Top Ten Ways to Cope with Change in the Workplace

In these days of downsizing people are asked to be even more productive and carry a large workload, often causing them to feel overwhelmed and frustrated. As we begin to feel overwhelmed, it becomes even more difficult to deal with the problem and cope with our feelings. Try out one or two of the strategies below to help yourself deal with the changes you are experiencing.

1. Allow yourself to feel empowered. If you feel and act like a victim, you will not be able to help yourself. No one is going to save you from the situation at work and only you have the power and responsibility to change it. So stop complaining and stand up and prepare yourself for change.

2. Be fully present. Focus on each task or each patient you are dealing with rather than where you have to be next or how much paperwork you need to finish. If you put all of your energy into the here and now, you will get more accomplished and feel less frustrated.

3. Examine all your duties and see what is not mandatory. On first glance, you'll probably think they are all mandatory. Look again. Which ones can be simplified or delegated, or done in less time without compromising the outcome. List all of your duties and you will begin to see what is not required.

4. Take some breaks. Stretch or get some water, or take a walk several times a day. During lunch, find a way to rest your mind and allow your mind the time off it needs too. Read or listen to music, or talk to friends to escape work and feel more peaceful.

5. Close the door and go home. At the end of the day, close the door and leave all of your work problems behind the door. You may even visualise a box that you are putting a lid on and it cannot be reopened until the next day.

6. Allow yourself time and space to get your feelings out. Try writing in a journal to say what you are feeling about your job situation. Express all your anger and sadness in your journal.

7 . Maintain open communication with family and friends. Share your feelings out loud and seek the advice and support of your family, close friends, a career counsellor or support group. Listen to what your support systems are saying and be open to new ideas.

8. Stay motivated. Take hot baths, listen to soothing music, exercise, eat healthy and enjoy the company of friends – have some solitude each day. Come up with a list of 20 things that will really bring you joy and pleasure every day. Whenever you really feel stressed, take out the list and make time in the day to do things that will reduce your stress.

9. Remember that things are often cyclical. The fact that you have more to do this week than ever before doesn't mean it will be this way next week. Remember it will change and your workload will shift again.

10 . If you find yourself unable to make the situation any better, focus on the positive. If you choose to stay in your current job, decide why you are staying. There must be some positives: the people you work with, the clients or it's a close drive. Focus on those and refuse to engage in negative chatter with your co-workers. Pull yourself up rather than down. It is a choice you can make.

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