Beat change to the punch

Here are some popular remarks from people in the 50’s:

1. “Marilyn Monroe is now showing her bra and panties, so apparently, there are no standards anymore.” (Ever heard of videos?) ...

2. “Pretty soon you won’t be able to buy a good 10-cent cigar.” The fact is you won’t be able to buy anything with 10 cents....

3. “I read the other day that some scientist thinks it’s possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas.” (self-explanatory)...

4. “Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn’t surprise me if someday, they’ll be making more than the president.” (Ever heard of Million Dollar Contracts?) ...

5. “Do you suppose television will ever reach our part of the country?” (Ever watched TV from your phones?) Next...

6. “I never thought I’d see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now.” (Now what is that?) ...

7. “It’s too bad that things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet.” (Ever heard of breaking the glass ceiling?) ...

8. “It won’t be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids, so they can both work.” (What about day care centers or nannies?)...

9. “Marriage doesn’t mean a thing anymore, those Hollywood stars seem to be getting divorced at the drop of a hat.” (No comment on this...)

10. “I’ll tell you one thing. If my kid ever talks back to me like that, they won’t be able to sit down for a week.” (One British statesman commented: “The thing that fascinates me about this country is the way their parents obey their children”)...

See the massive change that has taken place over the years? Just imagine how people had to adjust and keep pace through the changes. And today’s changes happen at an even accelerated pace that no experience in the history of human kind has ever seen before.

There are people who deny that change is happening, and people who resist that change is happening. And then, there are people who beat change to the punch. These are the people who get a head start and they profit in the long run, and they make friends with change.

Carl Jung once said, “If there’s a fear of falling, the only safety consists in deliberately jumping.” New technologies, a new boss, a new direction for the company – change is coming at you from every direction. Don’t wait for it to take you by surprise. Beat change to the punch.

Stuart R. Levine, author of the book “Cut to the Chase” says: “I recently saw how resistance to change devastated the careers of two men I know. When their companies merged, the two men, who were regional vice presidents, were asked to collaborate on an integration strategy. They fought on every aspect of the integration until the CEO put them in the same room and said, “What are you going to tell your families when I have to fire you both?” Sadly, neither could move forward and both were eventually fired. Had they used the project as an opportunity to show their worth to the new enterprise, both would be flourishing in high-level jobs today.”

Change is staring at us in the face. Decide on making the most out of the new situation, whatever it is:

• If your company has been bought, learn all you can about the acquiring company. Think creatively about new opportunities the acquisition creates.

Then draft a one-page memo to share your thinking with your boss.

• If you’re working for a new boss, e-mail your congratulations and request a meeting. Ask about his or her priorities. Review what you’re working on and offer to help in challenging areas.

• Scan trade publications and talk with peers to discover new technologies, business practices, or processes that might help you do your job better. Talk with your boss about adopting them.

Resisting change wastes time. It can burn you out and cause others to lose patience. Instead, view change as an opportunity. Before long, you won’t just respond to change. You’ll start seeking it out. Be a change junkie, but be sure you are always changing for the better and never changing for the worst.

Even God expects positive change in us. This is why the Bible says that we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

C.S. Lewis says: “Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing the monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.”

And forward is a good direction to go.

Somebody says: “When you’re finished changing…you are finished!”

I believe so, and perhaps, this is why I am not…and you should not be too.

(Attend two inspiring days of leadership training with Francis Kong in his highly-acclaimed Level Up Leadership seminar-workshop on Sept. 18 and 19 at Makati Diamond Residences near Greenbelt 1. For registration or inquiries contact April at +63928-559-1798 or register online at www.levelupleadership.ph)