Changing ourselves is where all starts

Change is a phenomenon that occurs between two moments of balance. A change means starting anew because whenever it happens, an entity, person, or being will transform into something new. This is why the decision to change is so challenging; something will cease to exist, and something new will emerge. The first question that arises is whether we really need to change. In this text, we start with the hypothesis of a crisis, and every crisis demands change. At the same time, we also discuss permanent crises, precisely because the world is in constant flux. In other words, change is inevitable, and we all need to either change or adapt to external changes.

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Sometimes, change is a choice we must be prepared to make. Even deciding against change can result in a new perspective that ultimately changes us. Let's consider a personal example.

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Distance helps gain perspective and clarity; it allows us to better understand situations that seem complex up close. At the beginning of the century, after I left Citibank, I decided to explore the possibility of buying a business in the United States. In other words, I chose the path of change. I contacted two business brokers in the U.S., one in Florida and the other in North Carolina—two states that attracted me and where I had valuable contacts.

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After a process of visits (all in person, as nothing was digital back then) and evaluating options, I made two purchase offers. One was for a leveraged buyout of a Holiday Inn hotel, which was ultimately not accepted. The other offer was for a telecommunications business, a bit outdated but with an excellent customer base. The owners were two elderly gentlemen who had decided to retire. The offer was lower than the asking price and included payment terms that made the opportunity accessible to me.

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Upon returning to Buenos Aires, after more than a month of intense negotiations, just when I had lost hope and was starting to consider other investments and businesses in Argentina, I received an email from the business owners accepting our offer. I was stunned; suddenly, an almost unexpected opportunity presented itself, one that would involve significant changes in my life, including serious implications for my family. Although I was excited, for the first time (and as I believe should always be the case), I hesitated. I was no longer so sure about leaving the country. We had returned less than three years ago after several years abroad; my children had changed schools roughly every two years, and a series of personal and family considerations made me reflect and doubt. Was this a selfish decision, seeking an easy way out that might not be the best for my family? On the other hand, I had no other income, and my opportunities in Argentina were still in their early stages.

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That moment of doubt was the ideal time to step back from the situation, reflect, and distance myself from the decision. So, I spoke with a good friend and asked him to join me on a day of introspection and distancing. We went to the south of the country, to a paradisiacal place by Lake Traful, where we camped in an area far from civilization and focused solely on fishing.

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During those days, I barely talked about the issue with my friend. That wasn’t the point. I wasn’t looking for an opinion or logic. The internal struggle was mine, and the decision went far beyond the profitability and potential of the business. Only upon returning to Buenos Aires did I revisit the topic, and my decision became clear and simple; I concluded that it wasn’t a good time to leave the country, despite the ongoing crisis. Or perhaps, precisely because of the crisis, numerous opportunities were arising, and I felt I owed the country a chance and my family a break.

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Personal ambitions and goals influence our decisions, as they should. What’s important is that these ambitions don’t cloud our judgment when making a decision. They shouldn’t take away our objectivity.

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For more information about making decisions and managing change, visit ahadvisory.net.

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