How to Adapt to Excessive Change

The experts have a lot of advice for employees in the midst of change. They say individual reactions depend on many things such as the actual degree of change experienced and the attitude of the individual experiencing it. Following is a distillation of some the recommendations by Warner B. Wims, president of WBW & Associates.

TAKE A WHOLE-LIFE PERSPECTIVE. Recognize that work is a subset of life, not vise versa, and act accordingly. Understand that work is a means to an end, and the end is happiness.

TAKE ACTION. Don't become idle, even if some projects are on hold. Ask to be included in a project that is moving forward. You can acquire new experience, skills and contacts and reduce stress.

VISUALIZE SUCCESS. Dream the biggest dreams possible for yourself. Visualizing a positive future is the beginning of actualizing that future.

ACT FOR SUCCESS. If you can't see the positives yet or don't believe you have a great opportunity in sight, talk and act like it anyway. Without being insincere, externalize what you want through your behavior. Even if it's awkward at first, it will eventually internalize and you'll have a better chance of success.

BE AN IRREPRESSIBLE OPTIMIST. Every day we make a choice to be optimistic or pessimistic. Choose the former.

RANK YOUR STRENGTHS. Write down your skills and personal strengths a way to stay positive. Forget your weaknesses. Think of ways you can capitalize on your strengths.

THINK OF OTHERS. Your family and colleagues, anyone who depends on you either emotionally, financially or otherwise. Lead them by example.