When Change Isn’t an Option
We’ve all encountered situations at work that feel stuck—difficult dynamics, organizational red tape, or systems that refuse to budge.
Often, our first instinct is to figure out how to fix things: change the people, the processes, or the circumstances. While this can be powerful, sometimes change simply isn’t possible—at least not in the short term.
Recently, I was talking with one of my executive coaching clients and she was describing a work situation. I repeated back to her, “okay, so this is happening, and it will probably be happening for a while given the personalities that are here.” For her that was revolutionary — it was naming a situation without making her responsible to change the situation. I think so often when things are feeling stuck or not really going well at work, we think about it, how can I change the situation?
Yet, instead of exhausting yourself trying to force change, what if you accepted the situation for what it is? Naming it without taking responsibility for changing it can be freeing. Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up—it means acknowledging reality so you can focus on your response.
Once you let go of the struggle to fix what isn’t in your control, new possibilities emerge. How can you adapt your approach? What creative solutions can you explore within these constraints?
When you stop fighting the unchangeable, you gain clarity and the power to choose how you respond.
So, if you’re grappling with an unyielding situation, try shifting your focus. What options open up when you accept “this is just how it is right now”?
Read More: Why is Change So Emotional?
