I've been thinking a lot about change lately. I've made some fairly big changes in my life over the past few months. They are positive and have, in a very short time, had a dramatic positive impact on almost every aspect of my life. The changes have been hard at some times and easy at others. Recently, I have had a number of seemingly conflicting feelings swirling around inside of me. At times I am happy other times sad. There are moments when I feel at complete peace then a short time later feel anxious and afraid.

My education tells me, and I have always understood intellectually, that these emotional swings are normal as part of any change process. I talk to clients about it all the time. I tell them to be prepared to feel really happy and excited as they start to see what they want coming true but at the same time expect to feel some sadness as they let go of aspects of themselves that no longer work for them.

And while I can talk to clients about this, it is different to experience it and to really allow myself to feel it. It is hard sometimes. I try to escape the feelings, distract myself or rush the experience. What I know to be true is that none of these things work. What works for me, and I have seen work for others, is to be gentle with me. Rather than beating up on myself or trying to run away from what I am feeling I allow the feelings to move through me. I talk to people about what is going on for me and I trust that, like everything, this too shall pass.

As leaders, we need to be aware of the impact of change on ourselves and those around us. Whether we are making changes in our organization, family or just ourselves, we need to be connected to what we are feeling so that the feelings don't hijack us and cause us to act out in ways that undermine what we are trying to accomplish.