If nothing changes, nothing changes. – Pancakeism
Here is something that we can all be sure of. The world will be a different place tomorrow than it is today. From moment to moment, hour to hour, month to month, year to year, things change. Sometimes the changes are dramatic and we can’t help but see them. Other changes are more subtle but just as potentially influential.
Change itself is not good or bad. It is simply a fact of life. The situations that are brought about by change can certainly be good, bad, or more often, a combination of both. Yet change itself is neutral. Change can become either a powerful positive tool or a cruel oppressor, depending entirely on how we respond to it and make use of it.
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Arthur Baldwin
There is something in every one of us that welcomes change, and also something that fears change. We welcome change because we know it can make life better. We fear change because we know it can be challenging and risky. We are correct on both counts. Nothing happens without change. Things cannot get better without change. Change is absolutely essential and in change there is risk. Change brings the element of the unknown. Change is necessary and it’s not evil.
As creatures of habit, people often find change difficult to embrace. For some of us, it’s pure laziness. But for others, we don’t like the lack of control or the uncertainty of worse outcomes, bruised egos, embarrassment or failing. Change upsets the status quo and can erode your sense of security. Change is inevitable.
The price of doing the same old thing is higher than the price of change. – President Bill Clinton
Change creates opportunity. Opportunity does not exist without change. Opportunities are too often portrayed as something for nothing. In reality, there is no such thing. Opportunity involves effort and a big part of that effort comes about through change — changing your attitude, changing your perspective, changing your thinking, changing your actions. Change is a BIG part of being successful.
Leaders must learn to embrace change and even encourage change. Great leaders, by definition, are change agents, the catalyst and support of change.
The H5H action steps to Embrace Change in your life or business – by Larry Winget
- Decide to change. Most people say they want to change without making the real decision to change. A true decision is based on commitment. You have given your word to yourself. It’s a decision that says regardless of what you run up against, you are going to change. It’s a deal you have struck with yourself and there is no going back!
- Know WHY you want to change. Too many people get caught up in HOW they are going to change. That comes later. There are lots of ways to change. How is the easy part. Why is much tougher. Let’s say you have decided to lose weight. Good for you. Why? To be healthier? To live longer? All great answers. Go deeper. Why do you want to be healthier? Why is it important to live longer? I did this exercise with a woman who after asking WHY several times, it came out that she just wanted to look good in a swimsuit this summer so she wouldn’t be embarrassed. Embarrassment was the answer. This is just an example, but you get it. Dig deep for the WHY you want to change.
- Be willing to do whatever it takes to change. It’s a rule: Life doesn’t always ask you to DO whatever it takes, but you had better be WILLING to do whatever it takes. If you aren’t willing, save yourself the time and don’t even start the process as you will end up quitting soon anyway.
- Do whatever it takes to change. Yeah, this is the work part. No change is going to happen without work and action. There’s no way around it so roll up your sleeves, get off your butt and do the work.
- When you fail, dust yourself off and start again. You will fail. Success is about moving past failure. Don’t cry, don’t whine, don’t get stuck. Just play through the pain and keep going no matter what. No excuses are acceptable.
Short list but big work. Get started right now on the changes you want to create in your life and in your business. By the way, when you get to where you want to be, celebrate. That’s the pay off. Celebrate your victory, set a new target and get back to work.
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” — Apple Inc.
Embrace change and keep Moving Forward!
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