Personal Development, Leadership, and Motivation Blog SeriesMislabeling of change Change, even the word by itself sounds scary and gives a sense of discomfort. Change typically involves stepping away from the norm and business as usual way of doing things, and step into something new, unexplored territory, change in lifestyle, habits, business practices, way of thinking. When we think about change, fear of the unknown overwhelms us with wave of negative thoughts and concerns. But why do we immediately focus on the negative when we think about change? Is change something that we should fear or is it an opportunity to start new, start fresh, and re-create your life for a better? Change in our lives Change is a driver of growth and progress in any environment or phase of our life. Therefore, it should not be viewed or regarded as something negative or fearful. Change should be something that we look forward to versus trying to avoid. When we attempt to avoid change, we are telling ourselves and everyone around us that we are comfortable where we are now and do now want anything more, we are happy with the way life goes and prefer to keep everything the way it is. But, is that really the truth or are we simply telling ourselves and others that we are afraid of the unknown. Now we know exactly where we are, what we have, how it is going to be in the next 5-15 years, but when change comes to play, we refuse to think about it or accept it as an opportunity to explore something new and different, perhaps something more fulfilling and exciting. Readiness for change When we choose to accept change, we tell everyone and the universe that we are ready for more, for something greater and not satisfied to continue sitting in the same place for the rest of our life. When we are open and willing to embrace change, we would begin to notice changes in our life, new opportunities, new challenges, and new ways to invest into personal and professional growth. I am not saying that change is always simple and comes easy. Often we are faced with challenges and obstacles along the way, especially at the beginning of a new journey. However, during these times of change that’s when we learn and acquire new skills and enhance our existing strengths to prepare us for a new journey. Exploring the world around us When we change where we live from geographical perspective and move somewhere else, somewhere new, we meet new people, new cultures, new way of life, which helps us to expand our knowledge and introduce new and different perspectives into our character development while continuing growing as a person. Staying in one place all of our life will never get us there, unless we are in a position to travel around the world and explore multicultural and vibrant world around us on the regular basis. Change in the mindset – ‘Minimum Wage Mindset or ‘Success and Growth Mindset’ The other way of experiencing change is by changing our mindset and go from ‘minimum wage mindset’ to ‘success and growth mindset’. We often talk about how much we want to change where we are today - living paycheck to paycheck, never seeing world around us due to lack of resources or time, because, we try to save few dollars to be able to buy basic necessities and for gifts for birthdays and holidays. However, someone with a ‘minimum wage mindset’ is not taking any steps to change where they are today and actually start doing something that sets them on a path of progress and change. By ‘minimum wage mindset’ I am not referring to someone who is broke, but to someone who’s mindset is set on unwillingness to act or trying something new and different to change their life for a better, whatever that may be for them – more time with family and kids, more money, bigger house, better or newer car, etc. We all have different goals in life, therefore, what’s important to me, may not be as important to someone else. Therefore, we have to choose and go after what we want to achieve in life. Change in Business Change works the same way in business. The businesses that are unwilling or afraid to change their processes, policies, ways of conducting business, would eventually disappear and be replaced by the ones that welcome change, innovation, and respond quickly to changes in consumer wants, needs, and expectations. Business environment is always changing and evolving, new technology is introduced every day, consumer behaviors change, therefore, it is essential to keep moving and adapt to world and expectations around us, if our goal is to grow and deliver value to our customers for many years to come. Don’t be afraid of change Change is not something that we should fear, instead, we should be open to and welcome change into our lives. Change is always present around us, all we need to do is recognize it and act on opportunities that it presents with determination and optimism. We are always in control what happens to us, that includes whether we are standing still or moving forward, the choice is yours. Enjoyed this module and interested in receiving free Weekly Leadership Digest, delivered straight to your inbox with latest updates, then complete quick form at the bottom of this page and you will be on your way! It's that simple! 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50 Comments
3/28/2017 07:57:34 pm
Great post. Honest truth that a lot people don't like to face. Thanks for this.
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Robin Rue
3/29/2017 04:51:45 am
I am one of those people who doesn't like change. I don't fear it, but I like my comfortable routines.
