The most unproductive responses to change are anger, fear, and
overwhelm because they turn ones attention away from all the possible
responses that would be constructive and beneficial.

The solution to surviving and thriving amid change is to instill an
active sense of creativity, adaptability and flexibility. Just as a
species must adapt to a changing environment to survive so must
individuals.

The difference between surviving and thriving is the difference between
"just getting by" and "finding (or making) the best of any situation".

This is not just pie in the sky positive thinking but creative thinking
that challenges some of our most natural responses to surrender to
depression and despair. What follows are some key factors that can help
anyone become more adaptable and give them the quantum leap for
surviving to thriving in change.

Create a personal
philosophy that incorporates change.

Don't deny it, life is going to throw you a few curves every once in a
while. Step back and look at your life in the "big picture" and include
in it the unpredictable.  When you can look at your life
knowing that "stuff happens" and maintain a calm and detached awareness
then you're on your way to developing healthy attitude toward change.

Examine those possibilities that may seem the very worst things that
could happen; The death of a loved one, A devastating illness or the
unforeseen end of a relationship. What skills would you need to turn
those things into positive and life transforming experiences?

Remember to words of Socrates “The unexamined life is not
worth living.”

Develop a practiced response toward change.

This may go counter to many peoples personal experience and training
but it's vital when learning to thrive amid change.

Know ahead of time the
positive responses you are going implement when unforeseen change
occurs.

Practice asking yourself (and answering) these questions "What is
positive about this event?" "How can I turn this into an opportunity?",
"What can I learn from this situation?"

Compare those questions to the question less successful people ask "Why
does this always happen to me?" You'll notice that you get a
qualitatively difference set of answers based on the questions you ask.

Forge a willingness to
jump into chaos to test your ability to adapt to change.

Leonardo De Vinci referred to this at Sfumato which literally means "up
in smoke" and is defined as a willingness to embrace ambiguity,
paradox, and uncertainty. He found his greatest inspirations in those
things which confounded him or he didn't understand.

Likewise, you can develop this principle of Sfumato by putting yourself
in new situations and creating new challenges for yourself.

Find a task, or goal that is just slightly beyond your current
capability that will challenge you in some way. Athletes do this
regularly and so do star students and business leaders. Set out to
learn a new skill and learn to work through the initial frustration of
learning until you have it.

Change is inevitable and as human being we have a huge amount of
choices for every situation. To thrive amid change you must embrace and
strengthen the quality of flexibility and remember the person with the
most options always wins.