Clyde's Corner

by Clyde Lindley

Quotable Quotes

"It's co-existence on no-existence."
-- Bertrand Russell

"In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence."
-- The Peter Principle. Peter & Hull

"People who think by the inch and talk by the yard deserve to be kicked by the foot."
-- Anonymous

"As long as learning is connected with earning, as long as certain jobs can only be reached through exams, so long must we take this examination system seriously. If another ladder to employment was contrived, much so-called education would disappear, and no one would be a penny the stupider."
-- E.M. Forster, 1879-1970, British novelist, essayist, NY Times, 24 Nov 1963. (Submitted by Paul Kaiser. Note: neither Paul nor I know exactly what the last part of this means. Let's hear from you.)

"To be nobody - but yourself - in a world that is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else - means to fight the hardest battle which any human can fight."
-- E.E. Cummings, Glad to Be Me

"The greatest problem of communication is the illusion that it has been achieved."
--Anonymous

Coping with Change

The ability to cope with change is recognized as a major sign of emotional maturity. In today's world where change seems to be occurring in every facet of life, all of us need to be able to adjust to change.

Technological advances, more powerful computer, the internet and the world-wide web, are some of the prime movers of change, especially in the work place. These changes should help organizations to improve communication and productivity. For the individual worker they will also require more training and learning, and for some person cause increased anxiety. Face to face interaction with other persons may be reduced. At the same time our society (as well as the work place) is becoming more automated. Contacts with people will be more limited since many chores (banking, shopping, etc.) will be done by computers. It is anticipated that this reduction in personal contacts will increase in the future.

Some changes are good and some are bad. Also, non-change can have a down side - such as doing the same thing while under pressure to become more productive. (See "Stress in the Workplace," Clyde's Corner, ACN, April 1996).

Let's focus on change that creates a major crisis, for example, downsizing (or reduction in status or loss of a job), major illness/death of a family member or loved one, financial troubles, etc. Remember that each person is different, and as a consequence, the type of behavior reaction to change will also be different. However, there are some general guidelines that can be offered:

The person needs release of emotional feelings by expressing frustration/anger/hostility/worry/ depression/etc. to some person close to them or to a professional counselor (psychologist). This can be someone in your family or who you live with, or a significant other person. Someone outside your family or someone other than a close friend, may be better to listen, for sometimes it is difficult to tell relatives or close friends one's real feelings.
Learn to accept change as a way of life - changes are going to occur. Remember some changes which at first seem very undesirable turn out to be opportunities.
As soon as possible focus on action(s) to adjust to the change. Taking charge of one's behavior is in itself a positive mental health habit.
Interact with other persons - not always directed toward problems, but sharing in life's experiences, including simple and every day happenings. This offers you the opportunity to give support to others as well as receiving support yourself.
The capacity to relate to other people helps one face reality. Much research shows the importance of interpersonal relationships to well being, happiness, and satisfaction with life.

Clyde is the Director of the Center for Psychological Services, 1608 Sanford Road, Silver Springs, MD 20902. Phone (301) 754-1070. Clyde was employed for 10 years in the central office, Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Veterans Administration and as a professional lecturer teaching psychology, abnormal psychology and a graduate seminar in Mental Hygiene, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.