Most folks do not like to change things. They get things in their life just the way they want them and then hope that…… well…. things can just stay the way they are. Or can they? Dealing with changes in your life and how you handle those changes is what makes you…You!
What changes are we talking about? Well, what was the last big change in your life? New job? New house or apartment? Maybe you have a new addition to your family? Child, grandchild, or maybe just a new furry four-legged addition? When’s the last time you had to move? Major changes with your current job or working conditions? Or, maybe you retired and now can sit back and relax, sleep in, and do whatever you want? Yeah, right!
These events in your life caused you to be uncomfortable and how you dealt with that un-comfortability tells you something about yourself. Who was with you when it happened? Was the change planned or was it a total surprise? Did it affect just you or a group of folks or family? Did you react with excitement? Was the change something that made you happy? Sad, confused? Take a moment and fill in some blanks about your last big change and perform some self-analysis on exactly how you felt and reacted.
Was there a group hug or did you lash out in anger? How long did it take to get used to the thing that changed?
I know recently while on vacation my management decided that I needed a new office remodel, so upon returning to my office, boy was I surprised! New furniture, new computer, and monitors, plants, shelves, even my old favorite office chair was gone! After feeling excited about all the new goodies, there was a small panic attack in that I didn’t even know how to turn on my new computer and monitor and had to call the IT staff! It took me about a week to get used to all the new ways of doing stuff and it took me out of my comfort zone. But after a week with all the new toys, I could not remember how much harder it was to do my job with my old equipment. The new stuff worked so much faster and better! So, while it made me uncomfortable at first, it was, in the end, a good change!!
We deal with many clients each year during the open enrollment period, where we need to perform drug plan and medical plan searches in order to ascertain if the client is still on the most appropriate health plan for the coming new year. We assist thousands of folks just to make sure their doctor they want to keep is still in their network next year. Or maybe their drug plan had major changes to their co-pays and deductibles as well as the monthly premiums. Change, change, and more changes. The thing is to just be prepared and roll with the variations. More to the point, shop until you find the most appropriate solution and make the best use of the change. Research and education on your choices is key. And just sometimes what you have right this minute is the correct choice and you don’t have to change! Yea!