4 Neat Tactics to Tackle Change

​by Elizabeth McCormick

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Winston Churchill once said, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” Although while in the pursuit of perfection, change is required, the fact is with today’s fast pace of technology, innovation, and business, change is our constant companion.  When I was flying Black Hawk helicopters for the US Army, the missions would change on a daily basis: Air Assault, Command and Control, flying generals and VIPs, and even top secret military intelligence missions (SHHHHHH!).  Then I had a new mission, as a disabled veteran who lost her flight career and had to find a new way; 8 years in Corporate America later, a layoff forced new changes and a new business: motivational speaking.  I’m not a stranger to change, and even today, the audiences, locations and venues change.  Change is the constant.  And in the presence of change, you have a choice to resist or persist!
Here are four NEAT strategic ways to be more resilience: 
Navigate (Set Your Flight Plan) Do you ever go to bed at night wishing you had more day left?
The first thing that you can do each morning, (starting now) is to take a few minutes of each day and contemplate what you need to accomplish for that particular day and how you can achieve them in a positive manner.  We all have some things that get in the way of us achieving what we want to each day, the best thing that we can do is to recognize those behaviors and focus on changing them.  By making this small adjustment in your routine, you will likely be able to accomplish your daily goals and not wishing you had more time in the day.
Evaluate (Don’t Get Stuck) If you feel like your life is stuck in a rut, the good news is it is not a permanent condition.  To overcome this obstacle, take a close look at your current life and take note of what may be contributing to this feeling.  Once you have located the source of this feeling, you should then look at how it is affecting your life.  Armed with knowledge, you will then be able to make the necessary changes to help alleviate this stuck feeling. The key is to shift your awareness.  Any effort made is better than being stuck!
Aviate (Take Action) Participating in a regular exercise routine is also a great way to make a positive change in your life.  Don’t start out running a marathon, but simply starting with a walk around your offices or your neighborhood is a great first step.  Becoming physically active will not only help improve your overall level of health, but it can also improve your mental outlook on life as your blood starts moving faster and your brain receives more oxygen. When you are physically strong, it’s easier to be resilient emotionally when the need arises.
Terminate (Limiting Thinking)  If it doesn’t advance you further, or if it’s out of your control set it free.
We may not be able to control the change around us, but we can focus on that which we CAN do.  When stop the thinking of what was and start focusing on the possibilities of what we can do in the opportunities we have, you might just end up as the one who is changed. 
Through the NEAT Tactics- you can increase your self-awareness in the face of change, you can make a positive impact in your life NOW, leading to a happier and more fulfilling (and NEAT) life later.

A decorated US Army Black Hawk pilot, Elizabeth flew command and control, air assault, top-secret intelligence missions and also transported high-level government VIPs. Now, Elizabeth keeps attendees on the edges of their seats, turning her experiences into lessons that any audience can implement into immediate action. Elizabeth speaks at 100+ engagements per year and is an in-demand Leadership and Sales Motivational Business Success Speaker, bringing a celebrity experience to events. You'd never guess Elizabeth grew up so shy she wouldn't call her own hairdresser for an appointment! Find out more at: www.YourInspirationalSpeaker.com. Elizabeth is the Opening Keynote Speaker at SPINCon 2016

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