Meeting Change with Resilience

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From NetSpeed Leader Volume 26, 4/7/2006

This issue’s theme is “Change” and there is lots of that going on in our culture. I'm Marla Mason, Client Services Manager, and here at NetSpeed Leadership, change is the name of our game. In the presence of a twenty-something a few weeks ago I pulled out the PDA I bought a year and a half ago. “Wow!” she exclaimed. “That’s an old one!” If that’s old, I’m ready for the historical museum, but it illustrates my point: the swiftness with which technology is changing is almost mind-boggling for those of us who grew up in slower times. The point of Meeting Change with Resilience, however, is to use change, and the accelerating pace of change, to our advantage.

Just last week I moved to a new home. It’s been 10 years since my last move and I had forgotten what a fundamental change moving can be. Literally every routine I have has shifted: from the route I take to work to the location of my toothbrush; the face on my newspaper carrier to my monthly budget— everything was different effective April 1st.

And this is great news. I had unknowingly fallen into some patterns that don’t necessarily serve me, personally or professionally. For example, I had no idea how much money I’ve been spending on lattes until I had to create a new budget to accommodate a new mortgage payment. With the help of a CPA, I took this opportunity to review my tax situation and make some financially rewarding changes there, too. I’ve committed a portion of my new and longer commute to a professional development audio learning series, and—out of respect for Seattle traffic—slightly shifted my work hours.

I’ve met this change with resilience, using it as an opportunity to re-evaluate some important aspects of my life and make some shifts that will lead to greater personal and professional satisfaction. But you don’t have to move to reap the benefits. Shake it up a little: take a different route to work or rearrange your desk or make time for that networking event you’ve been meaning to get to for months. Even small changes like these can create opportunities to see things differently, fostering the kinds of creativity and productivity that result in long term benefits.