Last week we discussed Business Networking and making your dreams reality. This week let us chat about capitalizing on change.
Change is enviable how can you capitalize on it? First let us look at what the definition of change is.
1.to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would beif left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.
2.to transform or convert (usually fol. by into): The witch changed the prince into a toad.
3.to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind: She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.
4.to give and take reciprocally; interchange: to change places with someone.
5.to transfer from one (conveyance) to another: You'll have to change planes in Chicago.
6.to give or get smaller money in exchange for: to change a five-dollar bill.
7.to give or get foreign money in exchange for: to change dollars into francs.
8.to remove and replace the covering or coverings of: to change a bed; to change a baby.
verb (used without object)
9.to become different: Overnight the nation's mood changed.
10.to become altered or modified: Colors change if they are exposed to the sun.
11.to become transformed or converted (usually fol. by into): The toad changed into a prince again.
12.to pass gradually into (usually fol. by to or into): Summer changed to autumn.
13.to make a change or an exchange: If you want to sit next to the window, I'll change with you.
14.to transfer between trains or other conveyances: We can take the local and change to an express at the next stop.
15.to change one's clothes: She changed into jeans.
16.(of the moon) to pass from one phase to another.
17.(of the voice) to become deeper in tone; come to have a lower register: The boy's voice began to change when he was thirteen.
noun
18.the act or fact of changing; fact of being changed.
19.a transformation or modification; alteration: They noticed the change in his facial expression.
20.a variation or deviation: a change in the daily routine.
21.the substitution of one thing for another: We finally made the change to an oil-burning furnace.
22.variety or novelty: Let's try a new restaurant for a change.
23.the passing from one place, state, form, or phase to another: a change of seasons; social change.
24.Jazz. harmonic progression from one tonality to another; modulation.
25.the supplanting of one thing by another.
26.anything that is or may be substituted for another.
27.a fresh set of clothing.
28.money given in exchange for an equivalent of higher denomination.
29.a balance of money that is returned when the sum tendered in payment is larger than the sum due.
30.coins of low denomination.
31.any of the various sequences in which a peal of bells may be rung.
32.Also, 'change. British. exchange (def. 10).
33.Obsolete. changefulness; caprice.
Verb phrase
34.change off,
a.to take turns with another, as at doing a task.
b.to alternate between two tasks or between a task and a rest break.
Change forces you to grow, stretch, create new, see opportunities you would have never seen. Change can be uncomfortable.
Many of us are in a daily rut. That rut becomes fur-lined and forbid it should ever change. When it does change we become panicked, resistant to the new idea or concept.
One thing in life that is a constant is change. Many of us have been forced to take on more tasks because of the changing workforce. Some have to do with less. Some have to learn to do with more. Others have started their own business and change working for someone else.
I met a lady who in her mid forties has now had to take a job after owning her own businesses for years. She said "I have never worked for anyone else other than myself. I am now forced to work for someone else with the decrease in sales and profits." As we chatted she somewhat resented that she made the choice to work for someone else.
As we chatted we talked about what could be learned at her new place of employment and how she could capitalize on working for someone else. We talked and discussed the benefits she now has and how she could make her existing business grow. I could clearly see as we talked about the benefits of the change she was making that she began to embrace the change and capitalize on it.
A couple of weeks later we ran into each other again. The conversation we had was totally different than the conversation we had the few weeks back. She now embraced her new opportunity. I asked her what had changed. She said my attitude. Really, how is that? She replied, I have insurance that saves me a great deal of money, I am able to pay my overhead with ease and do more marketing. If my projections are correct it would be cheaper for me to hire another part-time employee to assist with the work load of my business. I can pay off my business debt in half the time and continue to make it grow. Instead of feeling guilty I am not there everyday I now manage the business from a distance. I have empowered my employees. (She has one full-time and 3 part-time) I am grateful by taking an outside job I do not have to lay off the people whom I have worked with over the past seven years.
It is my way of surviving and growing the business during this tough time. My schedule allows me to negotiate and purchasing for the business. Fall is our busy time and I am already looking at how the business will handle the work load and the growth that we are projected to have. Because I am not taking a salary from the business at this time I am able to keep my loyal employees, create a new fresh marketing plan to grow the business.
I have learned so much talking with fellow employees at my new job and their views and perspective on products they purchase has given me a new view of my business. As we discussed her business and the difficult changes she made in her personal life of moving, taking a position with another business and not being a part of the daily routine at her office she now embraces the change and has changed her attitude of how she handles her business on a daily and weekly basis.
Change of our attitudes sometimes is the only thing that stands in the way of our success. Your attitude of how you handle everyday tasks can make the biggest difference in your world.
Changing your attitude makes your day fly by, makes you happier and others seek you out and want to do business with your because of your attitude. You become more successful.
Many business professionals had to make changes in employment, from under-employed to non-employed and having to take on much more from the job you had. Your attitude is key in handling all of the change. Some have to make changes in the style of living and how they spend money. Many have started a new business. Micro businesses have always been the main stay of America. Hats off to you.
The most empowering change is the change that takes you down a path of the unknown. Sometimes it is scary. The one thing that I have learned is that the most success and memorable parts of my life have always come during a change. I have learned to embrace change.
When I my position was eliminated from a company I spent 15 years at I was devastated. My plan was to retire from there and live happily ever after. I was in my fur lined rut not challenged, somewhat bored not growing, advancing or feeling I was contributing to the world. Looking back at it today I now can say - I was given the opportunity to do what I always wanted.
Embrace change and you will capitalize on it. It does matter what the change is - whether it is personal, business, attitude or life changing all changes will make you grow and see more opportunities.
