The way we deal with change determines the trajectory of and outcomes in our lives.

Change is a certainty and constant.

Many of us truly embrace today’s changes and thrive as willing adopters or natural technologists. But technology is not all that changes and, not all change is good, necessary and desirable.

There are many types of change: fast, slow, incremental, personal, indirect for better and worse. And, everything changes.

Most change we can safely embrace with little thought. Perhaps it relates simply to convenient new technology or even our personal circumstance?

But what happens when change is less sudden, not obvious and perhaps unwanted or of great impact?

Most Sociologists and Psychologists hold that around 70% of people suffer from Normalcy Bias. This condition leaves us paralyzed and unable to react proactively and appropriately to (specifically) TRAUMATIC events that creep up on us.

In this case we don’t heed the obvious warning signs; not wanting to deal with a frightening outcome, we ignore signals and believe the pending event is unlikely as it hasn’t happened (to us) before.

The remaining 30% of the population either panic when the trauma hits or DO embrace the likelihood and actually prepare in some way.

Our Acceptance of a possible bad outcome progresses us through classic stages of:

Denial

Anger

Bargaining

Depression

Then finally, the Acceptance

Some stages progress more quickly than others and then, we prepare.

Normalcy Bias has been used to explain disastrous inaction in events such as:

People not fleeing Pompeii in the hours preceding the Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD

Jews remaining in Germany before WWII despite obvious and numerous social persecutions

Frogs remaining in slowly warming water and eventually being boiled to death

There are many diverse and tragic examples with traumatic outcomes.

Similarly troubling is the ill-advised inaction we often display in our routine lives. Results might not be as traumatic as exampled for Normalcy Bias, but they can certainly seriously affect the quality and direction of our lives.

Our personal circumstances constantly change. Issues close in on us. And again, we often ignore the progressive creep of reality and wander thoughtlessly into undesirable outcomes.

This is the nature of Normalcy Bias. Personally unfortunate end results may not be deemed globally traumatic, but we’d certainly be well-advised to avoid them. After all, trauma is ultimately in the eye of the beholder.

And again, a large portion of the population is certainly prone to such inadequately responsive behavior.

As a consequence, our personal lives may be affected in any number of ways:

Business Dealings

Relationships

Financial Circumstances

Political Repercussions

Health Matters

Safety

Etc.

At the same time we shouldn’t be foolishly paranoid, worry about each small event that occurs and search for every potentially troubling outcome that might result.

Most of use grew up surrounded, even inundated by anecdotes and catch-phrases to guard us from common potential problems. Some examples might be:

“Untrustworthy people generally repeat wrongs”

Sailors watch for signs of impending foul weather (“red sky in the morning…”)

Abusive people normally continue their ways

Management changes eventually have effects that “roll downhill”

And, so on

Such guidance can be a useful and sound substitute for direct experience. We have all witnessed actual events directly related to such sayings. But how should we more generally manage, control and protect our lives?

Now, let’s consider this…

Innumerable signs and symptoms constantly surround us which illuminate all our dealings and relationships. Many of these may prove innocuous or just confirmatory. Some are more ominous and useful.

If you’re not someone who does so naturally, it’s generally wise to carefully set aside time, sit back, identify those issues important to you and check for troubling trends and adverse events that might relate to these matters.

What do these relevant signals mean? Are you witnessing themes and warnings in a progression? Where are things headed?

We cannot be paranoid about every detail of our lives. But, neither should we imprudently ignore signals that are clearly visible and applicable.

If you do not review, think, recognize and react appropriately to these signs you’re lining up to be a victim.

Signals, confirmations and warnings can be found in both the smallest and largest aspects of our worlds.

Have you really taken a good look at your total situation, recently? Is everything just fine in business, at work and home?

And remember, the busier your lifestyle the more insensitive you might have become to events.

So, take that look around. Seize proactive control of your life. It’s often surprising what is more clearly visible upon closer inspection.

Ian R. Mackintosh is the author of Empower Your Inner Manager Twitter @ianrmackintosh