Russell Bennett, M.A. CPC

Are you going through some sort of change in your life? Is your business experiencing change because of the economic climate? One of the challenging results of organizational change is that it can leave you feeling fatigued. All of your efforts are focused on new tasks, responsibilities and relationships. I believe that it is possible to actually create energy if you implement the correct strategies that will result in maintaining and even increasing your personal energy during times of change.

Create a Vision
Nothing is more personally motivating than creating a compelling vision. Visualize yourself succeeding as a result of the change. Imagine the benefits of growing as a result of the change—creating new opportunities, building a more exciting and dynamic future and opening up new opportunities for success.

List Opportunities
What are the opportunities presented by the change? Make a list of all the ways that you can grow, add new skills, meet influential people and add valuable experience to your resume.

Create Networks
It’s difficult to create energy in a vacuum. Most people need the stimulation of other individuals and their ideas, input, feedback and support. Times of change offer an opportunity to add to the network of people who understand you, believe in you and are willing to help you move forward.

Build Bridges
Organizational change normally involves the establishment of new relationships. Sometimes you resist these new relationships, especially if it involves a new supervisor or a perceived loss of your authority. Instead of retreating from new relationships, draw energy from them by embracing them and building bridges between yourself and the people you encounter. Meeting new people is usually highly energizing because it gives you the opportunity to find commonalities in your values and goals and in the creativity of collaboration.