Change is a Constant: Navigate it like a Pro

Change is the one thing we can count on in our careers. Even when we hit a target or reach a goal, change inevitably follows—because we either set a new goal, or we’re handed a fresh challenge or an updated number to reach. As we move into the fourth quarter of 2024, striving to meet our year-end goals, it’s important to remember that we’ll be setting new ones in the new year. With every new goal comes change. It’s a cycle: we are constantly leveling up, and with every advancement, change is right there with us.

Here’s the thing: if we know change is a constant, why do we handle it so poorly? 

Change is not a new phenomenon. In fact, people throughout history have wrestled with the idea of change:

- “The only thing that is constant is change.” — Heraclitus, c. 500 BC

- “Change before you have to.” — Jack Welch, former CEO of GE

- “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” — Leo Tolstoy, 19th century

These quotes from different time periods show that change is inevitable, yet most of us still struggle with it. But what if we didn’t? What if we had a simple, go-to method for handling change—like a pro?

That’s exactly what I’ve been working on and sharing with organizations across the U.S. As businesses adapt to ever-shifting landscapes, the need to address change and uncertainty has become critical for fostering mental wellness and resilience in the workplace. I’ve spoken to groups ranging from software engineers and cybersecurity professionals to realtors, bankers, and even bakers. Yes, even the people making your cookies and snack foods are feeling the pressure. With rising costs of goods, fluctuating supply chains, and the challenge of maintaining a full workforce, they’re dealing with a mountain of change and uncertainty.

To these groups—and to you—I offer a solution. It’s a **mental GPS for navigating change**. Think about how a GPS works when you’re on a road trip: it knows where you are and where you’re headed. When you hit a roadblock, encounter an accident, or face a detour, it recalculates your route. It doesn’t panic; it simply finds a new way to get you to your destination. This is exactly what we need in life—a mental GPS that recalculates when change arises, without derailing us.

I’ve created a framework for handling change that’s just as straightforward as a GPS. It’s fun to deliver and even more fun to watch the lightbulb moments as people apply it to their own lives. It’s a simple, elegant system: **four steps to get you from where you are to where you’re going without getting stuck along the way.** And, it takes some of the stress out of the process.

Knowing you can handle change like a pro transforms uncertainty from something to fear into something you can manage. Change will always be part of our lives—we even create change ourselves when we level up, strive for more, or challenge ourselves to grow. If you’re reading this, you’re likely someone who constantly seeks improvement, so it’s time to get comfortable with the idea that change is not the enemy; it’s a constant.

Stay tuned, or reach out to learn more about how to become a master at handling change. In the meantime, I wish you the best as we all dive into the fourth quarter. Let’s make sure this next chapter is the best one of 2024!