The change in the seasons brings a wide mix of emotions.  On one hand, I love fall.  I love the bright colors of the leaves.  I love the crisp air.  I love being outside by a fire and being cozy in a warm hoodie.  On the other hand, fall bums me out a bit too.  Fall represents the beginning of the end for the year.  Fall is a signal that the days are getting shorter.  It’s a signal that things are going to get darker and colder.  It’s a sign that winter and harsh weather is just around the corner.  I have had 36 years of fall, and every single time I find myself with mixed emotions about the season.

What does this have to do with anything?  It’s not just that I have mixed emotions about fall.  It’s that I have mixed emotions about change.  Some individuals embrace change more easily.  Some individuals are more hesitant to accept change.  No matter which camp you fall into, I’d imagine that if we were being honest with ourselves most of us would admit that we have some level of conflicting emotions when it comes to change.

In the world of business we often say that the only thing that is constant is change, and then under our breath we kind of mutter, “so you better just suck it up and get used to it.”  I’m not sure this is the healthiest attitude to have.  Too often I think we are expected to plow forward in the midst of change without being given the opportunity and/or sometimes the permission to feel those conflicting feelings.  Like I said, I’ve had 36 years of fall and I have conflicting feelings every time.  The change we face in business and in life are usually much larger than the change of the seasons, so it’s okay if you feel and sit with some of those conflicting feelings whenever you’re going through some kind of change.

The challenge: How do you respond to change?  Do you allow yourselves and others to feel their feelings?

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry