The Flying Trapeze Change Model

As we begin to reopen the country from the COVID-19 pandemic many hope that life will begin to return to normal.  I am convinced that we will need to redefine what normal means and looks like.  I keep hearing people talk about having things go back to the way they were.  I am quick to correct them, with my belief that there is no going back, only the option to go forward.  Forward will be different and we must all embrace the new version of normal.

Humans are one of the most resilient species because we can adapt to change.  The toughest changes to adapt to are those imposed upon us rather than the changes we make by choice.  COVID-19 is definitely imposing changes that none of us asked for.  Our first reaction to negative change is typically resistance.  We try to deny the need to change, we push back against it and try to dismiss it as unnecessary. 

I conduct workshops on the topic of resilience and change. During the workshop I ask participants the following question:

What is the largest obstacle that you have had to overcome in your life?

Most people answer things like loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, overcoming a health issue, a family crisis or other major challenges. I then ask a more important follow up question:

Was the largest obstacle that you overcame self imposed or externally imposed?

In almost every case the biggest challenges that people faced were externally imposed. We don’t purposely impose adversity in our lives, yet we learn and grow tremendously from having to deal with adversity. I believe that resilience is like a muscle, it gets strengthened through adversity and we create muscle memory. That muscle memory enables us to deal more effectively with future adversity.

Once we come to terms with the changes required, we begin to adapt.  We change our behaviors and begin to accept the new ways of being and doing things.  In this case, that means better hygiene, social distancing and wearing masks in public.  Our success in making the transition build resilience.  Resilience is the ability to adapt as quickly as possible from negative change.

There is an image and metaphor that I found extremely powerful when helping individuals and organizations to navigate change.  The image below shows a flying trapeze.  In this case it is a contestant on American Ninja Warrior, but it could be a business executive, a mother, a school teacher, a nurse, a clergyman, a software developer or anyone else.  In order to make a successful transition from one trapeze to the other, the person must do two things at once.

Embrace the new and release the old. 

This is the ultimate acceptance of change.  If the trapeze artist fails to release the old while embracing the new they get pulled in two opposing directions and are sure to fall. Call it a leap of faith, but our current situation requires all of us to conduct a flying trapeze maneuver by releasing our old ways of being and to embrace the new normal that we will all figure out together.

Embrace the new and release the old

Visualization is an important tool for helping people to achieving great things.  It is a powerful tool for seeing the path forward and then helping driven people to achieving their goals.  If you can visualize yourself making the transition on the trapeze, you are more likely to let go of the old and embrace the new normal that we will have to be accustomed to.  This includes becoming comfortable wearing a mask in public.

For those who are motivated by music rather than visuals, there is a song that I use when conducting change management work.  The song is “Closing Time” by Semisonic.  The refrain in the chorus states “Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end”.  I love that line and I find that it can be super helpful when in transition.  If you are one of the 22 million plus people who have lost a job due to COVID-19, play the song and recognize that there will be a new beginning and that new opportunities lie ahead.

As we move forward into the new normal it is important that we exercise patience with ourselves and with others. People adapt to change at varying rates. We need each other for support and guidance as we adjust to returning to work and opening our new society. We can and will adapt and we will build new resilience as a result of what we have been through. As I reflect on the impact of COVID-19 there are some bright spots that I will miss such as a star filled night sky with low polution and no airplanes, a home cooked meal and the tranquility created by having to slow everything down for the past six plus weeks.

Be Well, Be Safe and Be Resilient!