I said that I was struggling with my decision regarding which way to go and had found myself with one foot on each path, dithering back and forth over which way to go.

Well, I finally made a decision (and actually took my own advice!) and decided to take a leap of faith, to back myself, and take on a sole-occupied premises for my business.

It has been a road not without its bumps, but after five months of preparation and negotiation, I finally took possession of my very first "proper" office space that I get to call entirely my own last week.

Then the painting began. Let me tell you, I have a new appreciation for the mastery of painting.

As I type this two-fingered because the muscles and ligaments in my forearms, thumbs and palms are dancing a death jive, I can honestly say that I thoroughly hate the task. However, as I start to see my office space come together as I had imagined it, I have had to acknowledge that the pain is worth it.

I often say that nothing really worth having is easily attained.

This move into the new space represents a change in business outlook, and while the services that I offer remain the same, the way I feel about them has changed.

The feeling is not entirely different to that of leaving home for the first time. Dad carted all my furniture and supplies from my old office into my new one, just as he carted all my stuff down to Melbourne when I left home to go to university.

I've left my work family behind in my old office and am starting out on my own, putting my own stamp on things, with a determination to take advantage of the new opportunities that I can forge for myself.

And I know that despite all the feelings of independence, my family has my back.

It turns out, embracing change and the new challenges that we face has a lot to do with how we perceive it

We need to be aware of the fact that change is an inevitable part of life: it either happens to us and we are left to deal with the aftermath, or we instigate it and get to have more of a say in shaping it. Nothing stays the same forever, but this doesn't have to be a bad thing, or even a scary thing. It can be an exciting opportunity for growth and innovation.

The fast-changing nature of our work environment means that change management, adaptability and resilience are key drivers of success in this generation of workers.

This change can come in the form of how we do business, how we interact with internal and external stakeholders, the types of products that we are selling, the way we think about the market and even what the nature of our jobs are.

It is not uncommon for big global companies to run teams across different countries, connected via communication technology to facilitate teamwork and drive collaboration that spans cultural and geographical divides.

Twenty years ago, this would be impossible, but change in the way we can communicate with each other has shrunk the distances between the far ends of the earth and the opportunities for growth and connectedness abound.

Many of us are creatures of habit and naturally resist change, especially when it creates uncertainty. But we mustn't forget our own sense of agency and the power that we have to shape the world of work around us. As with so many things, how we engage in a changing world is highly influenced by our attitudes and willingness to adapt to new ways of thinking, acting and connecting with others. I'm not saying it is easy, but I am saying that it is worth it.

Back in May, I said that everything we do requires a spot of courage and, sometimes, the blind faith to take that leap.

Change often requires that same leap of faith, but it is driven by the realisation that we have the power to shape our own future. Even if it kills our hands, thanks to painting spasms, in the process.

Zoë Wundenberg is a careers writer and coach at impressability.com.au