I used to not like change. But then a new boss came to town and shared his philosophy: “If you aren’t changing, you’re standing still.”

The philosophy was not unique to him, but when he said it, it finally resonated with me and now I fully embrace change.

The problem with change, isn’t the change. It’s making sure that it can happen, and in a way that is beneficial. My company has undergone significant change in the short time I’ve been with it – from a name change to a new website to a new brand. As president of the National Federation of Press Women, I’ve seen change. In fact, my presidency was a change – I didn’t go through the ranks to become president. I ran on a platform of change.

If you aren’t comfortable with change, what do you do?

I’m the type that has to read a book. I just finished Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. In the book, they share how our minds are ruled by two different systems – the rational mind and the emotional mind – that compete for control.

The book works on many levels. I found insights to help me professionally but while reading it I also set behavioral goals to help me with my fitness efforts. As the authors noted, “If you are leading a change effort, you need to remove the ambiguity from your vision of change.”

In the end, change works when people have clear direction, ample motivation and a supportive environment.

Are you ready to make a change?