Navigating Change with Curiosity, Not Fear
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude”
~Maya Angelou
Have you ever sensed that change was on the horizon–but you weren’t quite sure what it would look like, or even how to feel about it?
In my professional life, I walk world-class organizations through major transformations. And while I know the phases of the “change curve” by heart, it doesn’t make adapting to change in my own life any easier.
But knowing that change is inevitable, I’ve made a conscious decision to adjust my attitude about it.
Instead of resisting change through anger, frustration, and fear (a normal response), I’ve decided to embrace the future unknown with openness, curiosity, and even gratitude. It’s a daily process—one I need to hit the “refresh” button on each morning. But when I do, something amazing happens. I’ve learned:
The world opens up when you open your heart and mind to new possibilities.
And guess what? I’m not the only person sensing that massive change is on the horizon. If you’re thinking about it too, here’s what I’m doing to prepare for the future.
For me, preparing for change is threefold.
First, I do my best to say “yes” to everything I possibly can and to be open to new people, places, and things.
I learned this life lesson from the founder and former CEO of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), Tonian (Toni) Hohberg. As a student and later an adjunct faculty member at FIDM, I admired the creative energy Toni inspired by, in her words, “saying yes to everything I can.” What that meant for our FIDM community was that we had no less than eight reality shows shooting on campus at any given time. But it also meant a constant influx of fresh ideas, creative collaborators, and new opportunities to fuel our artistic endeavors.
Second, I’m developing hobbies and nurturing my natural talents to cultivate a stronger sense of self—something I think everyone should be doing right now.
Here’s why. I strongly believe that in the very near future, our jobs will drastically change (to say the least). If you are like most of us and define yourself by what you do, it’s wise to think twice. Who are you outside of your employment? Why are you here? Finding our identity outside our work will, I believe, determine how well we navigate what’s next.
Asking those bigger questions naturally leads to the final step: knowing your purpose.
What are you made for? What’s your “why”? In periods of transition, I find myself going back again and again to books that have helped me understand myself. (Links below.) I read and reread about my personal strengths and innate proclivities because it brings me back to my purpose.
Purpose is a game-changer. It makes the impossible possible. It offers hope. It gives life meaning. It provides direction.
I think my purpose is, and always will be, to learn and teach what I know. While my modality may change, my objective will not.
When we know who we are on the inside, a shifting outside world matters less. We never really know what the future holds, but we can prepare for it by cultivating an attitude of openness, curiosity, and gratitude.
Recommended Reading
Below are books I recommend to help you think about the future, understand your strengths, and continuously learn, grow, and design your life.
Scary Smart by Mo Gawdat
Gawdat (former engineer and Chief Business Officer at Google X) makes the complex world of artificial intelligence understandable and, moreover, meaningful. While “scary,” I appreciate his POV on how each of us can impact the future of AI and humanity. (A serious topic but also a super fun read!)
Discover Your Strengths
Without fail, I go to the StrengthsFinder assessment in times of transition. It brings me back to my essence and helps me answer those bigger life questions.
Get the Degree Without Losing Your Mind by Christina Carmelle Lopez
I compiled four decades of wisdom into Get the Degree, so of course it’s only natural that in seasons of change I refer back to its pages—especially the last two chapters on career development and life lessons. And I believe anyone, no matter their age or stage of life, can benefit from these insights as well.
