Change, Get Used To It!
What is wrong with everyone? People whine and cry and moan and groan because something in their life or world has changed. Sometimes I think that Mark Twain had it right when he said, “The only person who likes change is a wet baby.” What is wrong with change?
Personally, I think that “change” is one of the most convenient of modern-day excuses for someone’s lack of productivity or personal development. We have become a grossly complacent society. Honestly, the reason people don’t like change is because they are comfortable with what they’re doing, where they’re at and their current comfort zone. They’re satisfied with their friends, their job, where they live, what they know and what they don’t know. Many of us have decided to sit back and settle for NOW, instead of striving for what could be.
We’ve decided that what’s familiar is safe. Anything that represents change is worthy of being fearful. Just think about the things that change has given us in just the last few years. We’ll stand in lines for the newest cell phones and pay through the nose for just small changes in the product. Change has given us movies on demand; UBER and instantaneous information. Change allows us to communicate with friends and family, through video, instantly connecting us wherever we’re at in the world, it’s brought us together. We can get educational degrees without leaving the house and watch any sports team you want from several devices, whenever you want.
Change has improved our lives, yet, people will not accept change. They continue to resist it. More of my hair falls out every time I hear a business owner, or anyone for that matter say, “well coach, that’s the way we’ve always done it.” Marketing and communications change every day and I believe that if you continue to do things the way you’ve always done things you will fail and fail badly. We have more options than ever for personal and professional development. To get better jobs today, even menial labor, you will be required to be able to use certain productivity apps and business software as a requisite of your job. If you can’t or won’t, you won’t be considered.
Nearly 50 years ago, In his landmark book, FUTURE SHOCK, Alvin Toffler predicted the future we’re now living in, when he said, “The illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, un-learn and re-learn.” Inability to change is the new definition of illiteracy. Face it, change is inevitable, it will happen, you can’t avoid it, so, shut up and get used to it and accept it. Have some fun and enjoy the ride. If you don’t, you will be left behind, then you will have something to gripe about. But by then no one will be listening to you because the smart ones will be moving.
Change or get out of the way!