The Challenge of Change

Change is challenging. Let me rephrase that, “Positive change is challenging.” The world, your world, is going to change often and quickly. You will continually face the challenge of effectively adapting to meet the challenges of changes taking place that affect your business.

As a pastor of churches seeking to take significant steps in effectively navigating the challenges of positive change, I found myself facing two challenges. First, I had to make positive and productive changes in my own thinking and actions. To lead others in making positive changes, I needed to be convinced that the changes were necessary. This required a commitment to personal and professional development for myself. Then, I faced the challenge of convincing others of the needed change and leading them to make the positive changes efficiently and productively. At best, I found change, even positive change, a potentially overwhelming undertaking.

As you navigate the challenges of making positive changes in your business and life, keep these four elements in mind:

 

1.      Keep your vision or dream in focus. A clearly stated vision enables you to navigate the challenges of change effectively and productively. It also keeps your team on the same page.

2.      Consistently evaluate your current reality. Don’t be oblivious to what is happening in the world and your industry that has the potential to significantly impact your business.

3.      Set challenging, yet attainable goals. You and your team need to know where they are headed if they are going to make daily progress.

4.      Develop strategies for moving forward with your professional and personal growth. If you are not consistently becoming better, you may find yourself unable to respond to the challenges of the changes taking place in your industry.

If you do not know where you want to go and lack a strategy to get you there, you will end up going wherever the current of change takes you. Remember, even positive change is challenging.