From Chapter 5
How do you respond to change? Do you avoid it, or do you say “Bring it on!” Do you see change as a continual flow or as episodic and event-driven? When you face change that originates outside your control, are you worried? afraid? excited?
What do you need to know before you can embrace a change? The answers to these questions depend largely on whether you perceive the change as an opportunity or a threat, because your brain reacts differently to each. If your brain sees the change as positive it releases dopamine, causing a feeling of pleasure. But the neural reaction to “danger” triggers panic. You actually think less. Everyone’s threshold and definition of “dangerous” change is different—some people love roller coasters, some hate them. What kinds of change signal “danger” to you?
When you know how you typically relate to change, you can anticipate our reaction and prepare yourself to move forward. Some people respond to change with analysis. They want to understand the details, the rationale, the possible outcomes good and bad; once they get their answers, they can move forward. Others respond more emotionally; new situations temporarily lower their confidence and belief in their abilities, so they need to remind themselves of past successes and consider how they will handle the challenge.
How do you repond?