When we are faced with change there are several tacks we can take. We can deny it, we can fight it, we can accept it, or we can embrace it. If the change is unexpected and unwanted, we may progress through all of these stages—from denial to embracing—with difficulty. Our actions will parallel Dr Kubler-Ross’s stages of grief. Her description (as it relates to change) can be paraphrased as follows: denial of the impending event, bargaining with God or whoever is responsible for the event, becoming angry over the event, becoming depressed, and finally, arriving at resolution and acceptance.
To facilitate change in our lifestyle, it helps to focus first on the good things that may come with change, and try to keep our minds off the negatives. Then by visualizing our new life as better, we will have the energy needed to overcome the anger resulting from a change in our status quo. Most changes in our life turn out to be improvements if we look at them objectively. As we change, we discover that adjusting can be fun. Ben Hogan said, “One of the reasons golf is so fascinating is that the adjustments are endless.” So it is with life.