Why Change Is So Scary, and How to Unlock Its Potential

Location: We will meet at True Food Kitchen (Bethesda) (7100 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD 20815)

Unexpected change like an accident, an illness or a relationship that suddenly ends is inevitable -- and disorienting. With a heartfelt and optimistic take on life's curveballs, cognitive scientist Maya Shankar shares how these challenging moments can inspire transformation, offering three questions to ask when facing uncertainty, so you can let go of rigidity and embrace change.

Please watch this 14-min video before joining the discussion:
https://youtu.be/Tt0arZN6EBM?si=fkZY3sYpaHIjlp00

If more than 10 people join the discussion, we will break out into separate groups.
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1. Change often arrives without warning, disrupting not only our plans but our sense of self.
What habits or practices can we adopt to stay grounded when sudden changes upend our expectations?
2. Research shows we find uncertainty more stressful than guaranteed bad outcomes.
How might we train ourselves to tolerate uncertainty better, so that it doesn’t paralyze our decision-making during times of change?
3. We consistently underestimate how much we’ll grow after major life shifts.
What mindset shift can help us trust more in our future adaptability and capacity to evolve?
4. Christine Ha’s story shows that new capabilities often emerge only when we're forced to operate under new constraints.
How can we create a challenge or constraint in our lives or work that might reveal untapped potential?
5. Major life changes can reorder our priorities in surprising ways.
What regular check-in or reflection method could help us stay aligned with our evolving values?
6. Identity paralysis happens when we cling too tightly to a single role or pursuit.
What language can we use to define ourselves that reflects deeper motivations rather than fixed titles or achievements?
7. Reframing identity around purpose rather than position offers more flexibility in the face of disruption.
How might we anchor our sense of identity to a “why” that holds up across different roles and seasons of life?

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To provide an enjoyable experience for fellow participants, here are three ground rules during discussion events:

1. Step up and step back. (If you feel that you’ve been talking too much, step back to listen more. If you feel that you’ve been relatively quiet, step up to share your perspective or ask a question)
2. Listen to understand, not to respond.
3. Be open-minded and value differences.