Navigating changes with your business or creative work in the world with grace and ease
I find myself in the midst of several transitions with my work in the world. Some are smaller, some more significant. It's gotten me thinking of the many ways in which your business or work in the world may change throughout its existence and how, to remain healthy, your relationship with your work also then must shift.
Change in your business, or creative work in the world, can feel scary. After all, you’ve probably already invested time, love, care or resources in it. Maybe all those things. And perhaps that investment has been significant.
SHIFTING FEELS UNCERTAIN.
On the one hand, you might be feeling excited by all the possibilities. There are new directions to head in, new clients to connect with perhaps, and you’re welcoming the transition.
On the other hand, you worry. You might be wondering - what if you can’t make it? What if this new thing doesn’t turn out or if people don’t connect with it? Then what? You might also be feeling some sadness or grief about what you’re leaving behind. What’s up with that? You might think. Especially if it’s a change you sought to make.
All those feelings – excitement, anticipation, worry, sadness – all of them and more are completely normal, and expected, during times of change with your business. Each emotion has something to teach us. And allowing them all – even, and maybe especially, the ones that are unexpected or unanticipated, will keep you open and receptive to what your business wants to teach you during this time.
CHANGES FROM THE OUTSIDE
Change for your business comes from different places. Some might be externally prompted - and not something you were looking for. The global pandemic forced many coaches, healers and creatives to completely transform the way they deliver services – for example, moving from in-person work to online.
Some of those transitions were easier than others.
If you met clients face-to-face, changing to Zoom sessions might have been seamless. Unless you do sound healing. And then, you may have had to make additional adjustments. You might have needed extra equipment or needed to reconfigure how you ran your sessions.
If you taught yoga and moved to Zoom sessions, you had to account for students being able to see and hear you differently and how you would engage with them since you could no longer walk the room.
And so on.
And once things reopened, you may again have faced decisions about changing parts of your business.
AND FROM THE INSIDE
Other transitions your business or creative work may face are more internally driven.
Maybe you've learned a new modality and are figuring out how to bring it to your clients. Maybe you're wrapping your hands around your capacity and know you need to shift how you work so you can care for yourself better. Or perhaps you have a knowing that you need to shift your niche. It’s been calling to you for a while now, and you’re not sure exactly what to do about it.
Because internal shifts often arise out of a sense of knowing or realization, they often, at least initially, feel more manageable. You can set your own timetable; work at a pace that is sustainable while still making shifts. You can often work behind the scenes or in parallel, allowing for less disruption or a more seamless shift.
But that only lasts so long. The nature of change demands attention, and eventually, the thing needs to be implemented. For example, the client tracking system needs to be switched, the new accountant must be brought on while the old is let go, or the marketing announcement must be sent.
AS IN LIFE, BUSINESS
Two years ago we moved 600 miles away from our home for my husband’s work. Moving is a big change, and a lot comes up when making a change this big. I should know – we’ve moved many, many times during my lifetime, and it all happens – grief, anticipation, sadness, disorientation, fear –sometimes during a single day.
The same things that come up when facing changes in your life arise when going through change in your business.
For example, you may experience grief around reductions to your capacity. Or fear in stepping out in your business in a new or bolder way. Or resistance to the need to make changes to the way you work in or on your business. Or joy at new clients coming in, followed by a bit of panic as your systems may need to be updated.
And so on.
HOW TO NAVIGATE TRANSITION WITH GRACE
The good news is that the things that help you navigate transitions in your life can help you deal with changes – both big and small - in your work. The entire change cycle is a bit much to take on in a single article, but here are a few things to keep in mind to help you face those transitions with greater ease.
ACCEPT IT ALL
As I mention above, change invites all our emotions to the table. Be open, expectant and accepting of all that you feel during the process. Some days can be wildly up and down and staying open allows you access to your inner wisdom and intuition during this time.
SHOWER COMPASSION
Have compassion for yourself. All change, even if it seems small, can be hard. Give yourself plenty of grace and compassion and understanding. Remember to tell yourself what you’d tell a good friend if she came to you for support.
GET STILL
Finding quiet time to be alone with nothing planned or any agenda is critical. Time to meditate, pray, find your inner peace is always important, but give yourself increased doses of this during times of change. It’s the gateway to hearing your own inner wisdom.
LISTEN TO YOUR KNOWING
With everything going on, it’s easy to find yourself grasping for any sense of security and stability. But this is also the time to ask yourself more often “What do I need?” Your answers may surprise you – rest, quiet, a walk, a hug –or not. Be sure to listen to them.
GET HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT - EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU DON’T
Much of our culture prizes individualism. This is particularly true of the Midwest in the U.S. but elsewhere as well. And as leaders, we’re taught to “handle things.” However, there aren’t any gold stars being handed out for doing things on your own.
Change in life and in business can be hard, so seek out support from a friend, a colleague, a coach or mentor. And, if you think you don’t need it, that might just be a sign you do.
Whether it’s coming from the outside or in, shifts in your business can feel scary. Yet navigating change successfully is what opens you and your business up to new possibility. To keep your relationship with your work in the world strong during times of transition, you can draw on some of the same things that help you steer through the changes life offers - acceptance, compassion, patience, wisdom, love and support.