The discussion of “change” is one that is brought up on a continual basis. It is a topic of conversation for educational purposes, in the workplace and in our personal lives. For some, change is a welcomed concept and for others, the usual response comes in the form of resistance.
In one of the first classes I took as a graduate student, we were required to read a book by author, Spencer Johnson, entitled, “Who Moved My Cheese?” In his story, Johnson focuses on resistance and change. Using mice as both the protagonist and antagonist, he tells the tale of how the mice must track down where their cheese was moved. It sounds silly, however, the book helps people deal with change in both their work lives and personal lives.
I never fully grasped how important it is to accept change until I read this book. It forced me to look at the concept from a different perspective. Why are we so fearful of change? Because we value comfort. And what does change do? It takes us out of our comfort zone and forces us to learn new ideas and skills. It isn’t always a simple notion, but when we resist change, we make progression that much more difficult to achieve. Let’s take a look at less flagrant example a lot of us can relate to: exercise.
When it comes to exercising, many of us have a set routine. We run the same mileage at the same pace, lift the same amount of weight, or go to the same exercise class. Our bodies get used to this routine, we become “comfortable.” The result is fewer calories burned even when we’re exercising the same amount.
Think about training plans for marathon runners. Does it have them run the same mileage, at the same 8-mile pace, every day until race day? No. The workout varies so that the runner challenges their body to work harder. One day they might be running a timed trial, the next day a tempo run, and the next a distance run. Some days might involve cross-train activities and remove running altogether.
When we challenge ourselves and push our limits, we really begin to see the positive difference – and that progression goes far beyond exercise.
Change doesn’t always present itself in drastic ways, change happens subtly in everyday life. When you encounter change in your life, embrace it. When the pace of change accelerates, try your best to make adjustments. It won’t always be a comfortable feeling, but the sooner you adjust the more you’ll excel.
What I’m hoping you’ll get out of this is a simple realization. A realization that change isn’t a result of our personal preferences. Change is dynamic, and that dynamism is constant…whether we like it or not. The more willing and ready we are to deal with it, the better position we’re putting ourselves in.
Understand it, commit to it, and take action – because change will always be present.
