Thoughts About Change
Author: Catherine Pulsifer, © 2001
If you could change one thing in your life what would it be?A tough question for some people. For others they don’t even have to think about it they know exactly what the change is. So lets look at why it is tough for some people and why for others it is easier. A tough question for some people. Why?
Resistance Is Harmful
Change is sometimes threatening to us. It takes away the “known”. We may be the type of person who likes routine, it is our security, and “change” may upset our routine, our security. For some people change moves them out of their comfort zone and gives them a fear of failing. The saddest thing for me is watching those who don’t want to change, they resist the change, they put up barriers to try and stop change.
Our world is constantly changing, has been for years and will continue in the years to come. Heraclitus was a Greek Philosopher and lived during 500 B.C.. He is quoted as saying, “There is nothing permanent except change.” That was written many years ago and now here we are entering the millennium and change seems to be much faster today. For those who resist it, life can become very difficult and frustrating to say the least. But, those who embrace change life can be an exciting adventure.
Change Fires Rapidly
One of the major contributors to our faster pace change is technology. Take the Internet for example, look at the information available to us. Look at how fast we can access the information we need. I remember when I was doing research for university, (before I had access to the Internet). I would go to the library, look up reference books, locate the books and easily spend the day combing through the books looking for the specific information I needed.
Today, I sign on to the Internet, do a search for the specific information I need and in seconds have tons of information. I can then go the sites and print the info I need. It has cut my time in half (if not more!), plus it has given me a much wider range of information. Many times when I used the library, I had to order a specific book I wanted and then wait a week or longer for the book to arrive. Using the Internet I have access to world wide information in seconds.
More Than One Type
Technology is changing our lives in many different ways! Everything from faster more efficient ways of doing business to lowering the cost of goods by eliminating the middle man. It is eliminating some jobs, however, creating new opportunities. But what are we focused on? Do you focus on the opportunity and see the positive or do you focus on the change and fight it.
Looking back in history we can see changes that improved our world, but also ones that people opposed. From the invention of the automobile, the plane, the improvement in building materials to the betterment of the human race. Imagine for only a moment what this world would be like if change did not occur. You may say life was simpler, yes in some cases that is right. But just as children grow, we grow with change. Imagine trying to stop a child from growing up, it is impossible to do. Accepting change as a way of life allows you to continue to develop and move forward.
Do Not Waste Your Energy
Resisting change in your life wastes valuable energy. When people focus on stopping the change rather than being open and trying to understand the change they are missing opportunities. In every change there is a positive effect. At the time when the change occurs we sometimes cannot see the positive, but if we focus and really look for it, there is good in it. Resisting change can lead to job loss, to marriage break ups, to friendships lost, to financial challenges. And for those who have experience this life is difficult. Just imagine what our world would be like if change did not occur.
More Than Just A Thought
For those who know the change you would make, my question to you is “what are you doing to make it happen.” Wishing for something will never make it happen. But setting goals and taking action will make your change happen. If you don’t like the path your life is on, take action, implement the things you need to, continue to develop your skills, learn new things. Life will be much more exciting and rewarding. We have all heard the saying, “Some people go their grave with their music still in them.” They have had a dream but never did anything to make that dream come true. If you answered the question, “what would the one thing you would like to change”, but have done nothing to change it, start to do something. Break down the change into steps, set time frames for yourself and start taking steps to make that change a reality.
Don’t let others change your life, be your own change agent and implement the changes you want! If you don’t take the steps necessary you will find your life being changed by others and you will find it is not the life that you want. And if an unexpected change occurs in your life, find the positive in it. Rather than wasting your energy and wasting your time on fighting it, focus on the positive, in some cases search for the positive – there is opportunity in every change. Let change be your friend!
Inspirational Quotes for Reflection:
“They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.” Confucius
“Change always comes bearing gifts.” Price Pritchett
“Change can be good and bad. It is good because it can create a level of excitement needed to build energy and momentum in difficult times.” Jeff Hastings; Greg Lucas
“Often the reason we don’t make changes in our life is because we feel overwhelmed by the perceived enormity of the task ahead of us. By looking for small ways to take action we remove this barrier blocking us from living our life in line with what we value most.” Cyd Casados
“If you don’t remember a blessed thing I’ve said here, please remember this: If you keep moving change will occur. It has too. If you crawl in a hole and just lay there, you will stay there.” Willow Cross
“Your success starts when you start to change yourself. Most important thing is your change must be in a positive way.” Sampath Bandara
“You have to accept the bad moments by changing your way of looking at them. Everything that happens to you is a challenge and an opportunity at the same time.” Marc Reklau
“Just reading is not enough to make you happy – you have to take action and change your life.” Cara Stein
“They who know how to employ opportunities will often find that they can create them; and what we can achieve depends less on the amount of time we possess than on the use we make of our time.” John S. Mill
“Mediocre men wait for opportunity to come to them. Strong, able, alert men go after opportunity.” B. C. Forbes
“You must be willing to make change in order to make progress; however, once you achieve the status of a successful person, do not think that it is necessary for you to have to continue changing.” Michael Henson
“Everyone knows that not all change is good or even necessary. But in a world that is constantly changing, it is to our advantage to learn how to adapt and enjoy something better.” Spencer Johnson
“Making changes is very difficult. Therefore, if you are to emerge successful, you need to find a way of being continually motivated to change.” Nick Bell
“Surely you know plenty of people who need to make a change, but despite your most well-intentioned efforts, they resist because people fundamentally fear change.” Sarah Goldberg
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