Change

Change is difficult and, regardless of how stoic one might think they are, emotional. So how do you make sure that those emotions are as positive as possible?


I have lived in 10 different places ever since I left my country of birth 26 years ago. Here is what has worked for me so far, on both the professional and personal levels


𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞


Nothing profound here. We all know and, to varying degrees, accept it. Easier to accept on the professional level, less so on the personal one. We like routine and predictability and our tendency is to try and stop or minimize change. In some instances status quo is good but in most cases staying put, especially in our everchanging world, could be detrimental. We often resist change in deference to comfort but if we accept change as normal and accept the periods of challenge that come with it we may become better versions of ourselves.


𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐚 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮


Having said the above, haphazard change or change without a purpose or a plan will result in failure. If you see the need for change then identify a purpose that can be articulated and can get your stakeholders, whoever they may be, behind it. If dynamics change and the environment around you shift, deal with the fires but don't lose focus. Keep asking "𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨?" It helps identify cause but more importantly, it helps identify purpose


𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐭.....𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒔


This one is perhaps that most difficult. I was let go from an institution I helped build and served for 10 years. Then went back to practice which was a difficult adjustment and, although I am a pharmacist through and through and love my profession, was not the ideal setting for my talent set. On top of that, with limited opportunities, I couldn't stay in the state I called home for 10 years and had to relocate.


H̳a̳r̳d̳ ̳t̳o̳ ̳s̳e̳e̳ ̳a̳ ̳p̳u̳r̳p̳o̳s̳e̳ ̳i̳n̳ ̳a̳l̳l̳ ̳o̳f̳ ̳t̳h̳a̳t̳.!


But I kept asking myself this question "why is this happening?" but not in a negative tone. I am a man of faith, a faith that teaches that everything happens for a reason, and so I leaned into that. Spiritual or otherwise, find a way to ask that question positively. Apply a SWOT analysis of sorts to it, identify your role in it and keep trying to figure out the answer. It'll give you an immediate purpose, help you get through it and, eventually, set you on your new course.


The year in between my academic jobs I went back to work for CVS. I understood my purpose in that period to be the calm during the pandemic storm, to be patient and passionate with folks who are confused, frustrated and scared, to be on the frontlines of vaccinating the vulnerable. Each little step was a purpose that kept me going but each one also built towards the bigger purpose, confirming what I identified as my true calling


𝐁𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞


Change is not easy. Don't be hard on yourself
Change is not easy. Don't be hard on those who will get you through it
Change is not easy


𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮?