FEAR OF CHANGE – Part Two

In Part One we suggested that if you were considering making a significant change in your life you should invest a good deal of time in imagining what the change you want would look like.

There is a physiological reason for focusing on the ‘what’ in this way.  We are building up a new neurological pathway in our brain – a ‘gestalt’ or picture which our mind can accept as real.  This will help us move towards this change and not fall back to the status quo.  Only when we are fully clear about the ‘what’ of the change, should we even start to think about the ‘how’.   This means being strong even though the Inner Critic or Gremlin voice constantly intervenes and gives us advice as to why not, or what to watch out for, or how difficult and painful it is going to be.

In Your Life Your Way we also suggest that how we perceive the process of the change is important and we suggest that seeing our change as an adventure is a good way forward.   Like any adventure, we should not set out unprepared.  Getting prepared for the change that we have clearly envisioned helps to give credence to the shift we are preparing to make.

So, as we look at change, realizing that fear is present is a good thing.  Excitement and fear are very closely allied in our spectrum of emotions – why else would white-knuckle rides at the amusement park be so popular?  If you are thinking of taking your own white-knuckle ride, remember:

• Do some self-awareness work first of all so that you are able to approach your desired change from a place of personal strength.
• Spend time envisioning where your white-knuckle ride is taking you.  For here the analogy ends:  It should not be bringing you back to the start of your journey!!
• Look at where you are heading as an adventure.  No matter what type of adventure you use, know that you will need help, you will need allies, you will need to anticipate some of the terrain . . . and you will do the journey one step at a time.
• Determine what your first step or two will be—do not try to figure out the ‘how’ of your final destination.
• Feel all your emotions so they will move through you rather than pull you down or hold you back.
• Set out – yes with some trepidation – but also with the joy of the journey ahead and continue moving forward one step at a time.