Embrace Transformation: How To Prepare for Change – Empower Your Journey

This empowering guide on preparing for change reveals the keys to successfully navigating life’s transitions. Learn practical strategies and gain the confidence to embrace your growth journey.

Greetings, welcome to the “I Empower You to Empower You” Blog, where we journey together through the transformative paths of whole-person development. Change is the only constant in life, and preparing for it is not just necessary; it’s empowering.

Studies show that individuals who actively prepare for change are 30% more likely to find success in their personal and professional lives (Change Management Institute, 2021). Moreover, 78% of people who embrace change report higher levels of personal satisfaction (Journal of Happiness Studies, 2020). With this knowledge, let’s delve into the art of readiness for change, ensuring you’re equipped to turn every challenge into a steppingstone toward the complete you.

“It’s not that some people have willpower, and some don’t. Some people are ready to change, and others are not.” -James Gordon.

Have the Wisdom to Prepare for Change

In this life, there’s one thing we all have in common. Change.

No matter who we are, where we come from, or how much we run from it, change is bound to happen in all our lives.

Because of this certainty, acquiring the knowledge to prepare for change will give you the strength to endure many changes and facets.

Mastering the art of change will get you through the seasons of life efficiently…

Change is an equalizer. Because it is every human’s experience.

Whenever you are going through changes. It is becoming to think that you are the only one experiencing them.

However, that is not true; change makes every human equal because we are all survivors of change.

Some change is welcome, but not every day, week, month, or year or two.

Life has a habit of throwing something at us that we didn’t expect.

It could be a job promotion, loss, separation, graduation, losing a loved one, or welcoming a new one.

Change comes instantly in many ways, dictating our future step by step.

Change is sometimes uncomfortable, whether starting a new business or moving to a new city.

There’s always an adjustment period for any new habits, despite our reluctant fear of change.

We spend our whole lives overcoming it and finding new ways to adapt and deal with change.

Everyone faces challenges in life. But some can take some work to handle.

For example, the news of a lengthy course of medical treatment. Or a transition to a demanding work situation.

The good news is you don’t have to face an upcoming challenge with fear by preparing yourself.

You can reduce the worry associated with an impending difficulty. And be better equipped to manage it.

Sometimes, the fear is still there, but you will have the courage and strength to carry on. Scared and all!

While most of us would like to think of ourselves as flexibly adaptable beings.

The mere thought of even a necessary change makes the best of us want to run and hide.

Most people are creatures of habit. Slight changes to our regular routines can turn us into stressed-out, crabby people.

But “The key to change…is to let go of fear.”

Facing a life challenge can be scary, but being prepared for the difficulty will make it much easier to handle.

Preparing For Change

You must prepare for change, but lots of things in life are difficult to prepare for.

For example, right now my spouse of 15 years is currently battling for his right to live. Without cancer robbing him of his time. (Update: since the writing of this post my spouse has transitioned)

Change is a funny thing. Sometimes we want it so badly and we’d do anything for it. Sometimes we’re so scared of it that we’d give anything to stop it from happening.

Change has played a big part in my life over this past year.

I’m going to be transparent with you here. And tell you that I am overwhelmingly concerned. About this tremendous change that’s happening in my family’s life.

We can barely handle the financial difficulties we’ve had to endure. And now there is cancer coming to threaten the future of my marriage and family life.

But it’s one of those life changes that you can’t prepare for. You can do a few things to help you manage and get through it. Aside from that, you just must sit back and let things unfold.

Other big life changes are also difficult to prepare for.

Such as an impending marriage, divorce, or major lifestyle change.

I mean, there is so much information on the best ways to prepare for change.

Although many skeptics deny the legitimacy of the Bible. One cannot deny the timeless wisdom bestowed within its pages.

Understanding the principal truths about change. Will help you to embrace it and its uncertainty.

So, the best way to get ready for change is to prepare spiritually. Mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Here are 16 tips to help you get ready for a tough time ahead so you can manage it with strength and tenacity.

16 Suggestions to Prepare for Change

1. Remember The Two Things That Never Change.

Two things never change: God and His promises.

Everything else changes.

Thus, nothing is permanent except God and His promises. The key to note is that God also promises that nothing is permanent and that there will be seasons (Gen. 8:22 MSG).

We must plan and order our lives according to the spirit of God within us. We must prepare with God for whatever seasons may bring into our lives.

2. Get Your Mind Right

Making the decision to change how you view what you are going through. This is the first requirement for getting your mind right.

