Avoid the Victim Dictum – Embrace Change in Turbulent Times

In the late nineties, I had become accustomed to a healthy 5 figure monthly income but things began to change. By 2002, my business had dropped over 60% in less than three years. I just held on thinking things would change back to the way things were and I would continue to enjoy the same lifestyle as before. I felt paralyzed and reluctant to change direction.

Thankfully, that experience gave me a jolt and I learned a valuable lesson. I recognized that I needed to diversify my business activities. I remember being inspired and helped by a little book entitled: “Who Moved My Cheese”, an excellent metaphor for change. I highly recommend that you read it.

The last few years have shaken a lot of people to the core. We hear the frightening news about lost jobs, the shaky economy, expensive health care, natural disasters, environmental concerns, and civil unrest — Change is inevitable. We should expect it and even embrace it.

Around 2003, I got involved in some very profitable real estate investments. When the real estate market changed in 2007 with the sub-prime mortgage crash, it hurt. Fortunately, I wasn’t over-leveraged. Having learned from experience, I was diversified and had stored up some financial resources to weather the storm. Even while I was flying high in real estate, in 2006, I was preparing and learning all I could about marketing online — one of the businesses I am involved with right now.

Here are observations of personal experience and lessons learned:

1. Change Happens – Nothing last forever. People, technology, and diverse external circumstance beyond our control will always create the challenge of change.

2. Anticipate change — Get ready and know that change will happen. Expect it. Change is inevitable.

3. Prepare for change — Keep your eyes open – walk circumspectly in your particular industry so you can see the clues of trends and changes. Keep your ear to the ground and your finger on the pulse of what’s happening. Prepare and position yourself by diversifying into other industries that can carry you through or even replace your current business.

4. Don’t procrastinate! Respond to change quickly — The quicker you let go of the old the sooner you can enjoy the adventures of the new. Don’t wait around to make the adjustments necessary to adapt to the changes in your industry. Don’t just hope it will all get better. Make it happen.

6. Focus on your future: Don’t focus on the “good old days and memories of the past. Cherish your memories but focus on your future. Use your experience to cultivate your pioneering spirit; the same mindset and belief system that made you successful in the first place.

5. Make the change — Just do it, do it now. Don’t wait until you are mentally incapacitated, living in regret and bitter about “what happened.” We can “regret” not having seen the signs and making the changes quicker. Rather than live in bitterness and regret we must change ourselves and our attitude in the midst of circumstances.

7. Enjoy and “embrace” Change –Savor the adventure and enjoy the process. Embrace and love the process of change and the personal growth that comes with it.

8. Don’t become complacent in your success. Expect that change will happen again and again. Be prepared for it by storing up during the prosperous times. Anticipate and always be ready to change quickly.

Sure life can deal you with some unfair circumstances. We can choose to adopt a bitter resentful attitude and proclaim our victim dictum — Hey, look what they have done to me!

Or … We can take action and choose life and hope for the future. My favorite line in the movie Shaw Shank Redemption is: “Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying.” I agree!