Have global markets’ wild swings left you dizzy this week? Or perhaps relentless waves of change, crashing faster and larger than ever, have unsettled you for weeks or months. You’re not just disoriented; you’re grappling with change sickness, a unique kind of motion sickness.
Change sickness strikes when your expectations of stability clash with the turbulence of shifting markets, people, and the world around you. This conflict throws your personal and organizational balance into chaos.
Most people with change sickness complain but assume it’s untreatable, so they cope instead. Some ignore it; others vent online. These efforts might ease the discomfort briefly, but they offer no lasting relief.
Some try to cure change sickness by doomscrolling for a quick fix. Save yourself the trouble: no magic pill exists.
The most effective way to tackle change sickness is to build immunity to it. This process not only prevents future discomfort but also eases existing symptoms. You can strengthen immunity personally and organizationally, starting with yourself.
How to Build Your Immunity to Change Sickness
Before diving into building immunity, a warning: many resist the process, cycling through denial (“It can’t be that simple”), anger (“How did I miss this?”), bargaining, despair, and finally acceptance (“Now I know what to do”).
The key to thriving amid disruptions and conquering change sickness? Become a stronger change agent. When you believe you can shape change and have the skills to do so, you ride its waves instead of being swept under.
Change sickness will persist until you commit to becoming a stronger change agent. Your organization won’t thrive until you and your colleagues deliberately build resilience in yourselves and your systems.
Top performers and organizations don’t falter when change surges—they’ve built immunity. Admiral Rickover designed the U.S. Nuclear Navy to adapt relentlessly from its inception. Under Andy Grove, Intel thrived on transformation. Their approach is within your reach.
Ready to conquer change sickness? Meet the next wave head-on with the Change Agent’s Motto: I will do what I can, with what I have, where I am.
Catching your first wave is straightforward. You won’t surf flawlessly at first, but you’ll stay steady. Start small and persist. Spend a few hours boosting your immunity with resources like Everyone Is a Change Agent or Change Tactics. Apply a tactic to your toughest challenge, and relief will come faster than you expect.
Struggling with persistent change sickness? I’ve guided countless individuals through it, helping them find relief and resilience. Let’s start your journey to results and immunity today.
