Rule 5: Make Change Your Ally
Scott Engler
Executive Search - Interim and Fractional CXOs - PE Executive Accelerators
"Change is the law of life. " ~ John F. Kennedy
I don't want to burst your bubble, but most of the things you value at this moment will change dramatically at some point.
I understand that that's a depressing thought for those who hope to hold on to and squeeze every last bit of happiness out of things in their lives right now, but it's an empowering thought for those who realize that growth is necessary for continued happiness.
"We can't become what we need to be by remaining what we are." - Oprah Winfrey
No matter how much you might try to hold on, life and all of those in our lives will continuously change. Since this is an immutable (irony alert) point, there's no choice but to partner with change and manage change to mold our moments in the direction we wish. If not, it's going to happen anyway, so...
"Comfort and safety are false gods; life is about change, risk and growth."
Notice people who often have a genuine smile, they seem to find joy in what others would think are problems; an internal compass that directs them over bumps and through curves. When you talk to people who have this quality you find that they don’t get stuck on one form or view of happiness. They're very good at surfing life.
Somehow they learned that happiness has many, many faces, that there are many joys they haven't experienced yet and, for them, they're cool with that.
The bottom line is that change is coming and the more you embrace change and understand the magic inherent in the concept of change, the more fulfilled you will be.
Experience the happiness of today with all of your heart and soul. But have the courage and grace to let go of it when the time is right and seek out and embrace the happiness of tomorrow (a friend suggested a title change.)
The Ten Rules
Rule 1 | Rule 2| Rule 3| Rule 4 | Rule 5 | Rule 6| Rule 7| Rule 8| Rule 9| Rule 10
10 years ago I finished a small book (14,000 words small) The Ten Secrets: A Father's Last Gift where I tried to distill collected wisdom from multiple sources into a parable of 10 secrets or rules.