EMBRACE Change - Step 1

The E4 Method for mastering change: EMBRACE, EXPLORE, ENGAGE, EXAMINE

When I think of the meaning of “embrace”, at it’s best it’s acceptance, openness, genuine, reciprocated and relational - given and received.

Whatever came to mind for you, I want to challenge you to see EMBRACE as the first step for change. Interestingly, in the context of change, we may experience change at it’s best, and at it’s worst, having many of the same thoughts you had about EMBRACE.

Crocus flowers represent change, blooming in early spring after winter. Their growth through snow shows strength and new beginnings. The crocus lifecycle highlights themes of growth and renewal.

To engage in meaningful change, we need to embrace, at it’s best, our current place. We’re embracing our life circumstance or situation, where we are now. It can be simple, “I accept where I am”, it can be courageous, defiant, “I’m here but I’m going to get there”, maybe you feel resigned and you’ve come to a place where you can say, “I don’t like it, but I’m here.” Whatever your type of EMBRACE you have identified a place -”here”. Embrace in this context is an active identifying of our surroundings, the chair you’re sitting in, what you are physically touching, the lighting, smells, feelings. We’re practicing a technique of grounding and mindfulness, identifying where we are using our senses intentionally to embrace where we are in a moment. I’m here - I feel (touch), I see (visual), I hear (auditory), I smell (olfactory), and may be tasting. This technique can help minimize anxious feelings and thoughts, and a sense of overwhelm.

Once we identify where we are we can then consider what we want to change and begin to EXPLORE - Step 2 of the E4 Method for mastering change. Then ENGAGE - Step 3 - what I’m going to do to get from here to there, and finally EXAMINE - Step 4. Did get there? Is this where I want to be?

We are here and we want something to be different. Let’s zoom out and expand our view . Where, what or how do I want to be – physically, relationally, financially, what do I want to do?

For example, in my life there is something I need to do and want to do. I enjoy doing it once I’m doing it, but I find it difficult to start. I can find so many other things to do! This something is what I want to EMBRACE. I recognize I’m here. I have difficulty doing this something. Part of recognizing where I am is recognizing barriers getting in the way. I’ll spend time identifying the barriers. This is a huge part of EMBRACE. I want to do this something and now I know what makes it difficult. I find the barriers by objective evaluation - give yourself some grace; no judgement, feelings of guilt or disappointment to be included here.

To identify barriers we practice grounding and mindfulness – where I am right now – here. EMBRACE it. What can I physically touch or feel? What do I smell or hear? Use your senses to get your “location”. What do I feel? Anxious, happy, stress, comfortable, distracted…identify it. EMBRACE it.

Considering where we are in a single moment and focusing on that moment/ourselves may lead to feelings of overwhelm. Breathe. EMBRACE. It can also help us shrink our reality and focus to our immediate experience. Breathe. EMBRACE.

What would you like to be different? Identify the change you’d like to make based upon where you are.

It can be anything.

You choose.

You don’t need to make this big – just big enough.

Choose something challenging but not overwhelming. If you begin to feeling anxious or discouraged, embrace these. Look at where you are and what you need - reconsider and modify. Where are you? What change do you want to make.

Can you feel it? Hope?

As soon as you looked to the future there was a spark of hope because you pictured or thought of more. More of what you want/need.

Try not to get stuck on defining wants or needs. You can start with something small to practice. Pick something requiring little risk to test the method. Identifying that one thing to work on created a small idea, a future picture, a hope, of what could/can be. What is one thing you want to change? After I do this work, to complete this step, embracing where I am and the change I choose to make, I’m ready to EXPLORE - Step 2.

If you’re using the guide tell us how it’s working for you by sharing experiences, suggestions, or ask questions. Do you need more information or direction about a step? An example or more examples? Let us know, we’re always open to learning to live life well.

As we’re in this time of seasonal change maybe there’s something you want to change too. Maybe you’ve worked the E4 Method and learned you’d like something different from what you EMBRACED. You can modify your goal or you can abandoned it. Just throw it out or set it aside. I’m hopeful, and will always consider change is possible, even picking up that abandoned goal and starting again - especially starting again :)

To get the guide and more information, and to join us in the LifEdvice E4 Method change journey, sign-up at LifEdvice, Learning to live life well.