I do not like change! There are certain routines I started some 50 years ago: when I wake up, when I eat, when I work out, and going into the hot tub before I go to bed. They give normality to my world. Even my behavioral style report supports my claim of disliking change. My world is groovy when I have a clear vision of where I am heading and know how I will get there.
The other side of that coin is lack of spontaneity, and risk- taking. I am perceived as being inflexible and “in a rut.” I have gotten better at being flexible in these areas when other people are involved.
This got tested recently, when after owning 7 Mustangs, I changed brands. It was not because I had a bad experience (they will always be my favorite car), but because I got a sweet deal on a fun car without a pony on the front grill. This caused many close friends and family members to wonder if I was okay with this change. I am still happy with this decision and do not feel I settled in any way.
I used to claim I was not good with change. But after reflection, I have changed my tune (get it?). Just because I don’t like change, doesn’t mean I am not good at it. I have experienced a lot of change over my 66 years. I have lived in 15 different homes and had 25 different jobs with 16 different companies. Thank goodness for the stability in my marriage to counterbalance all those changes.
People generally don’t like change that is perceived by them to be negative. Ask members of the losing political parties after an election or those whose team lost the Super Bowl. The winning side looks at the same change as a positive. We love change when prices go down and income goes up. Even that free piece of birthday cake takes the edge off the fact we are getting older. Change seems to be more frightening because we cannot control it.
One of the benefits my clients receive when I facilitate workshops is my ability to read the audience, and adapt my program to meet their needs, versus sticking to the original plan I had prepped for.
I went through an exercise where they asked us to list everything in the world that changes. Then they asked us to list everything that does not change. The changes list was much longer, showing me that I need to deal with change effectively because I am not ready to bury my head in the sand. How about you?