If there’s anything a worldwide crisis has shown us already, it’s that the past is gone and the future’s not fully here yet.

So what can we do to navigate through our work and lives right NOW? How can we make the most of change that’s happening around us?

Binging on an endless diet of homemade bread & Netflix isn’t the answer .  . as delicious as that sounds.

 

As I mentioned in an article I wrote on LinkedIn, “Instead of Chaos, Choose Creativity,” it’s easy to slip into a confused, wandering state of mind during any kind of change:

• Worldwide,
• Company-wide,
• In your own life,
• Or all of the above.

But you can resist that temptation to curl into a ball and hide.

You don’t have to wait for everyone else to figure their stuff out to make the most of change. 

Here are three powerful–and most importantly, meaningful— actions you can take right now.

Action 1: Toss What’s Not Working

If you’re someone who’s had to stay at home more than usual, you’ve probably tossed some of your physical goods in a cleaning spurt: books, papers, and clothes.

 

Why not apply the same energy to tossing out habits, processes or procedures that are no longer working?

Here’s a list to consider:

• Meetings that are no longer making a difference and/or are wasting time
  • (One way to check: how often do people arrive late, cancel or opt not to attend? And does their absence matter? )
  • Or, toss out old facilitation habits (please, don’t “go around the room”) and try these strategies instead.
• Reports or presentations created because “we should” or “we’ve always done”
  • As an alternative, if you’re the person with the info to distribute, could you record a short video or voice memo with your summary of what matters most, rather than spending hours formatting data or presentations that no one’s reading?
• Processes that your team keeps stumbling through or that are just plain broken. (Not sure? Try asking for specific feedback with the tools here.)
• Relationships that aren’t working as well as they could. (Here’s how to create a relationship reset here.)
• External commitments, such as professional or community involvement. Being involved is great, but if it wasn’t working for you before, it’s a good time to toss them now and replace them with ones that matter more to you.

What can you toss right now? Clean out the clutter of your life at work to make room for whatever may be ahead.

Action 2: Start an Experiment

What’s the thing you’ve been wanting to try? What’s the new tool you’ve been thinking about using, or new process or habit that you’d like to apply to your life at work?

It’s a perfect time to start an experiment.

Experiments are ways you make new discoveries as to what will—or won’t—work to solve a problem or create a better result than you’re getting now.

They begin with a hypothesis, or more simply, a question:

• Is there a faster tool to organize this data?
• If we cancelled this meeting, would anybody miss it?
• What would happen if I only answered email twice a day?

Then, you come up with a test. You’ll also make that test time-bound–meaning after the time’s done, you’ll examine the results and see where you want to go from there.

For example:

• For the next 30 days, I’ll experiment with using Google Drive to organize the data instead of our in-house tool.
• I’ll cancel the meeting for the next two weeks and see if anyone says anything or if problems emerge.
• Just this week, I’ll only answer emails at noon and five and see what happens.

You can tell people what you’re experimenting with–or keep it to yourself. It’s up to you. Sometimes it’s good to bring others in so that they realize this new behavior is just a test–that they don’t have to panic if it doesn’t work for them.

If, at the end of the time frame, the experiment gave you good results, you can decide to keep it–or not.

It’s your experiment. It’s your way to make the most of change that’s happening around you.

There’s no right or wrong–except not trying something new at all.

Action 3: Invest in Yourself

No matter what’s happening in the economy, your company, or your community, there’s one thing no one can EVER take away from you.

That’s the investments you make in YOU: your knowledge, confidence, and ability to manage your mindset and stay resilient.

Those investments will always pay off, no matter what the future holds.

For many of us, we haven’t invested in our own growth and development since college. And since then, the opportunities to invest in ourselves have magnified, including simple things like:

• Reading books instead of watching TV or surfing social media;
• Listening to podcasts on topics where you want to go deeper;
• Taking a online course from a trusted source.

There’s no longer a good excuse not to do something to help yourself grow.

(And of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind you that working with a professionally trained coach can help you grow faster, farther, sorting through the noise in your head and making a plan that works for you.  If that sounds good, just schedule a free initial chat with me at AskDarcy.com & we’ll talk further).

Right now, you have a unique opportunity to invest in yourself so you can make the most of change and be more prepared for whatever’s ahead.

Will you make the most of change? Or will you look back and wish you had.

Take one of these actions today–they’ll mean more than you know for you tomorrow.

Need more help?

No matter where you’re stuck, I’d like to help. Schedule your initial 30-minute coaching chat with me today–it’s fast, fun and free.

Just hit the button below, and pick a date and time that’s available. Answer a few short questions, and then I’ll call you at the time you picked. There’s nothing to prepare–just show up right where you are. If, after we talk, it sounds like one of my coaching programs or courses will help you going forward, I’ll share details after our call. There’s no pressure –my goal is to be helpful immediately.

Spots for my consultations fill up fast, so schedule yours now, and start getting the support you deserve.