Gary Bradt - Change: The Tools You Need for the Life You Want at Work and Home

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher and author are not engaged in rendering professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Published by River Grove Books

Austin, TX

www.rivergrovebooks.com

Copyright 2016 Gary Bradt

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the copyright holder.

Distributed by River Grove Books

Design and composition by Greenleaf Book Group and Kim Lance

Cover design by Greenleaf Book Group and Kim Lance

Cover image: 3dfoto/ iStock Collection/Thinkstock

Interior Circular Arrow Graph: Image Copyright corund, 2016.

Interior Sidewalk Flower: Image Copyright Poptika, 2016.

Used under license from Shutterstock.com

Cataloging-in-Publication data is available.

Print ISBN: 978-1-63299-114-0

eBook ISBN: 978-1-63299-115-7

First Edition

To the three professional mentors in my life: Dr. Kenneth Bradt, my father; Dr. Spencer Johnson, author of Who Moved My Cheese?; and Dr. Jim Farr, who hired me out of grad school and whose lessons still ring true today.

You dont have time to read a book.

I didnt have time to write one.

This is a match made in heaven!

Contents

PART 1
Managing Your Relationships Through Change

PART 2
Managing Yourself Through Change

PART 3
Managing Change to Create the Life You Want

Foreword

WE LIVE IN A Twitter world. We want practical content, and we want it fast. I wrote this book about change to acknowledge our busy lives.

This book promises to be a quick read with lasting impact. Inside you will find relatable stories and practical tools to help you adapt to and advance through changes at work and at home.

I hope you will pick it up whenever change hits and turns your world upside down.

Perhaps you will come to discover as I have that its not the change in our lives, but how we choose to adapt to it, that makes all the difference.

Introduction

NOT AGAIN! CHERYL GROANED as she pulled out of the school parking lot. Im gonna be late!

She banged her hand on the wheel as the traffic in front of her stopped for no apparent reason, as it did almost every morning.

Move, people, move! she heard herself groan. Then, she glanced at her gas gauge and noticed she was running low. Just what I need. A perfect start to a perfect day!

Cheryl sighed. Her mind flashed to the chaos of the morning. It had become a stressful routine: waking up early to rouse the kids and then scurrying to help them get dressed. Then, Cheryl had to throw together some semblance of breakfast while hurriedly packing lunches. Her kids scrambled to find shoes, coats, and backpacks while they fussed with each other. Nobody got out the door on time.

Cheryls husband, Edward, would normally help her out, but he was out of town. His travel for work had really picked up the last several months. We hardly see each other anymore, Cheryl thought. Its like we have to schedule time on our calendars just to sit down to have an adult conversation.

Between Edwards schedule and hers, it had gotten difficult. Their time together consisted mostly of late-night calls from Edward on the road, and then weekends packed with too much to do. They spent most of their time running the kids from one event to another and catching up on errands. Then Edward would hop on a plane Sunday evening, and it started all over again.

Cheryl sighed. We dont have any time for ourselves. We cant keep this up. Somethings gotta give.

The traffic today was even slower than usual. Cheryl accepted that there was nothing she could do; she was going to be late to her job at Carson-Co again. As she waited at a red light, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her phone broke her reverie; it sounded the distinctive ring for her parents.

What is it? she thought. They never call this time of day.

Cheryls chest tightened as she picked up the call. Mom?

It wasnt Cheryls mom. It was her dad.

Cheryl, dont worry honey, it looks like everything is going to be okay, but your mother is in the hospital again. She got short of breath during the night and I took her to the ER, he said.

How serious is it, Dad? Do you need me to come out there again? Cheryl asked.

No, no, thats okay, honey, her dad said. No need to come out for now. The doctors think its just a medication issue. They are running some tests and well see. I think shell be okay.

Are you sure? I can come out there if you need me to. I know this has to be getting hard for you, too, Cheryl said.

This was the third time Cheryls father had taken her mom to the ER in the last several months.

Well, thanks, honey, but I think Im doing okay. I know you and Edward are busy with your jobs and the kids and all. We should be all right, her dad said. Ill keep you posted and let you know if anything changes.

Okay, Dad. Love you. Tell Mom I love her too, Cheryl said.

Will do. Love you too, honey. Try not to worry! Well be all right, her dad said as he hung up.

Yeah, sure, Cheryl thought. Try not to worry!

These kinds of calls were becoming more common. And troubling.

Cheryl had flown out twice recently for similar crises. Despite what her dad said, she wondered if she might have to go again soon.

Although she had siblings who said they would help out in times like this, they always seemed to be too busy when the time came. Mom and Dad had learned to call her when something went wrong.

Its really beginning to strain our budget, she thought. If Igo out there again, there goes whatever weve saved up for the family vacation this summer. But what can I do? I love them and they need me.

By now traffic was finally moving again. Cheryl decided not to stop for gas. I think I can make it. Im late enough as it is.

Cheryl pulled into a parking space, scrambled across the parking lot, and rushed upstairs. When she stepped in the office she felt a buzz in the air. Her colleagues were huddled in small groups and talking nervously.

Whats going on? Cheryl asked the receptionist, Sarah. What sort of mischief is corporate up to this time?

Sarah wasnt smiling.

Havent you heard? she asked.

Heard what? Cheryl replied, sensing her concern.

Carson-Co has been sold, Sarah exclaimed. Our biggest competitor bought us out!

The Change Journey

In our fast-moving world, change rarely slows. Sometimes its change at work, and sometimes its change at home. And often, like with Cheryl, it is both.

There are two types of change we will explore in this book: External change includes events that happen outside your control that are perhaps different from what you expected or wanted. Internal change is the process of making change happen by choosing better thoughts and behavior to get the results you want. Both types of change create opportunities. My goal is to give you the tools you need to unearth them.

Sometimes we can see change coming like a train in the distance. Other timeswham! Change is a lightning bolt out of the blue. In either case, change can be stressful and hard.