Are we still doing the same things today as yesterday?
Are we better today than we were yesterday?
Do we need to break the mold and try to do things differently?
The difference between today and tomorrow is us. Each one of us is a leader. Many believe it is a title that defines you as a leader, but it is in our abilities to determine success, failure, happiness, motivation, and inspiration. We all work together collectively to impact the growth and prosperity we want to achieve.
The approaches we used yesterday worked to maintain an average level and, at times, below the levels of what was needed to be mediocre. Today, we are looking to find solutions for exceptional or excellent. However, we are using the same ideas, skills, systems, and strategies for mediocrity to achieve superior performance.
My professional experience is in education, but the theory of applying these thoughts apply to all systems. It is the thought process of accepting change, realizing letting go of “scared” ways may be the right thing to do, and understanding you do not have to wait for someone else to try it first.
Change is prevalent. We have experienced change at a rapid pace in the last few years. Take a moment and think about the changes that have happened in your life in just the past year. The pressure of change impacts us daily.
Changes do not have to remain
The critical part of change is that it does not have to remain. Some accept the change as it comes and does not examine it to modify it to match the core values and belief system. Change is a continuous process, but not one we have to accept completely. We can examine change to adapt, modify, dismiss, and accept completely. However, it should be done with a complete understanding and thoughtfulness to the why of the change and its effects.
I will provide an example in real-life terms I have just experienced. The doctor orders lab work. My blood reveals some alarming elevations in certain areas. This is a significant change. The question is now, “What do we change in the medications which are preventing cancer, preventing neurological issues due to TBI, and preventing other health issues.” It is a chain reaction regarding the change. Changing one thing may cause A while changing another could cause B or C. Examining all of the choices in transition and looking at the big picture helps move forward with decisions based on change. It is not a group thinking choice but an individual decision based on thoughts generated by core values and beliefs. It could not be medication at all. The choice in change will be based on all the information provided and what we believe is the best decision.
When you are looking to apply a change to your organization, company, family, or self, consider these thoughts:
- “Everything that’s worthwhile in life comes to us free—our minds, our souls, our bodies, our hopes, our dreams, our intelligence, our love of family and friends and country. All of these priceless possessions are free.”—Earl Nightingale. Do all you can to protect the priceless gifts which are not replaceable.
- “The choice for change is yours to make, and one choice is all it takes to change your life.”—Brenda Yoho. Everyone is born with the gift of choice, change, and power. It is in how we choose to make our choices that change our lives and the lives of others, and the power we have to know when it is right and wrong.
- Take time to re-charge your battery in order to charge the human batteries of life for those you serve. When we talk about change fear is the first emotion to rise to the top. Change means something new, different, unknown and uncomfortable. Charge up the energy to let others know together we can explore what the change is first and what it will do to help our mission and vision.
- “To keep a lamp burning, we must keep putting oil in it.”—Mother Teresa. We are to be the light to show the way. If our light is only a flicker, a few may see, but not many. Keep refueling yourself to be the bright light to guide others through changes. It is in helping others see through many different lenses to see the entire picture to make the right changes.
Break the Mold
Remaining the same is not the right choice. Some changes are always needed to improve. Even those at the top are looking daily for improvements. Break the mold and innovate, create and install in all the abilities to take some risks to discover new ideas.
You are on the verge of a discovery, innovation, or creation.