The Consistency of Change

“Change is the only constant in life.” 

This quote by the 6th-century BCE philosopher Heraclitus, reflects his belief that life exists in a state of constant flux. It's a good reminder that our modern-day angst over what-may-come is not unique to our times.

The reality is that change is ever present in all sorts of ways. Just look outside. You'll see a natural change happening now. It has been a warm fall where I live, and only now are the leaves starting to provide a beautiful array of hues before the gray days of winter arrive.

While some change brings enjoyment, there is plenty of change that, understandably, generates fear. Take a walk through any neighborhood in the US, you'll likely see signs of another type of impending change; this one is courtesy of our electoral process. What type of change is coming remains to be seen, and the anxiety over the unknown is palpable. These past few years have thrown a lot of change at us, and the idea that we may have more to navigate can feel overwhelming and exhausting.

Getting stuck the see-saws of what-ifs is has become far too easy to do- especially thanks to social media.

I have felt it myself. As deeply committed as I am to the political process, I have found myself in recent days turning off the news and choosing podcasts that have nothing to do with politics or current events. More and more, I make it a point to only look at social media accounts that post cute cat pictures. OK, I probably did that even before election season, but my point is that we are all saturated.

The feeling of saturation can leave us feeling like we are floating aimlessly. Finding your grounding to help you navigate these times is now more critical than ever.

One of the best ways to remain focused and grounded is to review the values that propel you to do what you do. Your values remind you that you can embrace whatever change is to come.

If you are reading this, chances are pretty good that you are mission-driven, a changemaker, a person who has made a commitment to a cause or a belief, because you believe in better. That deserves to be celebrated. But, while we may assume we know what we are about, it is a good practice to occasionally check in with that little voice inside you.

The values that ground us are not meant to be expressed in one single way. Spend some time letting yourself brainstorm all the different ways you do or could manifest these all-important values.

Ask yourself what one small action is that you can take that reaffirms what is important to you. Change can be a powerful catalyst for growth. It's all about what we choose to do with it.

How do you navigate change to nurture your growth? Connect and help us build a community to support you as you evolve along your leadership journey. Sign up for regular updates. Check out our Facebook page for live sessions, training opportunities, and discussions. #Change #Resilience #Values #Elections #Growth