Quick….name 5 things you’d like to see changed at your workplace today. I bet you can name at least 3 things without much thought. Many of us desperately crave change at work — yet we are uncomfortable and terrified when it occurs. This happens even it is neutral or good change (think getting Focused Software as an EHR (yeah!), getting a new boss, you’re transferred or promoted etc). But change is inevitable (and necessary for businesses to survive and thrive), so you’ll need to learn to overcome those fears. Follow these tips from the good folks at forbes.com and you too will be able to stop panicking, embrace change and prosper!

• Acknowledge the Change – Recognizing and accepting the change is the first steps towards managing it.
• Acknowledge your Fears that stem from the Change –  When you fear change, write down your fears on paper so you have them in an objective form and can stop dwelling on them. Otherwise your fear remains a nebulous boogieman – hanging around like shifting smoke impeding you ability to fully function. Go through each fear and jot down what you would do in the event that fear same to pass. Defining your fears and knowing you have a backup plan can defuse the emotional angst and dissipate any building feelings of panic.
• Accept Your Feelings and Seek Support –  Reach out to others you trust to share your experiences, reactions and emotions. Talking to your partner, friends and colleagues will remind you that you’re not alone. However the key word here especially if you chose to confide at work is trust. Be aware that some of your co-workers may be uncomfortable having you share confidences with them, others may have trouble keeping your vulnerabilities private (ie they gossip!) and a very small number may seek to use the information to sabotage you.
• Designate Worry Time – Worrying interferes with productivity, mood and morale — so don’t let it spill over into every crevice of your work day. Designate a set time when you’re going to focus on those fears (preferably outside the work day).
• Communicate, Communicate, Communicate – periods of great change require intentional, concerted effort by all leaders (and employees) to focus on great communication. Communication during great change is like nature, abhors a vacuum. Any gaps in communication get filled immediately by rumors. If employees are effectively communicating their fears to co-workers and leaders within the organization, those concerns can be addressed and calmed, through more communication.
• Stay Positive –  Fear can come from from creating negative (or even catastrophic) scenarios in your mind. “What are your negative beliefs about this change and how you handle it?” Ask yourself questions about times that you have successfully navigated change in the past. What was the situation? How did you handle it? What worked for you? Did you get support? Where you persistent? Patient? Insightful?
• Know How Transitions Work and have Realistic Expectations – Everybody has the capacity to adjust to change but it just takes time.  Do not expect everyone to be as on board with the need for change as the person proposing the change. Some people are resistant (usually due to fear) by nature and will need more effort to bring them around than others. 
• Be Flexible – Be flexible and available to take on any new task that might accompany the change. “Keep a positive outlook on the opportunity to take on any new challenges and exceed expectations.” Approach change with an open attitude of learning. Not only will you expand your skillset/resume, the change you’re implementing is more likely to be more successful and your colleagues and/or boss will be more likely to join in.   
• Get Involved in the Change – Help drive the change and then you’ll understand the rationale and there will be nothing to fear.
• Reduce Your Stress – Regular prayer and/or meditation will help you feel more calm, relaxed and peaceful. Practice regularly and whenever anxiety spikes throughout the day. Be kind to yourself. Another way to reduce stress is to do the research on the change – the more knowledgable you become about a subject the less out of control (and therefore worried) you’ll feel.
• Increase Your Value –  Valuable employees typically get through changes unscathed or even better than before. Take the time to know how valuable you are perceived as being within the organization, then make the effort to find ways to become more valuable.
• Keep Working – Sometimes it takes time before the scope or even specifics of a change are clearly delineated. So do whatever you can to help, it will give you a sense of purpose and boost morale.