It stood there all alone by the side – tall and strong. It’s branches spreading out to embrace every whiff of breeze in the hot summer days.
It’s rapidly diminishing canopy trying hard to provide the shade and shelter to its feathered residents. It’s dried, withered leaves looked more like the salt and pepper hair of a wizened old man.
Then wafted in the winds of change. The pregnant clouds entered with the pomp and glory of the royal entourage.
The roaring thunder and blazing lightning announced their arrival to the parched souls. The petrichor fill the air. It swayed to the new tunes as thick drops of water trickled down its branches, tickling it to life.
The leaves looked like they had stepped out of the salon, all done and spruced and fresh, showing off the rich range of the shades of green.
First rains of the season and the weary world transformed into a young life.
That’s change. Change is good. Need not be dramatic but even small changes can leave everlasting impressions.
Change can be gentle powerful and transformative, all at once. And nature offers the most vivid lessons.
Every positive change in your life begins with a clear, unequivocal decision that you are going to either do something or stop doing something.
Be like the tree. Rooted and steady and strong. But ready to welcome the changes, adapt to it, and make the best of it.
The Danger of a Rigid Mindset
Change is a part of life. It maintains the flow of energy. It’s not about the superficial; it’s something more deep.
Change happens when you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone.
Yes, that’s the one big step most hesitate to take. It’s scary, intimidating, trying to accept a new way when you’re not sure of the consequences.
You stick to the same routine day after day, so much that it becomes a part of your identity.
You know the next step, you’re familiar with the outcomes. The routine fit you like the comfy pyjamas you’ve worn thin. Yet you don’t want to change, neither the pyjamas nor the routine.
Many are stuck in the same job for this same reason. Comfort. Fear of the unknown. Afraid to rock the boat. They would rather float down the river with the currents guiding them than try landing on a new shore.
When you hear about generations clashing, it’s this. The older generations are stuck to their thinking, their ideas and beliefs. They’re not receptive to the shifts in the society.
A teacher I knew insisted on sticking to chalkboards in the age of digital tools. Her students drifted away, bored and disconnected.
This refusal to adapt and adopt the ideas dominating the current milieu, leaves them struggling to come to terms with the changes in the society. They feel marginalised and abandoned.
The rigid mindset, this stubbornness to adhere to the old ways, the inflexibility of the mind can be your undoing too.
A rigid mindset stifles growth. While adaptability fuels it.
Change is the essential ingredient for growth, for progress. Can’t ignore it.
If you are brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new Hello. – Paulo Coelho
Adaptability as a Superpower
What if adaptability, and not intelligence, is the real superpower?
Change is more about adaptability than transformation. It’s about being accepting and receptive.
Once you decide to adopt and adapt, it’s a powerful signal to your mind. Adaptability becomes your active strength.
You’re no longer willing to passively accept change. This mindset change sets the wheels rolling for growth.
It’s like breaking free. It enables you to process your ideas, your perspectives, with refreshed vigour and purpose.
It infuses you with unsullied strength and resilience, helps you with problem solving.
When you’re open to new ideas, you no longer fear failure. You no longer restrict yourself to the oft beaten path.
You’re willing to explore and experiment, fully aware that success is not guaranteed every time.
When you’re exposed to new thoughts, your mind gets stimulated. It craves action. It seeks new knowledge, new ideas.
It fosters curiosity that sets you on the path of life long growth.
Like a tree with strong roots, your flexibility, the graceful ability to sway to the wind, keeps you from breaking.
How to Stay Rooted Without Being Stuck
But before you leap into embracing changes, keep in mind that change doesn’t mean discarding the old and adopting the new.
Remember the tree? It’s about being grounded, being rooted.
Your values, beliefs, ideas are an integral part of you. You can’t discard those. What you can do is modify them, alter them to remain relevant.
When a child questioned a tradition during a class discussion, my first reaction was defensive. But pausing to reflect made me realise that I was reacting from habit, not understanding.
Your open mindedness allows the co-existence of the old and new, albeit with alterations and acceptance.
Your past experiences form the foundation of your identity. They provide the guidance needed to move forward. They assist you to make the correct choices.
You learn from your past and avoid making the same mistakes. It’s about benefiting from the dual strength of stability and change.
The former is made up of your core beliefs, your values, the lessons you’ve learnt on your journey to grow into a better person.
The changes are due to this personal growth which introduces fresh perspective, evolves your thinking, assists you in dealing with the situations.
The secret to your sustainable growth is balancing these two symbiotic aspects.
Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change. – Jim Rohn
Build Flexibility – the Practical Way
Once you’ve understood how to balance stability and change, begin implementing and applying them in your life.
Try the ARC framework
- Adjust your perspectives.
Don’t look at setbacks us failures. Make them your redirection, learn from the mistakes.
Time to rethink the process. Review your failed project and ask yourself what new skill or insight have you gained through that experience.
- Remain curious.
Keep your mind stimulated. Read something new (not the reports and memos on your desk).
Talk to someone different to get fresh insight, and perspectives, and ideas.
Try a new approach. Get creative with how to deal with the situation. It’ll inspire and infuse new life into the process.
- Cut perfectionism loose.
Perfectionism is a myth. What’s perfect to you may not be perfect for someone else. It’s the high standard you’ve set for yourself.
Your need for perfectionism will restrict you from experimenting, from trying different alternatives.
Instead try iteration. It will expose you hitherto un-attempted ways, which can help in your growth.
Conclusion: Growth is a Journey, Not a Fixed Destination
What’s life if there’s no movement, no changes, no surprises?
Remember you’re like the tree – stable, steady, strong and rooted. And you’re growing, spreading out your branches, reaching for the sun, swaying to the changing winds, while embracing new life.
Like that tree, your strength lies not just in your roots, but also in your ability to bend without breaking.
It’s not about changing who you are, but about adapting how you grow.
It’s your choice what you want to learn and integrate into your life.
Growth comes to those who dare to experiment and embrace the new.
The next time you’re tempted to dismiss a new idea, pause and ask: what if this is the upgrade you need?
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