We talk a lot about change, “Change is good” and “I need a
change” or maybe “I just wish he would change.” I even heard a prominent political
figure talk about “hope and change.” But is “change” really the answer?
Change is a natural process requiring no direction or
intention. Change happens whether we like it or not, it’s inevitable. Our world
and lives are in a constant state of flux, we don’t need to seek out change, it
finds us.
If I ignore my wife and neglect to make time for her, our relationship
will change. We will grow apart and become more distant. Intimacy will suffer.
If I don’t pay attention to what I eat, I will change. I will get fatter and feel
sluggish, but hey, at least it’s change!
What we must seek is progress. Progress is directed change.
It requires sacrifice, intentionality and commitment. It demands you have a plan of action and execute deliberately.
Most importantly, it doesn’t happen by accident. Too many are hoping to advance
in life, but they are waiting around, expecting something to just “happen” to
them.
Life is too short to wait around for things to magically get
better, you must “happen” to life. Your circumstance will improve when you improve.
We need to start eliminating “if I just had …” from our vocabulary. “I’m not
happy but if I just had *insert magic fix here* then I’d be content.” It might
be that new job, a raise, a better car, a spouse, a nicer boss, more kids, less
kids, a helicopter, etc. When we seek external changes as the solution to our problems,
we diminish our own responsibility and cripple our power to affect positive
transformation.
Don’t sit around waiting for change. Instead, relentlessly
pursue progress. Make a plan for continual self-improvement. Small, incremental
advances – consistently executed – are the currency of achievement. That is far
superior to a handful of change.
Comments
Post a Comment