The key to change is to let go of fear. Far too often people will recognize the need for change and then sooner or later, fail to take the steps necessary to let the change manifest in its fulness. Some scupper change right at the “get-go,” either out of a fear of failure or even of success, preferring instead the status quo. Unfortunately, the belief that change can be avoided or put off must eventually succumb to the reality of life: change is inevitable.
Others prefer to wait until the last moment to deal with the changes in their lives. They refuse to acknowledge the change, put it off as long as possible and even deny the factors that give ample proof of impending change. “If I ignore it, it will go away,” they repeat to themselves, hoping against hope that change won’t happen to them or around them for fear, perhaps, of the unknown. The lack of preparedness inherent in this approach can be frustrating, to say the least.
Fear of success, fear of failure and fear of the unknown and unfamiliar paralyzes people and blocks the creative flow of life on a daily basis. No doubt you’ve heard FDR’s famous statement from his first inaugural address: the “Only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” What a wonderful statement. And how true it is! Once you let go of the fear of change you can embrace it and make maximum use of it, no matter how incongruous what emerges is from what you had expected!
Successful handling of change is also stymied by the fear of standing out. Human beings are generally social. Their gregariousness often constrains to a herd mentality, wherever fitting in takes precedence over doing the right thing. “I know that’s the right thing to do,” they might say, “but if I do that, so-and-so won’t like me anymore or I will be singled-out in some way or another.” Far too often the necessary changes are not made because of this brand of fear.
A corollary to this occurs when confronted with the decision to change an approach in the face of the argument that “you can’t make that change because it’s always been done this way!” Just because something has always been done a certain way does not mean that it is the best, correct or most efficient way of handling it in the future. I take this approach in all things. Note “the way it is done” but be willing to consider, research and prove out other ways to do it. Many of the greatest inventions and biggest breakthroughs in human history occurred on this basis.
I just read a beautiful book called The Soul of a Horse, written in 2008 by Joe Camp, who wrote, produced and directed of the Benji books and movies. In the book, Joe tells of his introduction to the horse world, which fortunately for him included the chance to meet Monty Roberts, the horse trainer who inspired Robert Redford’s film, The Horse Whisperer. Joe noted that being the newbie can have its advantages. You look at things without the weight of preconceived notions, prejudices, bad habits and history. The risk is, of course, that you don’t have the benefit of experience…a double-edged sword.
Joe wrote “It’s still a mystery to me how people can ignore what seems to obvious, so logical, simply because it would mean change. Even though the change is for the better. I say look forward to the opportunity to learn something new. Relish and devour knowledge with gusto. Always be reaching for the best possible way to do things. It keeps you alive, and healthy, and happy. And makes for a better world.” When you get a chance, check out Joe’s blog on The Soul of a Horse here: http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/
No matter how hard you try to insulate yourself from the forces of change and progress, change will find a way to happen. Like a sprig of grass or a weed growing up through the concrete in the middle of a parking lot, life will find an avenue for the expression of creative change. Why not release fear and embrace change? Bite your tongue the next time you find yourself thinking or saying “I know that I need to make this change, but I am afraid that if I do…” Let go of the fear and make the change!
Gregory Hake 
Mark’s comment about course correction made me think about space navigation and how the smallest error does matter, for if the path is off by even a tiny bit the spacecraft will keep going in that path until it is far from its intended course. By the time the error is realized it may be too far, too late, and not enough fuel to make the course correction for the craft to get back to where it was supposed to be. I have a deep respect for this analogy, and for the points you have drawn together in this post. Great challenge that we not turn a blind eye or a weak heart to the changes which are key to any person who is interested in being ‘on target’ with a creative life.
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“I say look forward to the opportunity to learn something new. Relish and devour knowledge with gusto. Always be reaching for the best possible way to do things. It keeps you alive, and healthy, and happy. And makes for a better world.” YES!!!!!!
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I really appreciate this post on making changes and it is something I look to support in my students as well. Many of them face challenges which seem insurmountable in some ways (dysfunctional families, legal troubles, coming from other cultures, learning disabilities, low self-esteem, I could go on…). I am constantly challenged to provide inspiration for them to recognize that their ‘issues’ do not have to keep them from succeeding. On the other hand, I have also learned that many of my students are stronger than I have given them credit for – a valuable recognition that has inspired a lot of corrections in my own ‘auto-perception’. Each one deserves my support and my respect.
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“It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.” ~W. Edwards Deming
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Kids are always changing. It’s adults that live in the past because they stop growing. I’ve never seen much that’s so great it shouldn’t change.
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I read this a while back.” If you’re in a bad situation,don’t worry it’ll change. If you’re in a good situation, don’t worry it’ll change.”
This has been the fact from my earliest childhood recollections. You think we’d get used to it. Learning to embrace change should probably be the first skill and most important skill we teach our children. But alas you can’t teach what you don’t know.
Someone just said in an interview I read, “Life is change, growth is optional, chose wisely.”
Thanks for the post. I am in a time of big change in my life, so I have the opportunity for practice.
I guess realistically everyone on the face of the earth could say the same.
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Something my kids hear me say at critical times: “If you know better, do better!” I’ve appreciated your posts over the past week – they’ve given a lot of sound points for me to evaluate the reality of what I’m giving and receiving in my life, and today’s post is a good wake up call that if I’m not willing to jump to make the changes where it is evident to do so then I should probably go back to bed and put the pillow over my head. That is what my teenagers might tend to default to at this stage of their lives, but not the example I intend to set for them. Good to see these things and make the course correction.
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“The only thing that we have to fear is fear itself” is so true and perhaps more evident today what with all of the changes that are seemingly forced upon us due to the difficult economic situations that we face. It is likely that all business owners much less individuals are thinking “how can I have better cash flow or make more money” – what changes can I or do I need to make today? Perhaps one change that we could all make starting today, especially if we face the tough economic times dilemma, is to make the change to focus on Value or what we can offer as opposed to how can I make more money or what’s in it for me. It is proven time and time again over history that when one focuses on offering more value than one ultimately receives more.
My suggestion is to ‘voluntarily’ make the changes today that will focus on offering more value to all who are in your world.
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