TheUPside Podcast — Ep. “5 Proven Strategies to Navigate Change”
Host: Theresa Flood
Date: January 27, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode of TheUPside Podcast, Theresa Flood explores the essential role of change in personal and professional growth. Aimed at helping listeners get “unstuck” in life and business, she demystifies why change feels uncomfortable, debunks common resistance tactics, and provides five actionable strategies to navigate change more effectively in 2026. With a blend of personal anecdotes, mindset reframes, and practical steps, Theresa empowers listeners to embrace change as a catalyst for achieving their goals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Necessity and Uncomfortableness of Change

• Main idea: Growth is inherently tied to change; you can't become who you want to be by staying the same.
• Resistance to change is normal—it's uncomfortable because it involves letting go of something, even when the change is positive.
  • Real-life examples:
    • Marriage: “You have to let go of your independence. You have to let go of making decisions on your own....” (02:12)
    • Parenthood: “When you have a baby ... it's the most wonderful gift in the world. And yet everything changes. You have to let go of sleep.” (03:21)
    • Learning a new skill or changing your mindset requires letting go of ego and comfort.
• Quote:
  • “The very essence of growth is change. You cannot grow without changing.”
    — Theresa Flood (01:03)

2. The “Learner's Trap” — Action vs. Knowledge

• Definition: The pitfall of consuming knowledge (books, podcasts, seminars) without implementing it.
• Key Point: Real inside-to-outside change is active, not passive—growth comes from doing, not just knowing.
• Quote:
  • “Learning for knowing sake [versus] learning for doing sake. ... How many books are we going to read ... before we get into action?”
    — Theresa Flood (05:36)

3. Speed of Implementation

• Successful leaders adapt to change quickly and don’t wait for perfection before acting.
• Efficiency is important, but speed in business also means quickly implementing and adjusting based on new information.
• Letting go of perfectionism is essential for fast adaptation.
• Quote:
  • “How willing are we to change our mind and to change it quickly? ... Quit being people that have to be perfect.”
    — Theresa Flood (08:17)
• Resisting necessary change is a major drain on energy.
  • “We waste a lot of time and energy by resisting change we need instead of embracing it.” (09:36)

The 5 Proven Strategies to Navigate Change

[Starts 12:07]

1. Change Before You Have To

• Don’t wait for external forces to force you into change (e.g., health scares, competitors).
• Taking control of change makes it less daunting and more empowering.
• Quote:
  • “When you start viewing change as a factor that you control … it’s going to help you embrace that and move forward.”
    (13:46)

2. Hold on to the Things That Are Unchanging

• Ground yourself by remembering your unwavering values and foundational beliefs during times of change.
• Personal anecdote: Theresa references a church message about “the things that will never change.”
• Quote:
  • “When everything feels like it’s moving and changing around us, there are things that are unchanging and immovable.”
    (15:04)

3. Mentally Connect Change with Growth

• Shift your mindset: start associating change with growth, not loss or uncertainty.
• Not all change is growth, but all growth requires change.
• “Every time you think of change, think of it as growth.” (16:01)

4. Remember Change Is Uncomfortable Because It’s New

• Discomfort is a sign of unfamiliarity, not a sign of failure or negativity.
• Normalize the awkwardness and initial clumsiness that comes with change.
• “Change is uncomfortable because it’s new, not because it’s bad or you’re not good at it.” (17:05)

5. All Change Eventually Settles into a New Normal

• Even unwanted or forced change will become routine over time.
• Reassure yourself that the discomfort is temporary, and soon you’ll find stability in the “new normal.”
• “All change eventually becomes a new normal ... Take a deep breath. It will be okay.” (18:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the inevitability of change:
  “You cannot become who you need to become next year by remaining the same.” (00:45)

• On learning and doing:
  “Inside-to-outside change doesn’t mean that we’re not taking action.” (06:54)

• On resisting change:
  “We waste a lot of time and energy by resisting change we need.” (09:36)

• On finding stability:
  “There are things that are unchanging and immovable.” (15:04)

• On the new normal:
  “You will fall into a new normal. Take a deep breath. It will be okay. I promise you.” (18:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00-02:30: The necessity of change for growth; preview of episode one’s identity work
• 02:30-05:00: Personal examples: marriage, parenthood, learning
• 05:00-07:30: The learner’s trap: knowing vs. doing
• 07:30-10:30: Fast adaptation; perfectionism and change
• 10:30-12:07: Energy wasted by resisting change
• 12:07-19:15: Five actionable strategies to navigate change
• 19:15-end: Call to action and free resources for listeners

Takeaways

• Change is the engine of growth—embrace it actively and early.
• Don’t just learn; implement quickly and let go of perfectionism.
• Root yourself in unchanging values to find stability amid change.
• Change always feels awkward at first, but every change finds its rhythm.
• Use the five strategies as a practical toolkit for navigating both expected and unexpected changes in 2026.

For more resources and downloadable guides, visit TheresaFlood.com and subscribe to stay supported on your journey of growth and change.