We’re all prone to worry, specifically about things changing. I love change, but I’m always a bit scared that it will hurt me. What if the industry changes and my websites no longer bring me money? What if a new company comes in and does what I’m doing better? What if something else replaces the Internet and all my current skills become useless?
I’m sure your fears of change are a bit different than mine. But they’re no less ridiculous. Here’s why.
1. It assumes you won’t change too.
The reason we fear change is that we don’t see our own capacity for change. I’m convinced that we can change along with anything that changes. If the industry shifts, you can shift with it. If what people like changes, you can change the type of things you create.
Your personality changes. Your family dynamic changes.
The fact is: If nothing else changed in this world, you would still change. Whatever success or satisfaction you feel right now would go away because you would change. Why wouldn’t you want the world to change with you?
2. It assumes the change might be negative.
So now something changes, we naturally revert back to our elementary school math and flip a coin in our head. The change will either be positive or negative. Heads or tails. The problem is: Changes don’t work by that heads-or-tails statistic. Most change is actually neutral. It’s almost like the coin lands on its side, and our decisions push the coin one way or another.
There isn’t a 50/50 chance the change will be negative. In fact, I’m convinced there’s a 100% chance it can be positive, based on our response to the change.
3. It assumes you were actually in control.
Finally, and most importantly, you were never in control in the first place. You merely saw a wave – the way things were – and grabbed a surfboard to ride the it. The wave goes where it wants. You just ride it. It will change, and unexpectedly.
You caught the wave once. You can catch it again. Even if it tosses you violently from its arc. Get back on.
I’m continually reminding myself of these three things. Change is not bad. And it encourages me to change proactively, anticipating the new situation with excitement. I’m constantly pivoting, looking for the next wave that will come along.
Are you changing with the times? Are you excited about the change that is to come? I think you should be.
