I have been thinking about resistance and acceptance. I recall taking a trip with my new daughter-in-law several years ago. On the return journey home, our flight was cancelled and rescheduled twice. It was frustrating to say the least. My daughter-in-law responded calmly to each set back. While she would have preferred to get home on the original flight, she calmly looked at our revised circumstances and responded positively. As a result, we made lemonade out of our lemons. We enjoyed two more days of sightseeing and eventually arrived home safely.
The truth is that creative solutions often emerge from adversity. Developing the habit of looking for opportunities during changing conditions allows us to pivot to the future. I have noticed that when I resist change, I attempt to hang on to the way things used to be, even though returning to “normal” may never be possible. When I embrace the changing circumstances, I look at the new conditions and ask, “What can I create or build now?”
Here are some powerful questions I have been asking myself these days:
- What changes am I resisting?
- How is my resistance preventing me from moving forward?
- How is my resistance creating anger or dissatisfaction in my life?
- What if the changes happening right now are exactly the right changes needed for my continued growth and development?
- If I let go of my resistance, what possibilities or opportunities do I see? How can I capitalize on those opportunities?
This might be the right time to embrace the development of new skills in areas that might enhance your future career. Perhaps your organization has adopted a new software platform or made a rapid shift to virtual learning. If you are an effective, experienced classroom trainer or facilitator, the challenge of bringing your talents online may feel daunting. There are a variety of resources out there that can help you make this transition successfully. My friend and colleague, John Chen, has started a Facebook group called Engaging Virtual Meetings. Join this group for helpful peer-to-peer ideas about virtual events and meetings.
Organizations and individuals that are embracing the shift to virtual learning and the virtual workplace are creating a new “normal” together. As we collaborate to build connection and engagement, we may discover that the future is brighter than we expected.
An invitation: Our next Virtual Facilitator Trainer Certification course is coming up in September and there’s still time to register. If you would like to polish your virtual facilitation skills with collaboration and feedback from experienced colleagues, please register now. Use the promotional code “September” to receive a $350 discount. A skilled team from NetSpeed Learning Solutions is eager to support you.