Now, I will reference insights from the Bible. Because the teachings, wisdom, character, and insights are still relevant to the present day.

It is a timeless book about A King & His Kingdom.

I understand that many choose not to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as their personal savior. And that is your right as an individual human being.

However, even if you don’t believe in Jesus, you can learn much about His time here on Earth.

When Jesus came on the scene. He began his ministry by declaring, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 3:2 MSG).

Repentance (metanoia) is called for throughout the Bible. It is a summons to a personal, absolute, and ultimate unconditional surrender to God as Sovereign.

To repent is to change the way you think. You can still live life with joy and optimism regardless of the change you experience.

Change your thoughts and attitudes. So that you can get rid of the life stinks mentality.

The mindset that will lead you into a rut of negative thoughts and emotions. And replace it with a new perspective.

It’s a positive, thought-provoking, good vibes Hallelujah anyhow attitude. Yet, I will trust him, pushing on.

The aphorism is that a man thinketh in his heart, and so is he. It not only embraces the whole of a human being,

But it is comprehensive about reaching out to every condition and circumstance of that person’s life.

A person is literally what they think about themselves. Being the complete sum of all their thoughts.

We are made in the image of God, the Creator of all living things. And given dominion on Earth by the Supreme Ruler of the Universe.

As a being of power, intelligence, and love. And the architect of our thoughts.

We hold the key within us to every situation. And contain within us. That transforming and regenerative agency.

Empowered with resilience. By this, we may make ourselves what we will be. We are always the master, even at our weakest. And most abandoned state.

When we begin to reflect upon our condition. And to search for the law upon which our being is established.

Then, we can become wise masters, directing our energy, fashioning our thoughts, and addressing fruitful issues.

Discovering within the laws of thought is a matter of application, self-analysis, and experience.

So, decide to change the way you think! You can do it.

3. Understand the Effect of Thought on Circumstances

A person’s mind likes a garden that may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild.

Whether cultivated or neglected, it must and will be brought forth.

If no beneficial seeds are put into it, an abundance of useless weed seeds will fall into it and continue to produce their kind.

A gardener cultivates his plot, keeping it from weeds and growing the required flowers and fruits. So, it is in the garden of our minds.

Weed out all the wrong, useless, and impure thoughts and cultivate toward perfection—the flowers and fruits of right, valuable, and pure thoughts.

By pursuing this process, we will discover that we are master gardeners of our souls. The director of our lives. Increasing accuracy of thought. It is the elements shaping our character, circumstances, and destiny.

Read my post How To Change Your Thoughts to Change Your Life for more inspiration!

4. Pray About Everything

You can pray about everything and worry about nothing!

When you worry, it says you think you can solve your problems better than God can.

But you are not built to handle problems in your strength.

Don’t get it twisted. We are given only so much dominion as human beings.

We were created to depend on God. Not just each other and our abilities.

Although you have been given liberty and the ability to have authority over yourself and the way you think.

You are fundamentally created by God to be dependent upon His guidance.

So, bring your challenges in life to God.

The All-Knowing El Shaddai and ask the Holy Spirit to help you with them all.

All relationships thrive off communication.

The same is true of God, the Creator of you and me. Ask, and you shall receive.

5. Embrace Change

Instead of facing change with fear and dread, remind yourself that a stagnant life is boring.

Resisting and working against any impending change is as tiring as swimming against the tide.

Allow yourself to ‘go with the flow’ and view change positively.

It’s logical that the more change and transition you go through.

The more opportunity you must perceive the patterns of your life.

How you handle change. Whether you can negotiate and navigate the necessary transitions.

Your focus should reside on those you start and those that come about independently.

Embrace it! Open to it! Your life is changing anyway, so you could change with it.

6. Take the Time to Understand The Truth About Change

God brings in seasons and takes them out. A wise ruler in ancient Babylon who was skilled at interpreting seasons wrote.

“Praise is to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons.” (Daniel 2:20-21).

According to scripture, God is responsible for changing seasons.

Unfortunately, when looking at events from a human perspective, we love to blame people for our problems, even in an economic crisis.

We cannot only blame Wall Street for the economic problems. Many things may have happened that were beyond anyone’s control.

When implemented, the system was rigged and flawed, and financial and political leaders are still determining what happened.

Everything just went out of order. But they are also very aware of how some things ended like they did.

History shows that every institution that we depend on can be shaken. The only thing that is not shaking is the kingdom of God.

This may be the purpose of the shaking in our lives. We depend on the government, economic systems, and even our abilities.

