How to Thrive in Change

The question, Clare Fitzsimmons, expert in leadership development and change management, gets asked more than anything is: “How can I thrive when I am experiencing so much change?” As COVID thwarts the routine, this question seems more relevant than ever. Years of research by psychologists have found the most likely predictor of whether someone will thrive in change is the mindset they possess! Fitzsimmons explores the attributes of individuals who thrive in transitions and shows us how to find opportunity in every situation! Continue to grow, learn, and develop, no matter what life throws at you!

So, how can we start thriving in change right now?

1. Shift from a fixed to a growth mindset

Humans have an evolutionary negativity bias, in which our brains scan for immediate threats and danger. Our minds automatically prioritize negative data over positive, often triggering our survival mode. Change, which is destabilizing, can activate this fight-flight-freeze response. While this function has served the human race in the past, it isn’t a sustainable state. We enter a fixed mindset which is narrow, catastrophizes, and thinks in rigid statements. Individuals who choose growth mindsets – which explore possibilities - are likelier to thrive in change. To succeed during transitions, we must consciously make efforts to shift from fixed to growth mindsets. We do this by loosening control, thinking expansively, and seeking the positive influence of every situation we’re in.

2. Connect back to passion and purpose

As our environment changes, so does our mode of navigating in it. Connecting back to passion and purpose is a useful way of restructuring for new conditions. Adaptation and finding new ways of operating are key for thriving in change. So, ask yourself: “What is my passion? What is my purpose? How can I stay true to my purpose in a different way?” What we do might look different in the new normal, but if we can get clear on what matters to us, it’s a good starting point for exploring other avenues for fulfilling our purpose. We may even develop a new arm to our business and a larger customer base in the process!

3. Aim for small steps

There’s a big temptation to immediately change everything and start thinking, “ I’m going to completely rewire myself!” Prioritize. Think about what the most pressing problems are and which fears in change you’re experiencing right now? What’s taking up the most headspace for you? It’s likely there will be several issues. Take a notebook and record every fear, worry, and threat that you’ve identified in this change. Pick the most pressing subject and reframe it from a growth mindset. Rather than reacting to the situation, step back, and question it. This engages the rational side of the brain. Ask yourself different open questions, such as: “How could I look at this differently? What assumptions have I made? What is beyond my control in this situation that I need to accept? What can I control? What could be an opportunity for me here?” Incrementally challenging your default negative will allow for a profound shift to a growth mindset.

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