I wake up in the morning, the start of a new day. Unknown to me, at some time during the night, the day has changed. I have adapted to this change subconsciously – I knew this change was going to happen. Monday would turn into Tuesday and I at some level in my mind, I have accounted for my approach to this day. However, certain tasks during my day undergo a change. I find that there is no electricity in the morning – I will not have hot water for a bath. Oops! I have to change my system to brace for the cold water on a chilly morning in Bengaluru.
Leaving for work later, I find that the road near a traffic signal has been dug up for repairs. I have to change my route again to be able to reach the office. I have adapted to these little differences in my daily routine, sure. How could I adopt to bigger changes happening around me all the time? There are changes in the government. I don’t feel the effect of that change immediately, but surely, at some point in the future, maybe in a few months, years perhaps? My mind changes thoughts faster than I can speak them. I can not control my mind no more than I can control the Stock markets or the result of an India v/s Australia cricket match! So what is the big deal about this change anyway?
The longer I am ensconced in my daily routines, the harder it is for me to adapt to a new situation. It is no surprise to me that the Indian Under-17 cricket teams consistently do well, beating more established processes and systems in place in other countries. Adapting to a situation at hand comes naturally to people who are brought up in an environment where one is never sure about the availability of water and electricity at best. Throw in food scarcity to that mix and of course, handling a situation at the cricket ground in a sport is so much easier. Afghanistan has qualified for a major cricket tournament. Afghanistan! Has there been a more war torn country in the past 30 years in this world? The people there have adapted so well to changes around them that the challenges that a changed location that a cricket match is taking place in has little effect on their psyche.
Change management is a topic in most Management courses around the world. Give me a person who have been through a war torn country, fled and emigrated to more peaceful nations and I will give you a man who will tackle any change head on. Fearing change is to belittle oneself. Surely, there is no way to predict the future, why then do we fear the unknown? The world is unknown – step out with the head held high – change is only for those who perceive it that way.
Mithun's Musings 