Something’s in the air, you can just feel it. Change seems to be poised to take a giant leap forward or accelerate and we’re afraid. People fundamentally know we need to change but fear what it may bring. We like our sense of continuity, our feeling that let’s just keep doing what we’re doing because at least I sort of know what that is.
The word “change” used as a verb is defined as: make (someone or something) different; alter or modify. Our world is changing. Escondido is changing, we are changing.
Can we get out front of change? Are we changing? Or are we reacting? Change by itself can be a stimulator, an opportunity to make something different. Is that better? How do we affect change?
Fundamentally life begins and ends, it changes. Try to think of things that don’t change. We’re hard pressed to think of many things that don’t change.
Perhaps change is too harsh as it conjures up abruptness: I decided to switch lanes at the last minute to make that exit, I made a lane change. I also upset a large group of drivers I just cut off by my lane-change. Not good.
If we know we have a problem we come up with ideas to solve the problems. We study the problem and find what we believe is a reasonable way to solve the problem. All of this requires change, doing something different.
We want change to improve or solve a problem. This requires a certain amount of risk. Change by itself does not guarantee to solve a problem. In fact, change can lead to a bigger problem. Not everything needs to change but many things do. Maybe a softer word is in order? Transition is one.
Transitioning from one approach to another is still change but infers a way to hold on to a small piece of the past while finding a solution to the problem we agree has to change.
Someone or something has to lead the change we believe has to happen and often this person or organization is vilified. It’s much easier to criticize a plan to change than it is to come up with another plan to solve the problem. And doing nothing different isn’t changing.
The Chamber is changing, evolving, and becoming more than it was because what we were is not meeting the challenge change is creating. Make sense?
Now is the time for you to help. Become a member, get involved with this Chamber. Be part of the change that is creating a sustainable and positive effect on the business community we represent.
Contact the Chamber and we can demonstrate the changes we’ve made and the changes that are coming.
Thank you, JR
