Tetris Part 2
When we moved to Brazil, I knew that we would be in the middle of a VUCA storm for a while. I always thought I was resilient but had no idea how resilient I was until my husband and I attempted an international move of a four-bedroom house on our own. This is the second part of the “Tetris” blog.
Moving to a new country and a new home creates VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity). In this blog, we will explore why moving evokes VUCA and how to navigate through it. I’ll start by illustrating how a person faces external VUCA (things that are happening in your environment) and internal VUCA (thoughts and feelings) in this situation.
✅ Volatility refers to the unpredictable and rapid changes you can experience, many of which you cannot control. In the context of an international move, volatility manifests in several ways. Currency exchange rates can fluctuate significantly impacting the cost of living, savings, and financial planning. Political situations in the destination country may create changes in policies or even security issues. Moving also involves significant changes and creates disruptions in your life. You are uprooting yourself from familiar surroundings, routines, and social networks. In the case of an international move, you need to adapt to new customs, social norms and perhaps a different language. Also, finding some aspects of the move itself are outside of your control, such as when your goods will clear customs, contribute to the sense of volatility.
✅ Uncertainty refers to the presence of unknown factors and situations. Moving to a foreign country introduces new uncertainties such as language barriers, cultural differences, unfamiliar bureaucratic procedures, and the potential need to adapt to new social norms. When moving into a new home, you may feel uncertain about the new neighborhood and the living space. Uncertainty can also arise regarding logistical aspects of the move such as the condition of your belongings and the timing of the move. The uncertainty of not knowing exactly how everything will fit together and whether you will feel at home in the new environment can amplify the VUCA that you feel.
✅ Complexity refers to the intricate interplay of various elements that make the move challenging. Moving internationally is a complex undertaking with many moving parts. You are dealing with a different legal system, navigating different bureaucratic procedures, while in unfamiliar surroundings. It is easy to become overwhelmed. In our case, we dealt with several different companies associated with our move on the sending and receiving side. To make it even more interesting, they had vastly different procedures and spoke different languages.
✅ Ambiguity refers to the presence of multiple, often conflicting, interpretations and possibilities. It manifests in several ways, such as cultural differences, unfamiliar environments, and unpredictable outcomes. Ambiguity often arises from the inherent difficulty in accurately predicting and understanding the intricacies of the new country’s customs, language, social norms, and systems. When you are moving internationally, you are confronted with an array of unfamiliar situations which can lead to confusion, hesitation, and a sense of disorientation because you are navigating through uncharted territory. You will find yourself making decisions with incomplete information. You may not know all the details about your new home or the logistics of settling in until you physically arrive. This ambiguity can create a sense of unease and make it challenging to plan and anticipate certain aspects of the move. As a result, you may end up shipping items that will not work in the new home and not shipping things that you will need.
So how can you navigate the VUCA related to moving internationally? Here are a few tips.
1) Focus on what you can control – Many aspects of a move like this will be out of your control and this creates frustration. Focus on the things you can control or influence. Establish a routine, prioritize tasks, and take small steps to maintain a sense of stability amidst the VUCA. When you are confronted with unpacking chaos, adopting a Tetris mindset, as mentioned in our previous blog, will make things a bit easier.
2) Embrace flexibility – Recognize that moving is a dynamic process, and unexpected changes will happen. Maintain a flexible mindset and be prepared to adapt your plans and expectations along the way. Be ready for any Tetris shape to fall onto your board.
3) Seek support – Reach out to friends, family members or professionals who can offer guidance, support, or a helping hand during the moving process. Their expertise, perspective and physical help can help alleviate some of the VUCA-related stress. In our case, we hired some help for unpacking and moving and supplemented this with friends. Some of the people we expected to help didn’t do a whole lot but others stepped up well beyond our expectations. Some of the people who worked with us showed a real prowess for Tetris, which accelerated the speed of the process of getting everything into its proper place.
4) Plan and communicate – Approach the move like you would a complex project at work. Develop a detailed moving plan, including timelines, checklists, and contingencies. Effective communication with moving companies, service providers and other involved parties can help reduce uncertainty and ambiguity. Assume that you will need to intervene regularly to facilitate communication between service providers.
5) Practice self-care – Moving can be physically and emotionally draining. Remember to take breaks and engage in activities that help you relax and rejuvenate. Taking care of your well-being can improve your ability to navigate the VUCA of the moving process.
Although an international move can evoke a feeling of VUCA, understanding and acknowledging these challenges can help you approach the process with resilience. Embrace the opportunity for growth and new beginnings and remember that once the pieces fall into place, the VUCA will gradually transform into a sense of stability and familiarity in your new environment.