Managing Change and Transition in the Midst of the Bakken Boom
Managing Change and Transition with Russ Cherry
We live in a time where there is a lot of change. In fact, there is more change going on right now than there has been in the last several thousand years combined. We also need to recognize the speed of change. Things are moving fast. If your phone is like mine, you can’t go one day without some of your apps updating and let’s not talk about the massive volume of changing information that comes to us in wave after wave after wave – not just in one day but many times throughout the day. We have a lot on our plate.
A Significant Emotional Event (S.E.E.) is a change event that was unplanned or that we didn’t ask for. They come in two categories – personal and professional. They can be positive or negative and they can impact us before we are even aware. Moving offices, changing jobs, promotions, extra duties, and new responsibilities are examples of professional S.E.E.s. The birth of a child, death of a loved one, divorce, marriage, kids leaving home (and coming back) are examples of personal S.E.E.s.
Here is some mixed news for you to consider. It takes at least 18 months to work through a S.E.E. No Exceptions. You might be thinking that you don’t have time for that and you are right. However, if you try to rush through a S.E.E. and finish it off in 3 weeks – don’t worry – it will be waiting for you when you least expect it. Also, you might be thinking that you may have a lot of S.E.E.s going on at this moment. You are correct! Most adults have between 6 and 8 S.E.E.s going on at any one time. When you finish one another will be waiting for your attention. It’s kind of like a broken wrist. Let’s say you break your arm, your good arm, and you have a tennis tournament tomorrow. You tell the doctor to hurry it up – make it better so you can play in the tournament. She will laugh you right out of her office! The doctor will put a cast on your arm and tell you that the purpose is to protect your bones and give them the best chance to heal properly over the next several weeks.
The techniques we discuss in this and following articles are like the doctor and the cast. They are designed to protect you as you work through change and transition and give you the best opportunity to move forward as the S.E.E. ends.
There are five predictable stages that a person will move through when dealing with a major change event.
1. Shock
2. Anger
3. Bargain
4. Depression
5. Acceptance
Psychologists used to think that you would move through the five stages in an orderly and predictable manner over the 18 month timeframe. That is not true today. Just try driving home from work. You can experience all five stages in a few short moments!
I look forward to visiting with you in the coming days, weeks, and months. We have a lot to work through. Check back regularly as we form the “cast” around your Significant Emotional Events. We can help them heal and be as strong as possible to face future challenges and strains.
Be sure to connect with Russ via his Dream Big Consulting Synergy Station Directory listing or his website for other content.
