Change is a Good Thing

By Herm Allen

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We have all heard the old adage, change is constant. That means we and the world in which we exist are always in a constant state of changing. Though this may be the case, we only have control of change as it relates to us. We can’t change other people nor can we change other people’s minds.

There may be things we say or do and the end result is them “changing” their mind, however we didn’t change it - they had to consciously and actively do it themselves. So as you think about your current academic or vocational situation, what are you consciously and actively doing to change the situation if it is not what you desire at this moment in time?

Change that is planned has far more benefits than change resulting from a reaction. By reaction, for example, I mean quitting your job without seriously considering the consequences.

You should be preparing yourself daily for change. Something I ask my students is when opportunity knocks, will you be prepared to answer? On a personal note, I will be making a position change from my current full-time position.

Am I ready? Of course, because I have been preparing myself - for a while - to make a move. This change will allow me to use my strengths helping students and families realize their dreams as well as challenge me to learn a new skill set.

Even though there are some things you may not have control over (e.g. company closing), you do have control over how you respond to them. Here are a few suggestions to help you make change a “good thing.”

• Never allow yourself to become stagnant.
• Don’t let complacency stunt your growth.
• Seek out personal and professional development opportunities

Still water freezes faster than moving water. If you are frozen in your current job or life situation, take a close look at what needs to move - i.e. what needs to change and what are you doing about it?