Adapting to Change: Change: Reacting, Then Responding

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Adapting to Change -
Change: Reacting, Then Respon… Back to Tutorial

Change: Reacting, then

responding
Change is always happening, whether we realize it or not. Our bodies are
constantly generating new cells to replace old ones. Stock prices are rising
and falling. It's just a guaranteed thing.

And throughout our lives, we go through a lot of personal changes.

Sometimes we choose for them to happen, while other times they're
beyond our control. With both of these types of changes, we, as humans,
have instinctive reactions to them. But it's how we respond to these
changes after our initial reaction that determines how they affect our lives.

Watch the video below to learn the difference between reacting

and responding to change.

https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/adapting-to-change/change-reacting-then-responding/1/[12/08/2020 3:10:41 pm]

Adapting to Change: Change: Reacting, Then Responding

Let's talk a bit about the difference between reacting to change and
responding to it. A reaction is how you feel at the moment of the change.
It's immediate, it's instinctive, and it happens before you're able to process
things. Responding, on the other hand, is a conscious choice you make. It's
the path you choose to take when moving forward.

Let's look at an example of change: losing your job. Your initial reaction to
this might be one of anger or sadness. That's not something you get to
decide; it's just how you feel. But after some time, you can re-examine the
situation to try and find out how you'd like to respond.

Some possibilities might include looking at why you reacted the way you
did or identifying the pros and cons of your situation. By losing your job,
you don't have a source of income. But perhaps you recognize that there
were some aspects of your job that you didn't like, or maybe it didn't
provide you with a healthy work-life balance. Based on this, your response
might be to dive right in to looking for a new job that makes you happier
and allows for more time outside of work.

https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/adapting-to-change/change-reacting-then-responding/1/[12/08/2020 3:10:41 pm]

Adapting to Change: Change: Reacting, Then Responding

Obviously, there are a lot of different types of changes, and they're not all
equal. Some changes are much heavier, like losing a loved one, while
others are positive, like starting a new relationship. But when it comes
down to it, every change evokes some kind of reaction in you. Whether it's
good or bad, it's OK to feel these feelings internally. But know that you
have control over your response. How you allow the change to change you
is ultimately in your hands.

Back to
Tutorial

https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/adapting-to-change/change-reacting-then-responding/1/[12/08/2020 3:10:41 pm]

Adapting to Change: Change: Reacting, Then Responding

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https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/adapting-to-change/change-reacting-then-responding/1/[12/08/2020 3:10:41 pm]