“Change before you have to.”~ Jack Welch
It is easy to get stuck in a rut. We get comfortable with a certain way of thinking, being, doing, reacting – and we stay that way.
Sometimes that is fine. There is sense to the old adage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” There is a reason that things work and there is comfort, expertise, and effectiveness in routine. We know what to expect; we know what to do; we know what the outcome will be.
There are also times when the world is changing, and we are somehow far behind the changing times and changing needs. Perhaps your old way of interacting at work doesn’t reflect the new needs of your team or your organization. Perhaps you’re treating your kids as if they were still young, and they’re now teenagers. Perhaps your responsibilities at work have grown, yet you’re still showing up as an independent producer, not as a leader and manager of others.
It is easier to change before your back is against the wall and you have no choice – having ownership of the timing and pace of your change is a great way to reduce any discomfort and confusion you might feel along the way. Having your eyes and ears open to what might be coming your way allows you to change before you have to, to be in charge of your destiny, and to be aware and intentional about who you are and where you’re going. Changing before you’re forced – before you have to – can bring your greater fulfillment and success.
Acknowledge the change that is coming your way and commit to one thing you will do differently as a result of it.
What are the changes that might be coming your way? Where in your life and work might you need to change?
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