If you think change is stressful, try NOT changing. Are you resisting it, avoiding it, or embracing it? Have you had it up to here with facing so much change? Today’s leadership is faced with the reality that change is more vital than ever to stay in the game.

Does your team need a fresh, new perspective on change in the workplace? Do they need to get inspired and motivated to action? Well, it’s time!

As I travel across the country speaking to various organizations, the one question I get asked over and over is: "How do we handle all this change?" One thing we can count on for sure is the fact that change is constant. We see changes in procedures, technology, communication, marketing, sales, and distribution. So, since we all have to deal with change in one way or another, here are three secrets for powerful, effective change:

1.    DECIDE to embrace change.  We have to start somewhere. The first step is to make the decision to have a positive attitude about change! Yes, you can make that choice and role model it to your staff. Talk about it with them. Let it become a habit. We can’t always choose our circumstances, but we always choose our response. We all have the power to do that in every situation!

Embracing and managing change reduces stress both on and off the job. What’s not to love about that? Realize that change helps your organization grow into a stronger, well-oiled, relevant, successful organization. Keep focused on the end result.

You can make the decision to begin today to embrace… instead of resist… change. In fact, just deciding to change is energizing. You’ll get the momentum flowing.  My Grandma used to remind me that, “Well begun is half done!”

2. DISCOVER all the possibilities. After we've decided to accept a new perspective on change, it's time for the next step—to discover various possibilities to take us to our goal. This helps us to change effectively. Try out different options to discover what brings your organization the very best results. Be open to the creative ideas of your staff. They can be a gold mine!

My Uncle Eddie invented a mini-donut machine in his garage. For years, he tweaked his plans until the device ran smoothly. Then he worked with his production and marketing teams to take his machines worldwide. They’re now distributed to fairs, sports arenas, and malls around the U.S. and 68 foreign countries. 

You may not get delirious about donuts, but discover the possibilities that work best for attaining your organization’s goals. Take some risks. As Wayne Gretzky says, “We miss 100% of the shots we don’t take!”

3. DEVOTE yourself to hanging in there while your organization and the rest of the world keep changing. This is where the big, valuable stuff really happens. You can take giant leaps forward by devoting your time, research, and efforts to the important areas that need changing. Be open to improvements and upgrades in every area. Break it down into small chunks, and keep on it consistently.

Change doesn't need to be overwhelming. It may feel tempting to lower our expectations, to settle for less, to detour our further success. But if nothing changes—nothing changes! Yep. To get better results, we’ve got to eliminate the things that aren’t working and focus on what’s good…to make it better. You can do it. Throwing in the towel just leads to a bigger pile of laundry!

Remember the 3 D's: DECIDE, DISCOVER, and DEVOTE. That's what it takes to embrace and manage change in tough times.

I wish you the best on your changing pathway. You and your team really can keep fired up through change. It’s GO time!

Carol Grace Anderson, M.A., is a motivational expert, speaker, and the author of the popular book: Get Fired Up Without Burning Out! Visit her website at: www.GetFiredUp.com

© 2010 Carol Grace Anderson

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