Staying yourself through big changes

"The only constant in life is change": the Greek philosopher Heraclitus was right. His view of the world was built on the idea that chaos (change) and logos (order) always go hand in hand. But how do we deal with that divorce, that house move or that dismissal we never saw coming? And that is before we even mention geopolitical turbulence.

Below, Aline Hupert, psychologist and Community Manager at BloomUp, shares our best tools to keep a grip during a transition, or as Heraclitus might say (the best ways to find logos in the chaos):

Aline Hupert, psychologist and community manager

1. Focus on your body:

Did you know that your body calms down faster than your thoughts? So make sure you get enough exercise and relaxation every day. When outside things cannot be controlled, it helps to focus on what you can control.

Examples:

• start and end your day with stretching
• breathe for 3 minutes before a difficult conversation
• go for a walk without your phone
• treat yourself to a massage

2. Frame your day:

Change blurs boundaries, so structure in time brings calm. I start and end my day on my yoga mat myself (a candle lit and 30 minutes of stretching and breathing), and afterwards I go for a walk.

Examples:

• get up & go to bed at a fixed time
• a lunch break without a screen
• plan your meals (simple but healthy is the best idea)

3. Reflect:

Remind yourself who you are, apart from the change that is going on. What are your core values? What things have always been typical of you?

Examples:

• do something that has always been typical of you (a passion, something creative, ...)
• write a post-it and stick it up: "even in uncertainty, I am someone who ... "
• write a short piece at the end of the day about who you are

4. Connect through relationships:

Your nervous system needs other people. Feel and distinguish between the people you feel safe with and those you do not. You do not have to carry your worries alone.

Examples:

• keep in touch with your family
• check in with a friend at set times
• make new friends who share a hobby or passion with you

What's next?

Keeping a grip during a transition is one thing. Guiding a whole team through change is something else.

In our latest webinar on leadership in times of change, we look at how you as a manager can radiate calm without glossing over reality, and how to keep your team engaged when the ground is shifting.

Watch the webinar replay here.

Do you notice that change programmes in your organization put more pressure on people than expected? We are happy to think with you about an approach that goes beyond one-off initiatives. Book a conversation using the button below.