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3/29/2017 07:20:16 am
Thank you for your comment, Robin. To add to your point, there are very few people in this world who truly like change. Change does require moving away from your comfort zone and into unexplored territory. However, if someone is not happy where they are today, fear or unwillingness to change is what's holding them back.
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3/29/2017 08:07:05 am
Great point, CJ. We either create opportunities for growth or create barriers.
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3/29/2017 01:44:20 pm
You hit the nail on the head with this one. We are facing a big change, and you have a great point - why do we automatically focus on the negative?!
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3/29/2017 05:13:09 pm
Thank you for your feedback and comments, Kristen. I think why we automatically focus on the negative when change is introduced is, because, that is how many of us were conditioned to think and feel in the past. So, there's definitely an opportunity to change our mindset and focus to start viewing changes from different, more positive perspective
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3/29/2017 08:11:59 pm
Hi Shirley. Thank you for your kind feedback and comments. You are absolutely righ, we do often need to step outside of our comfortable zone when we are faced with a decision to accept change or leave everything as is, and making such decision can be difficult at times but, as you pointed out, necessary
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Kim Lee
3/29/2017 06:57:32 pm
Change can be so hard for me, but in the long run it's usually a good thing. I like your perspective.
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3/29/2017 08:22:50 pm
Hi Kim. Thank you for your feedback and perspective. It would be untrue if I said that change is always easy, bacauseit is not. I've had to make some hard decisions in my life, and often they were tough to come by. However, looking back I am glad that I've accepted changes and opportunities that were presented to me. The key is to make sure that whichever choices you are making are moving you forward toward a better future and not the other way around
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3/29/2017 08:02:52 pm
Change can be a very scary and overwhelming thing to do. And often it does bear fruit.
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3/29/2017 08:35:11 pm
Hi Kelly. Thank you for sharing your perspective on change. Change certainly can be scary and overwhelming. It may not always be the the change you are looking for or anticipate. Sometimes, we need to make necessary changes because that is what is required of us or needed at a particular point in our life, and if the outcome of our decision is not what we had expected, we can learn from our experience, make necessary adjustments and try again
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Leigh Anne Borders
3/29/2017 09:52:01 pm
As a teacher, I see this alot. I try to teach my students and my own kids that we need to look for the positive. That we need to have growth mindsets.
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3/29/2017 10:18:57 pm
Hi Leigh. I absolutely agree, and do believe that even someone with a fixed mindset can develop a growth mindset with time and support from a mentor. The foundation for our character and mindset is set very early in life, but it doesn't mean that it cannot be changed at a later stages in life. Receiving this type of education in school, as you are sharing with your students can help them in so many ways. Thank you!
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3/30/2017 12:21:59 pm
Hi Bel. I love your attitude. Sometimes we need to power through change until we reach the outcome we expect
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3/30/2017 12:07:55 am
I embrace change. It is the best way to get new opportunities in life. Bad and good changes in our lives are okay. They make us more resilient.
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3/30/2017 12:26:58 pm
Hi Sarah! I absolutely agree with your comments and perspective on change. Thank you gor sharing
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3/30/2017 03:53:00 am
The only thing constant in this world is change. Although I tend to be wary of changes and I take extra care before I jump into unfamiliar situations. However, I think if the change turned out into something good, then that's great! If not, then I'd chalk it up to experience.
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3/30/2017 12:31:34 pm
Hi Annemarie! Thank you for your comments. There's absolutely nothing wrong with taking extra care as to contemplating to accept change, risk must be calculated, and not for the sake of taking risk. If something doesn't work out the way we plan, it's great opportunity to learn and do it differently next time
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Elizabeth O.
3/30/2017 06:50:56 am
There's this quote about change being the only thing constant in life. I agree with that one. And we really have to learn how to cope and adjust to it otherwise, it's going to pull us down. I learned this the hard way, to be honest. And now, I would say as an advice to the younger generation, don't fear change, gladly embrace it because it brings so many things, from new and exciting experiences to lessons learned.
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3/30/2017 12:37:35 pm
Hi Elizabeth, it's great e-meeting you. Thank you for your comments and for sharing, as I truly believe that the more we share and help others, the more fulfilling our lives become. I had also learned to embrace change later than I wish that I did, but it's better than never.
