by William Guilmette

Created on: February 02, 2007   Last Updated: May 11, 2007

We will always be surrounded by change, resulting in fear for many of us. Change is inevitable and the best way to deal with it and accept it is to conquer the fear of change. In regard to change, we fear three things: the first thing we fear is failing. No one want to fail. The second fear is that of the unknown. There is no crystal ball telling us what the change is going to bring.

Lastly, and sometimes not recognized, is the fear of succeeding. We all have our comfort zones that we like to work within. Success may mean a new position at work or being placed into a position of higher authority. Our current comfort zone may not include these responsibilities and we soon lose our equilibrium. It is human nature to maintain a homeostatic state and anything that throws off the balance creates conflict.

Dr. Spencer Johnson wrote an outstanding book on change titled: "Who Moved My Cheese". One of the most important and influential lines in the book was "what would you do if you weren't afraid" This is something we have to ask ourselves. First, we have to ask "what are we really afraid of"? Secondly, "if I was not afraid of these things, would I be making a move to better my life"? Don't let the fear hold you back. We miss out on many opportunities because of the fear "factors" mentioned here.

Ask yourself, "where would you be today if you were not afraid to speek in public, be in the position of authority, or do something you did not try, simply because you were afraid. What were you afraid of? Failing? The unknown? Success? Change stimulates growth, both on the personal and professional level. We are creatures of habit and as such grow accustomed to doing things in certain ways. Even the disruption of simple things throws us off balance and creates tension. For example, we usually travel the same roads everyday on our way to work. The slightest disruption, such as road construction or an accident sends us in a state of panic, internally at least, and forces us to do something we are not accustomed to doing. Why do we react like this?

There are three simple things we can do to eliminate fear of change or feel more comfortable with change: 1.) do not worry about the things you can not change; 2.) change the things you can; and 3.) be able to distinguish the difference between the two.

Work Cited

Johnson, S. (1998). Who Moved my Cheese. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons

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