The Journey: Change can be a difficult venture for many
By SAMANTHA BRAZIE, Special to The Paper
Buenas, Paper readers! I have worked a few very different jobs, with two specific similarities: I’ve always worked with people and helped people undergo change.
Personally, I believe one of the hardest parts about most jobs and life in general is people. We’re all so different and in order to move in the same direction, we have to be somewhat on the same page. Better together, power in numbers, all that stuff. However, in my experience the ultimate most excruciating part of working with people is how hard they fight change.
Believe me, I can be about as stubborn as they come – but I do have a baseline understanding of how important it is to change and evolve and will almost always at least try whatever it is for an agreed upon period of time. What I came to realize (which I’m sure you’ve heard many times, and in multiple ways) is that if we keep doing the same thing, we will more than likely keep getting the same results. I can’t tell you how many times I have discussed a potential change with someone and I hear, “we’ve always done it this way.” Well, my friend, that’s exactly why you should change it. What you’re doing might be working, but if you tweak it maybe it will be better.
The argument can be made for Blockbuster that their fees, not Netflix, was the ultimate demise of the business but at the end of the day, they tanked. Whether it was their fees or the fact that people wanted more convenience, by making no choice at all – Blockbuster in fact made a choice not to do anything. When they finally began to pivot, it was just too late for them.
If you are living paycheck to paycheck with no money to spare, have you looked for any small tweaks like having a small portion of your check moved over to a savings account from your payroll department, so you don’t see it in checking? Just because you are getting your bills paid does not mean you are stable. You’re stable until something unforeseen happens, and then you aren’t anymore.
If there is anything in your life that you desire to be different, then it is up to you to find the tweak. Set some boundaries and don’t wait for motivation – make a commitment to yourself and stick to it. Don’t let anything or anyone (especially you) get in your way.
We’ve all experienced change, whether by choice or not. Embrace it. Work with it. And if you can, lean into it.
Don’t wait until the thing you’ve always done becomes the thing that breaks you.
‘Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.’ – Harriet Tubman
Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected].
