There is a great memorable quote from the movie Husbands and Wives (1992) by Woody Allen.
Gabe claims that “Change equals death!”; her wife Judy replies:
“What kind of b******t? That’s just a b******t line! Maybe you fool your twenty-year-old students into thinking that’s some kind of a, an insight or something, but it means nothing! Change is what life is made of! Change – if you don’t change, you don’t grow, you just shrivel up!”
Change is necessary. Whether you’re living a difficult moment or a happy one, remember everything is in constant change.
Change is the path to happiness. To embrace it, to learn from each moment, from your mistakes and from your successes: this is the key to a way towards growth and improvement.
Here are 6 ideas to embrace change and create the life you desire and deserve!
1. Create your own path
There is an old saying that goes: “Walk In Your Own Shoes and Be Content in What You Are”, and variations on this theme. We are often doing what society asks from us, or what we think others expect from us. It’s time you focus on what you are. What you enjoy, your skills and background must become the frame of your path toward happiness. It does not mean that this search does not hurt.
It means to review your own beliefs if they are based on what the others think of you. You’ll have to learn to say (graciously) no, even to be misunderstood. You could try asking yourself some questions: When was the last time I FELT REALLY HAPPY and enjoyed what I was doing? What are my SKILLS? I am applying them to do what I want or only what the others expect me to do? What comes NATURALLY to ME? What do I spend most of my TIME THINKING about?
2. But listen to those who know you best
Accept the fact that you do not know everything. Entrust people who you identify as expert and learn from what they can teach you. And look around you. The people who know you best can often see things about you better that you. Once you’ve listen to them, reflect on this and relate it to what you know about yourself.
3. Adapt-ability
Learn the art of Adapting. Instead of trying to prevent changes, and control everything, allow change reshapes your days, months, expectations and beliefs. Life is not based on a black and white palette.
Try to understand and analyze what is transforming, why is transforming, and modify your path.
Learn from experience: if you start understanding changes, you’ll find a lesson and learn to be flexible for the next time. History teaches us that.
In his book 2009 “Adaptability: How to Survive the Change You Didn’t Ask”, innovation strategy expert Max McKeown analyses a series of historical events and demonstrates that the essence of human survival is based on the capacity to adapt: from the prehistoric era, to sub Saharan Africa, from War periods to companies like Starbucks or Netflix.
Start applying the same principle to your own life. Changes are the secret to happiness, but only if you give yourself permission to learn from it.
4. Don’t panic
Fear of failure, uncertainty and rejection must be put aside. Do not think about what others will say of your decisions, you can’t please everyone. If you’ve chosen a path, stick to it, be flexible if something change, and don’t let other people’s judgments hold you back.
Only YOU can know your skills and your flaws, embrace your whole self and go ahead.
5. The importance of allowing yourself a break
Don’t forget to take a breath! Don’t let tiredness take you down. We often forget that vacation, breaks, hobbies, silence, are a wonderful way to let our brain recharge. And when you least expect it, your brain will give you solutions and answers even thought you think you’re not concentrated on your path.
Give yourself credit for reaching results and relax.
6. Keep a diary
When you begin your journey, it is very useful to take notes about your thoughts, your reactions, your purposes, your dreams. Keeping a diary – once a day, once a week – will help you to VISUALIZE your story. It will help to deconstruct, reinvigorate and love your life.
You can download a free diary created exactly for this purpose on www.luciagiovannini.com.
If you want to build the life you want and deserve, read A whole new life.
You can download the first chapter for free here.