DW's Blog

The Only Constant In Life Is Change

by DW Green — September 12, 2018

“When you are through changing, you are through.”

Everything, everywhere is in a constant flux of change. I like this quote from Bruce Barton, author, advertising executive and politician, “When you are through changing, you are through.”

Way back in 1970, I read Future Shock, a great book by Alvin Toffler. Future Shock was about change, and the affect that the accelerated rate of technological and social change had on society. From a historic perspective the speed of change from the beginning of the industrial revolution in the 18^th century to the “super-industrial society” of the 1970’s was mind-boggling and it has only intensified thousands-fold since then.

The supermarket business too has gone through radical changes and its rapid transformation continues. Remember only you can control your reaction to changes in your business. Everyone filters information through his or her personal background, wants, needs, fears, hopes, prejudices and beliefs. The result is often the development of urban “myths” about change. Let’s explore some of those myths—and the reality of business.

Myth: This will go away.
Reality: Change is here to stay.

Myth: It will help if I get upset with this.
Reality: Controlling your emotions increases your control over the situation.

Myth: This is a bad thing for my store(s).
Reality: Progress often masquerades as trouble.

Myth: I can keep running my store(s) as I always have.
Reality: If the world is changing, you probably need to change too.

Myth: All these problems prove that change is bad for my industry.
Reality: Problems are a natural side effect of the change process.

Myth: I’m not in a position to make a difference.
Reality: You’re either part of the solution or part of the problem.

Myth: The changes weren’t really necessary.
Reality: What’s necessary now is to make the changes work.

Since you can’t stop change, try to be an agent for change. Here are some things to consider:

Control you attitude.
Take some ownership of the changes.
Control you attitude
Choose your battles carefully.
Keep your sense of humor.
Don’t let your strengths become weaknesses.
Practice good stress management techniques.
Invent the future instead of trying to redesign the past.
Control you attitude
Accept the past, focus on the future and anticipate.
Consider what’s coming, what needs to happen and how you can rise to the occasion.
Stay loose. Remain flexible. Be light on your feet.
Instead of changing with the times, anticipate the future and change a little ahead of the times.