How to Manage Change Without Turning into Frog Soup
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Title: How to Manage Change Without Turning into Frog Soup
Word Count: 412
Author: Regina Barr
Email: red.ladder@yahoo.com
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How to Manage Change Without Turning into Frog Soup
Copyright 2006 Red Ladder, Inc.
How often have you heard the statement, the only thing
constant is change. No kidding, right? Anyone living on the
planet earth can attest to that statement.
For most of us, the pace of change seems to have picked up
dramatically over the past few years, thanks in part to the
increased availability and use of technology, as well as
the global economy in which we now live and work. Layer on
all of the merger and acquisition activity and the ongoing
waves of layoffs, and you have a recipe for constant
change. Coping with all this change in the workplace is
becoming increasingly difficult for people because many of
us naturally fear change or resist getting out of our
comfort zone.
Do you remember the story of the frog and the pan of hot
water? If you put a frog in a pan of boiling water, it will
leap out instantly. However, if you put a frog in a pan of
cold water and gradually turn up the heat, the frog will
typically remain in the pan of water because it has an
opportunity to adjust to the increase in water temperature.
Unfortunately for most people, when we experience change it
often feels like being thrown into a pan of boiling water.
So what can you do to avoid becoming frog soup? I find the
best way to manage change is to practice a little change
every day, particularly when you have the ability to
control the change.
What does this mean? Take a new route to work. Visit a
musuem during your lunch hour. Buy something new for your
office. Pick up a pair of new sunglasses. Volunteer for a
new project at work. If you usually drink coffee, try tea.
Get a new hairdo. Take an art class. Join toastmasters.
Listen to a new radio station. Take Spanish lessons. Visit
the zoo.
The list could go on and on and is only limited by your
creativity and imagination. The point? Managing change on a
small scale when you are in the driver’s seat, helps you to
develop the resilience to manage change on a larger scale.
So the next time you find yourself in the midst of change,
relax and focus on the possibilities. After all, you’ve
been practicing, right? And you never know, it could be fun
and you might even like what change comes your way.
Otherwise, you might just find yourself eating frog soup.
About the Author:
Regina Barr is a management consultant and speaker who
helps companies develop strategies to attract, develop and
retain women leaders. Sign up for her FREE Ezine,
Developing People...Inspiring Success at
www.RedLadder.com .
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