Synergy Health are the team behind GoodForYou - your personalised wellbeing program that provides the tools and support you need to improve your health and mental wellbeing. They have a wide, varied and constantly growing range of wellness resources for you to access from their group of experts. Whether it's fitness, diet, sleep, social connection or competition, they take a holistic approach to getting the most out of life.
We will regularly feature articles from The Synergy Health team and in this article they delve into how you can navigate change by using your values as the compass
Change is a constant in our lives these days – big or small, most of us are experiencing some form of change. Change affects all of us and we each deal with it differently. Some people thrive in a changing and new environment, while others don’t. Why is that?
There are a plethora of reasons why we respond to change differently. Regardless of the reason, the first step in dealing with any sort of change is acceptance.
There are a plethora of reasons why we respond to change differently. Regardless of the reason, the first step in dealing with any sort of change is acceptance.
We don't have to like it, agree with it or want it, but we can accept that it is our current reality.
Instead of expending precious time and energy resisting the reality of change, we can more effectively channel those resources into an empowering and helpful response. If you can learn to more effectively cope with change, you’ll lower your risk for anxiety and depression.
OUR VALUES INFLUENCE HOW WE HANDLE CHANGE
It's easy to fixate on things over which we have no control. Rather than focusing on what you can't control or blaming others, set your sights on what you can control. To evaluate your level of control in a situation, ask yourself, “What can I take responsibility for in this situation"?
When you look for opportunities to empower yourself and work toward change that is possible, you’re less likely to feel stuck in difficult situations.
A key reason we respond the way we do to any change comes from our own unique set of personal values - those things in life that are most important to us.
Our values differ from person to person based on our unique upbringing, beliefs and experiences in life. When we experience value fulfilment in what we do, we are more likely to feel happy and maintain a sense of enjoyment, engagement and overall wellbeing.
When our values are not being fulfilled or are actively being compromised by what is going on, our ability to maintain this sense of wellbeing is more challenging. Any change has the potential to either help fulfil or compromise some of our values.
Imagine the following scenario:
Someone who has the value of ‘belonging,’ looks to get that sense of belonging in the workplace, by being part of a close-knit team who get on and support each other. Now that person finds themselves working remotely. They are likely to find this change significantly stressful – at least in the initial time period.
Compare that same change experienced by someone who has an ‘independence’ value and finds value fulfilment by being able to work on their own. Their response to working remotely will be different from someone who values 'belonging'.
Neither is better or worse than the other, they are just different.
The opposite also applies. Imagine our ‘independence’ person being required now to work in a busy and dynamic open plan work environment, surrounded by a team of colleagues.
Possible Solutions:
A person who values belonging could set up a daily zoom morning tea with colleagues and seek opportunities to work more collaboratively on projects.
For a person who values independence, they may need to set clear boundaries around being interrupted. This could be part of a team-wide headphone code, when headphones are on, don't interrupt, use Slack or email if you need to communicate so the person can respond when available. If you value independence or know you need a quiet space to be productive, scout out a few breakout rooms and spaces where you can work from when needed.
KNOW YOUR VALUES
Transitions in life allow you to consider where your priorities and values lie. How do you really want to spend your time on earth? What’s really important to you? Where do you see yourself wasting your time and energy?
With a clear sense of your goals and values, you will find your mind and body can be much more resilient when it comes to the stressors of change.
If you are someone who values control, think about times you have successfully navigated change. What helped then? Focus on the things that are within your control and implement strategies to stay present.
It's easy for our minds to get carried away thinking about the future and all the possible scenarios. There is a time and place to mentally run through your options and the possibilities, just be careful it doesn't turn into an endless loop of rumination. Strategic thinking is different from ruminating.
To bring yourself back to the present, get in tune with your body. Pay attention to how it responds to stress, and set aside time every day to relax, take some deep breaths, and bring your focus back to the present. This is a simple practice you have control over.
Take some time to identify how you're feeling and what you need. Once you know what you need, be willing to ask for help. Asking for help is also something you have control over. You don't have control over how someone else responds to your request, but you can initiate and reach out.
With a clear sense of your goals and values, you will find your mind and body can be much more resilient when it comes to the stressors of change.
If you are someone who values control, think about times you have successfully navigated change. What helped then? Focus on the things that are within your control and implement strategies to stay present.
It's easy for our minds to get carried away thinking about the future and all the possible scenarios. There is a time and place to mentally run through your options and the possibilities, just be careful it doesn't turn into an endless loop of rumination. Strategic thinking is different from ruminating.
To bring yourself back to the present, get in tune with your body. Pay attention to how it responds to stress, and set aside time every day to relax, take some deep breaths, and bring your focus back to the present. This is a simple practice you have control over.
Take some time to identify how you're feeling and what you need. Once you know what you need, be willing to ask for help. Asking for help is also something you have control over. You don't have control over how someone else responds to your request, but you can initiate and reach out.
HOW TO IDENTIFY YOUR PERSONAL VALUES
Everything we do meets a need or value of some sort. Once we know why we are responding the way we are, we can start to identify useful strategies to navigate the situation.
If you don't know where to start, we suggest to register for our upcoming webinar to listen to Brad Norris - the Owner and Managing Director of Synergy Health Ltd - as he will talk about the importance of Values and provide tips to help identify your personal values. To register, please click on the image below.
If you don't know where to start, we suggest to register for our upcoming webinar to listen to Brad Norris - the Owner and Managing Director of Synergy Health Ltd - as he will talk about the importance of Values and provide tips to help identify your personal values. To register, please click on the image below.