God may have allowed (like He did Job) the economic turmoil. So that we can stop looking at each other and start looking up to Him.

Regardless of why change happens. The most significant protection against change is to expect it.

Is this scriptural? Yes, it is. Jesus told his disciples he would be killed and buried (Matt. 16:21).

He told them these things so that when it happened, they would not be offended. He was preparing them for change.

7. Take Advantage of the Time to Get Prepared

In this season of economic turmoil, we are depressed because we never expected economic change in the capacity it is today.

The lack of preparation is why so many people are and stay depressed.

If you’ve failed in the past, it is easy to lose confidence. Yet people who succeed in making changes have often tried many times before.

If you can’t see a way forward, give yourself a preparation stage to cultivate your skills, strengths, and abilities that might help you make progress.

Like an athlete in training, you can improve yourself or your situation by identifying where you’ve gone wrong or what you have done wrong in the past.

Improving your technique and finding out about new approaches.

Get started on prioritizing your tasks. Daily duties can fall by the wayside when stressed, but they still need your attention.

Some things can be done in advance. Use the time before the difficulty kicks in.

The Positive Psychology columnist Chris Johnstone. Explains, “The key to successfully dealing with change is preparation.”

8. Understand the Logical Levels of Change

According to Lifehack, it’s essential to understand how change works so you know what to expect during the process.

In Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). These five logical levels are used to understand what’s involved in making a personal change.

This is a simple model that gives five valuable windows through which to view any issue.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the five Logical Levels:

• Identity – Who are you? What roles do you play in your life?
• Beliefs – Why do you do what you do? What are your values and beliefs?
• Capabilities – How do you do things? What are your skills and strategies?
• Behaviors – What are you doing? What are your current behaviors?
• Environment – Where, when, and with whom are you displaying your behaviors?

Assessing, understanding, and knowing where you are at any given point is a precious tool.

9. Keep Calm and Keep the Faith

Think about what you would do if God did not deliver you from the fire of difficulty.

Some of the faith messages that have been preached to us have been the source of some of our depression.

The type of faith that we should have is the faith of the three Hebrew Boys in scripture. When they addressed King Nebuchadnezzar.

The king threatened to throw them in the fiery furnace. They stated, “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire.

The God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king.

But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18 MSG)

That is the kind of faith that we need. Most preachers have yet to teach us this principle.

What if you do not keep your perfect health? Will you still trust God?

10. A Change Is a Crisis.

All change is a crisis, even a good change, like getting married.

You may wake up the morning after the ceremony and wonder what I did.

The marriage seemed like a beautiful experience on the wedding day.

It is now a crisis because, for the first time, you are sleeping with someone. You committed to staying with me for the rest of your life.

Standing on a scale frightens some people.

Go from weighing less than 200 lb to weight well over that mark. Is it the kind of change that can impose a crisis?

The crisis is a result of the change.

They are interrelated. Whenever there is a crisis. Something changed.

Whenever something changes, there is a crisis.

Some crises are self-imposed. If you eat and eat and then wonder why your clothes do not fit, that is a self-imposed crisis.

If you sleep with someone that you are not married to and create a baby or contract a disease. That is a crisis, but it is self-imposed.

All external crises result from change over which you have no control.

Mastering the change of crisis is determined by your ability to manage. As well as benefit from the change. That is the key.

If you can master change or use it for your benefit, you will survive.

During an economic crisis, some of the world’s most potent billionaires and millionaires will be created.

Unfortunately, this crisis. It may also produce some of the poorest people you have ever seen.

You can decide which one you will be by your capacity to manage the changes in your environment. We all should take a reality check.

11. Accept the Reality That Change is Permanent.

There’s nothing as permanent as change. In essence, change is constant.

It does not start, and it never stops. It just keeps moving. Everything changes.

Understanding this has been one of the most encouraging things in my life.

Change is inevitable. I am learning to settle this, and it seems more straightforward now.

Change is a principle of life. If something is alive, it will experience change.

Everything you go through manifests some change, which is part of life.

A wise King said, “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecc 3:1 MSG)

This should relieve some of your pressure.

Remember, there’s nothing that will come your way. You cannot handle that because seasons are temporary.

Whatever you are going through will change.

So, you can face the future with confidence and a smile because God guarantees changes.

12. Let Your Loved Ones Know How the Change Might Affect You and Them.

We often forget changes affect not only us but also those around us.

Give your loved ones a heads-up on how the change might affect you and your relationship with them.

Some changes need more of your time. Meaning you have less time for socialization and unnecessary drama.

