New isn’t always better, but it is reality…
It is interesting that as we age, many of us become less willing to embrace change. At some point, we start preferring to look backwards rather than forwards to make sense of our lives. The word “new” begins to lose its positive connotation. I’m not exactly sure why this happens, but I see evidence of it in almost every conversation I have with one of my peers. Thank goodness, there is always a younger generation behind us pushing the envelope regarding what’s possible and could be better. At minimum, as a society, we need the collective adaptive capacity to adjust to changing circumstances.
Things will never be the way they were or stay the way they are now. Think about your own life and how different it is from only 5 years ago. Technology tools that most of us didn’t even know existed are now a regular part of everyday life. How many channels do you now have on your TV, and are you listening to satellite radio in your car or on your computer? The idea of “green living” has gained incredible momentum with recycling, a commonplace daily activity. Health care advances continue to boggle the mind and prolong life.
Sadly, you’ve lost some people close to you, but also gained important new relationships. You’ve watched people get married and/or divorced, have kids, or some combination of these events. Children around you have grown up and become young adults. You’ve seen people retire or change careers, while others have received big promotions. Some people you know have bought their first house, while others may have sold their last one. Your economic situation has either improved, worsened, or been a shifting combination of both. The bottom line is that nothing ever stays the same.
New isn’t always better, but it is reality. In business circles these days, we often refer to the “new normal” and how it’s affecting geopolitics, the economy, various industries and markets, and individual business situations. All the data indicates that failing to adjust and adapt to these events poses a risk to you. Moreover, the pace of change is only accelerating. Each of us must embrace the fact that many of the things we currently take for granted will inevitably shift and be different. I encourage you to look forward, not backward, and embrace the concept of “new” in your life.