship, or the loss of job security.
Changes with Employment
A year ago, another colleague of ours was a manager a large company and had a dozen writers working for her. Today, she and one other employee are responsible for writing and updating all the documentation on time. Due to the economy, employers are demanding more work of fewer people in less time. This is a difficult change for everyone. For those who are unemployed, the struggle with change is in our lifestyles and our goals. We seek advice and leads from every source available. These are difficult times, indeed.
The Personal Side of Change
Well, we've got to admit that sometimes we like change and other times we don't. The key to surviving change is our attitude and the approach to how we adjust. Even subtle summer leaves are pliable and toss in the wind without breaking or disconnecting from the tree. As winter approaches, however, these same leaves become brittle, break, separate from the tree, and die. There is a lot we can't control. But there is a lot we can control. And controlling how we adjust to change is within us.
Take Action Right Now!
I challenge you to take action now. You are a special person; there has never been, nor will there be, another you. And because you are unique, only you can develop your special talents. You may need help along the way, but only you can take the action to carry out your plan. Write down your goals and create a personal plan of action. Give it all you've got. Years ago I wrote a poem called "A Brass Ring" to help encourage a friend who became divorced, separated from his three children, lost his job, watched as his father was dying, and suffered from deep despair. I share it with you as an encouragement. Remember, you are very special. Give life your very best!
Taryn Light, President of the STC Boston Chapter, is the Content Solutions Manager at ArchiText in Methuen, MA. You can reach her at taryn.light@verizon.net.
|
