Let’s face it, change is uncomfortable.
This is true for all of us, whether you’re just starting your career or you’re already a senior-level executive.
Yet life means having to constantly adapt to change—and there’s no better example than the last six months. Look at how dramatically and unexpectedly the world has changed since the start of the year. Everyone has been impacted in some way. All those great plans we made in January got upended in a matter of weeks. And most likely at least some of these changes we’ve made to our habits or routines will be permanent, even post-pandemic.
The thing is, there’s nothing new about change. Change is a constant in our lives. Think of all the big transitions in your life. The time you got accepted to college and moved away from home. The day you started your first salaried job. When your first child was born, or the day he or she first went to nursery school. When a friend or family member died.
Changes like these can come with some warning, or none at all. And if we’re not prepared to handle change with a disciplined mind, they can easily knock us off our feet.
If nothing else, this year has been a stark reminder that stepping out of our familiar routines and habits can be frightening. And fear can trigger old, negative thought patterns.
Become a Master of Self-Activation and Self-Regulation
If you want to create and keep a positive mindset and ride out these times to better days, you need to master two key things: self-regulation, and self-activation.
What is Self-Regulation?
Self-regulation is the process by which you set yourself up for success through actions that reflect positive self-talk.
For example, let’s say you’ve worked hard to be the ideal sales candidate and you landed a new job. Good for you! Of course, you might be nervous stepping into your new role. The first step is to keep your negative thoughts at bay. Instead, think in positive ways (“I’m curious to find new ways to succeed in this role.”)
To act on your positivity and practice self-regulation, you might choose to take some extra time to research the colleagues you’ll meet with on your first day so you know something about them and can build good relationships from the start. In this way, self-regulation will help set you up for success.
What is Self-Activation?
The process of self-activation is creating a personal space full of affirmative ideas. (Again, you must first remove your own negative thoughts before you can self-activate.) Filling your space with positive affirmations will help you define and inspire imminent success.
What are some examples of self-activating habits?
- Say positive affirmations out loud: “Today is going to be a great day!”
- Play music that sparks joy or motivates you.
- Get plenty of rest to rejuvenate the mind and body.
- Eat well and adopt a fitness routine.
- Smile the moment you wake.
- Visualize your success.
- Share your optimism with others.
- Celebrate success.
- Practice gratitude.
Actively Lean on Your Faith to Handle Big Change
In my own life, I like to manage emotions that spring from change by leaning on my faith. I recite scriptures every day to keep my mindset tuned to a positive channel and focus on a higher meaning. These recitations help me navigate all kinds of change—the good and the bad. One of my favorites is: “I am transformed by the renewing of my mind.”
No matter what your affiliation, our religious and spiritual teachings can be a great source of power and support. Whenever you speak positivity into your mind and spirit, you show yourself and the world grace. It’s a great practice that sets you up to be your own biggest fan at all times.
Remember, in the face of big change, all it takes is the acceptance of one moment of self-doubt and we can go spiraling down a path that threatens to destroy everything we’ve accomplished so far. Don’t let negativity hold you back from adapting to change and becoming the person you’re meant to be.
Want to learn more about improving your mindset for greater sales success? Get your copy of my book, Journey to the Top: How to Reach Your Peak Performance Life.