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3/30/2017 12:50:21 pm
Hi Oyinkan, I absolutely agree. Success and Growth Mindset go hand in hand
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Hannah Marie
3/30/2017 12:40:11 pm
Change is such a big word that intimidates me. I am afraid of it and I am always lost in it. I know it's constant and it will happen.
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3/30/2017 12:56:40 pm
Hi Hannah, thank you very much for sharing your perspective regarding change. I think asking yourself a question 'Why?' is an essential step to understand change and why it is needed. We need to understand why we are taking a particular action to change ourselves or something that we do. That is what makes many people uncomfortable is simply not knowing the answer to 'why'.
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Erin
3/30/2017 07:21:22 pm
I love this: "changing our mindset and go from ‘minimum wage mindset’ to ‘success and growth mindset"
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3/31/2017 09:36:53 am
Hi Erin. Thank you very much for your feedback and kind comments. I went through exactly the same phase in my life where I was unaware of the 'minimum wage mindset' I had, until I finally discovered my inner limiting beliefs which were mostly based on prior experiences. Once we understand what is inhibiting our growth and let it go, we begin noticing change for a happier life
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3/31/2017 12:23:18 am
The timing for this article couldn't be more perfect. I have always been afraid of change, and sometimes it hinders my ability to grow. I've tried my best to be as positive as I can and be okay with change. I have to keep everything you said in mind for sure!
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3/31/2017 09:48:54 am
Hi Angie. Thank you so much for sharing. Fear of charge can absolutely be a major limiting factor in our personal and professional growth. It important to recognize it and make every effort to overcome that fear. Many people are afraid of change but are simply unwilling to admit it, continuing to live fulfilling someone else's lifetime dreams, vs their own.
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karlyn cruz
3/31/2017 12:55:12 am
Sometimes, we need a change for our-self and that's what I believe. Thanks for this post! It really helps.
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3/31/2017 09:55:00 am
Hi Karlyn. Thank you for your comments. It starts with us and what we want for ourselves. Only we know what we want and are capable of achieving
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3/31/2017 05:32:08 am
Change is indeed scary. many people are afraid of it because of the uncertainty involved. However, if you knew where you are heading and know what you what, coupled with some calculated risk---then it would be quite easy to embrace change :)
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3/31/2017 10:01:42 am
Hi Jojo. Thank you for your comments and insight. You said it perfectly. Once we clear up the uncertainty and know exactly why we need or want to make a change it is much easier to move forward with a plan
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Jays Sweet N Sour Life
3/31/2017 07:32:58 am
I really love this post. I am changing a lot of things in my life, it is hard but will be worth it in the end.
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3/31/2017 10:04:52 am
Thank you so much for sharing and want to wish you the best of luck and courage in whichever change you are facing right now.
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Eazy Nazy
3/31/2017 10:12:29 am
loved this post.it's good to come out of our comfort zones
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Aleksandr Kheyson
3/31/2017 10:15:08 am
Thank you for your king words. If we continue to stay in in comfort zone all the time, we would miss many opportunities that take place on the outside
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4/1/2017 01:05:27 am
Change can be scary but it happens. When we learn to see change as not a bad thing but a way of life and an opportunity to grow...it changes your perspective.
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4/1/2017 09:49:58 pm
Hi Jennifer. You are absolutely right. Our perspective and outlook on change and life starts and ends in our mind. Thank you for sharing
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4/1/2017 06:09:52 am
In a corporate world, the only thing that is permanent is change.
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4/1/2017 09:52:03 pm
Hi Albert. Completely agree. The sooner we realize and acceept it, the easier it is going to be to adjust
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wendy
4/1/2017 01:46:36 pm
Change is a part of life. You have to adapt to it or you will be left behind. Rolling with some of life's changes though is scary but in the end well worth it.
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Aleksandr Kheyson
4/1/2017 02:49:32 pm
Hi Wendy. Thank you for your feedback and comments.
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4/2/2017 06:31:09 pm
Thank you for your kind words, and yes, most of the time it is us creating barriers that don't really exist, except in our mind
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4/4/2017 05:16:59 pm
Change can be scary but totally worth it in the end. I've changed so much in my lifetime!
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