Giving them a heads-up helps them to understand why you might be more stressed during the change period.

Your loved ones may surprise you by helping you through the transition.

Becoming personally accountable for yourself. And your actions.

Frees you from outside influences. Boosts confidence in your ability to make healthy choices and decisions. And nurtures trust in your process.

This is also essential to express individuality and give a unique and fresh perspective.

13. Prepare Your Finances.

Nothing can make a difficult situation more complex than money problems.

If your finances need to improve, make a point to get them in order as soon as possible.

Prepare a budget if you don’t already have one, and clear up all unpaid bills. 

You may even want to pay bills in advance to handle them and avoid forgetting to pay.

And set your life up to accommodate any changes that may occur along the way. Your family’s future depends on what you do today.

If anything happens to you, be prepared by preparing your finances.

14. Have In Place a Go-to Person.

Address and acknowledge your feelings. Don’t try to push aside or ignore your feelings.

If you feel scared, ask yourself what is frightening about the change.

Are you afraid of being overwhelmed? Being alone?

Not having enough personal freedom or failing?

Is there someone–or several people–you trust to be your confidant and support base?

Ask them to be “on-call” should you need a shoulder to lean on or general help.

Family members, friends, coworkers, or even spiritual counsel or coach. Can fill the role.

Ensure the person is available and willing to help you when needed.

Learn as much as possible about the situation before immersing yourself in it. This will help you avoid complications.

Read, write in a journal, or talk to others who have been through a similar ordeal.

Seek counseling or other professional guidance to manage your mental health.

While going through the change, a little foreknowledge will give you essential tips and coping skills to better handle your challenge.

15. Practice Self-Care.

Get in the habit of taking care of yourself now so you won’t risk unexpected health problems in the weeks ahead.

Get rest, exercise, and eat right. You may even want to learn meditation to help reduce stress.

Staying well and practicing good health habits now. It will help you carry through tough times.

Make Sure to Take Time for Yourself.

The realization that things aren’t what you want them to be.

It may be accompanied by any number of emotions. And their degree of severity.

Fear, frustration, resentment, guilt, anxiety and/or depression, and even panic.

The realization, or insight, may reveal that your choices or decisions aren’t working—maybe they never did or will.

Perhaps the direction your life has taken. Had more to do with the influential people around you.

You may want and intend to do something different for yourself now.

16. Set Realistic Expectations for Yourself and Others.

People are often too hard on themselves. And impose unspoken expectations on others. You expect that things can continue—business as usual.

Regardless of the significant change that happened. Allow yourself some breathing room and keep your schedule flexible.

Understand if you have yet to speak directly to someone about what you expect from them.

Don’t expect them to just know. If it is unspoken. It is unknown.

It is wrong to have unspoken expectations and then be angry or hurt by someone’s actions.

When that other person had no idea, you were expecting whatever “it” was from them in the first place.

Speak your expectations to others out loud so they will know. Then, you will see if they can meet your expectations or not.

Set realistic expectations for yourself. And don’t be too hard on yourself, either.

In Conclusion…

Choose to do what you feel is best for you. Choose what interests you most or something you feel passionate about.

Focus on what you believe will be the most fulfilling and satisfying. Start a journal to keep track of your emotions and thoughts along the journey.

Be prepared for input from others, whether you want it or not, but stick to your guns once you begin.

Decide to take ownership and responsibility for your life’s choices and consequences.

Trust that there is a force greater than us all. Who is looking out for our best interests despite the changes?

If you follow the 16 tips above. You will amaze yourself with your strength and capability when times get tough. Focus on the light.

The best way to handle difficulty is prayer, trust, optimism, communication, and focus.

And the knowledge that although change is permanent, the seasons of change are temporary.

Remember, there is light at the end of every tunnel. Keep that thought in mind as you prepare to continue your journey.

Let the light of infinite wisdom guide you and lift your spirits. Before long, you’ll overcome the obstacles of life.

As we conclude this exploration of change, remember that preparation is your most potent ally. Embrace the lessons and strategies discussed, and take the first step towards a more fulfilled you. For those seeking a companion on this transformative journey, “The Complete You: A Guide on How to Be Made Whole” is your inspirational guide. Embark on your journey with this ebook and empower yourself to navigate life’s changes with grace and resilience.

Don’t let this be the end. Subscribe to my blog for more insights, follow me on social media for daily inspiration, and share this article to spread empowerment. Your thoughts are valuable to us, so leave a comment below and join the conversation. Together, let’s transform and thrive. 🌟