When major change occurs, people have similar reactions of fear, anxiety, self-doubt, and a lack of control. The difference occurs in how individuals respond to change. It is important to differentiate between change and transition. Change is situational. It is the event, such as a new house, a new job, or the loss of a family business.
Transition is the psychological process one goes through in adapting to change.
Unless a successful transition occurs, change will not work. Since change is often beyond our control, it is important to focus on how individuals respond to change, or make the transition. How one views change has a great impact on the transition. Typically, individuals view change as either opportunity or loss. How individuals view change is dependent on many things.