Preach on Mr. Lagerfeld!
We've all heard the saying, 'change is the only constant', and at this point in my life I can't believe anything to be more true. Right when we get into a groove and things are as comfortable as a Sunday afternoon in our p.j.'s, our world is rocked upside down and we are forced into change. We set our self up to coast through life. We want to be comfortable with where our life is headed and at what pace it is getting there, but ultimately things don't always work out the way we had planned. I believe there is a reason for this.
What does Karl Lagerfeld mean by, "Change is the healthiest way to survive"? People tend to fear change as it typical creates a period of uncertainty or discomfort, but we must remind our self that it is normal and most of us will experience unpredictable change in both our professional and person lives. Change not only helps us survive, it helps us to thrive. Change occurs as a result of new thinking, advances in technology, gains in knowledge and experience, innovation and progress, as well as growth, and the union or separation of something/persons. All of these things can lead us to something bigger, better and brighter. If we kept everything the same and comfortable we would never challenge ourselves to be better and the best version of us. During a time of transition we experience a lot of personal growth and this is something that can not be manufactured or attained if we live day to day in our padded wall room, fully equipped with personal helmet, elbow and knee pads, as well as a bubble in case you want to keep things rrrrreal constant!!
Here is an a simple example of change facilitating positive outcome:
You have been doing the same gym routine for 6 months. When you first began you had trouble breathing and could barely complete the workout. Currently, the routine makes you break a sweat, but you could do it with your eyes closed and with one hand behind your back. You decide to see a personal trainer and your new routine involves exercises you have never done, heavier weights, short bursts of high intensity, and sprints. One word to describe this new workout: Unbearable. You can barely complete it and you want to rip your trainer's head off when they tell you to hold the plank another 30 seconds! After 4 weeks of this new workout your arms are noticeable more defined, you have loads of energy and the layer of cottage cheese on your rump and thighs is melting like a snowman in July. The point being, if you kept doing what you always did, you will get what you always got.
I recently experienced an abrupt change. I started a new job that I was very excited about, and took me 3 months of searching to find, interview, and land. I had 6 weeks of training and poured my mental and physical energy into studying, learning and becoming the best sales representative and asset I could be. After about 7 weeks in the field an unfortunate e-mail landed in my inbox at 3:30am. The company is based in Japan, so at the end of business in Japan on Wednesday the company send a notice about a global restructure. I had a 50/50 chance of staying. My boss was given the task of calling each employee on his team the next morning to tell them if they were in the clear. My boss couldn't have been more sincere and sorrowful sharing the news that I had fallen victim to the restructure. Last to hire, first to fire ran through my head the previous day and that had now become my reality.
This change is testing me and my attitude, and wants to see where I will go and what I will do with it. I could pout and ponder 'why me?' but that won't accomplish much. In fact, dwelling on the negativity of the situations can actually make things worse. The mind is a powerful thing, and you are in the driver's seat of the mind. If you drive your mind into the dark depths of despair it will stay there until you 'man up' and drive toward the light. Unfortunately, once in the dark it can be an uphill climb to something brighter. The solution: don't let yourself go to the dark side.
I took 4 days to digest what had happened, and then I buried it and moved onto forming a plan. Losing a job can cause a great deal of stress as well as panic to find something quickly. Nothing can change the reality of needing a job to create income in order to support your life and habits (healthy ones of course)...well unless you are independently weatlhy. I however was not born into the lucky gene pool so I've pulled the boot straps up and am moving on with a healthy mindset and twinkle in my eye. There is a reason this change came into my life, and I am prepared to use it as a launching pad to something bigger and better. I'm not sure what that is or why this change occurred, but one thing I'm certain of, is the next step is going to be a great one. Your attitude is everything and it is contagious. In order to attract something grand to your life, you must emit the same energy. This lemon is going to be cut, squeezed and turned into spiked lemonade.
I'll end with something for you to think about. Use it to analyze where you have been in your personal and professional life and how it led you to where you are now, and where you may go in the future.
Your journey has molded you for your greater good,
and it was exactly what it needed to be.
Don't think that you've lost time.
It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now.
And NOW is right on time.
Here is to embracing change and being the best version of you!
Cheers,
Stacy
No comments:
Post a Comment