“Viewpoint” is a new series of opinion posts from WorkSync that spotlight our take on the big ideas affecting today’s workforce and businesses.

Autumn’s finally here, which means transformation is all around us. Leaves changing color and falling from the trees. The air growing crisper. School starting back up.

These are all reminders of an essential principle: Change is inevitable. In our lives. In our work. In our organizations. It’s an exciting idea — that things constantly shift and evolve — but it can also be a scary one.

It’s no surprise that many of us get nervous when we see change on the horizon. Maybe we’re taking on a new role. Maybe our company is adopting a new system. Either way, the unknown may seem daunting. Why can’t we just keep doing what we’ve been doing? There’s comfort and safety in the familiar.

The flip side of change, though, is that it can be exhilarating — bringing fresh perspectives and unexpected solutions. We’re suddenly able to move beyond our old status quo and discover a brave new world of possibilities that weren’t evident before. We emerge stronger and wiser.

So what’s the difference, then, between change that intimidates us and change that inspires us? It’s all a matter of how we think about it and how we prepare for it.

In the business world, there’s the concept of “change management,” which describes a set of tools and practices for successfully implementing organizational change. But the truth is, each of us could benefit from some change management in every facet of our lives and work.

Quite simply, that means being ready for change, thinking positively about it, and finding practical ways to adapt to it. Transformation doesn’t have to catch us off guard. It doesn’t have to be a tidal wave. It can be a flowing, fluid process that we prepare for, participate in, and — yes — even enjoy.

Imagine trying to stop the leaves from turning red and yellow and orange this fall. Sounds silly, right? Well, resisting the inevitability of change is just as futile. But that’s not a bad thing — it’s a benefit. Because it means that our lives and our organizations will always progress and develop in ways we can’t even begin to envision. All we have to do is embrace the new colors.

WorkSync offers leading workforce management solutions for your organization. Learn more and request a demo today at WorkSync.com.