Something Taken, or Something Added?

"We don't have to be afraid of change. We don't have to worry about what's been taken away. Just look to see what's been added."
- Jackie Greer

It seems all too often that heated debates are focussed too much on the downfalls of another's ideas. With any change, there is likely to be pros and cons, but focussing on the cons that the change brings, will only make it harder to adapt to a change that is inevitably going to happen. A political race, such as the one we just had, is an example of oppositions focussing on what's being taken away to help make their own case. I saw more commercials pointing out the negative and playing on the fears of the voters, than I saw the positives of what each candidate was bringing to the table. I know this isn't news, but rather it's a way to point out that society often tries to play on our fears of what's being taken away.

The business world is a great place to put this concept to the test. Next time you're confronted with a challenge, or resistant to a change, think about the positives that may come out of it, or what's being "added." Taking a little from the "silver lining" concept, try to understand why the change is being put in place and what you can gain from it, not what you're losing. Businesses today are making more changes than ever in order to navigate through the stormy financial climate and trying to make it out on the other end. With this, job responsibilities are changing and corporate culture is shifting so employees need to decide what they can gain from the changes, rather than what they're losing. Ultimately one may decide that the position or company is no longer a fit for them, but focussing on what they're losing would undoubtedly make that a reality sooner than later.

I'm a pretty optimistic person, so focussing on what's added in my life is a rather easy thing for me. Things are changing all the time - from living arrangements, life events such as marriage and children, work, etc. There's never a shortage of new challenges. Looking to see what's gained by these challenges is the only way for me to embrace and conquer them. There are some changes in life that can be avoided by simply saying yes or no, although others can prove to be much more stubborn and inevitable. Learning to identify which is which can be the real challenge, but what can you gain from it?

During the holiday season, many give thanks for the positives in their lives, but not many reflect on what got them what they're thankful for in the first place. Take the opportunity while giving thanks to credit the changes that happened in your life that made those things possible.