Introduce minor adjustments that involve minimal risk or commitment as starting points. For example, trying a slightly different route to a familiar destination, ordering a new dish at a favorite restaurant, or using a familiar product in a new way. These small changes create positive experiences without triggering significant anxiety.
Explicitly acknowledge successful adaptations, no matter how minor they might seem. Comments like “You handled that menu change really smoothly” or “Trying that new approach worked out well” reinforce the positive experience and build confidence for future changes. Focus on the process of adaptation rather than just the outcome.
Avoid introducing multiple changes simultaneously, even if each seems minor individually. Staging changes sequentially allows for complete adjustment to one modification before encountering another. This prevents the overwhelming sensation that “everything is changing at once,” which often triggers resistance even to beneficial changes.
These techniques work because they address the psychological mechanisms underlying Fear of Change. Many change-resistant behaviors stem from anticipatory anxiety (fear of what might happen) rather than actual negative experiences with change. By creating a series of successful small adaptations, you help build evidence that challenges the assumption that change leads to negative outcomes.
Remember Boundaries
While encouraging adaptability is often beneficial, respect that individuals have different comfort levels with change. The goal is expanding capacity for beneficial changes, not pushing someone beyond their fundamental needs for stability.
See also: Understanding the Drive For: Fear of Change and Tip: Validating Concerns While Encouraging Adaptation
