Appreciating change, even when it sucks

I began to write this article with a bit of sadness because the system that I’ve used and enjoyed for the past 4 years is getting retired this week. Since starting this newsletter back in 2011 (when there were 8, count ’em 8! subscribers) I have been writing the content inside the software Backpack from 37Signals.

I’ve known for awhile it’s time to move to a new solution but making the change has been intimidating. After weeks of work with my fabulous team we’re about to make the leap and this article will be the last to live in Backpack.

So it got me thinking about changes. Whether a big change or a little one, it can be intimidating to make a new commitment and say farewell to how things used to be.

Honestly sometimes change just really sucks. You might love working with a team member but they’re moving on. Maybe you’re really involved in your community but are moving to a new city.

Whatever the change might be, you have a choice to embrace and even appreciate it or complain the whole way through.

What’s so good about change anyway?

Some people like predictability and there’s not much I can do to change that preference. But even if you dislike the uncertainty that comes with changes, there are some great things that happen when you’re in a season of change. Namely,

1) New perspectives. It’s really easy to say “I’m going to hate high school!” but if you’ve never been it’s a truly uninformed position. Sorry angsty teens! We’re the same way, thinking that this new thing is horrible, often before we’ve even tried. Changes bring a new perspective to appreciate and, even if you were right about hating it, you’ve experienced something new.

2) Personal growth. One of the reasons that change is scary is that we’re not sure if we can handle it. Even if your current situation isn’t 100% handled at least we know what we’re in for and what we can do well. When changes happen that all becomes uncertain. Am I going to love this new job? What if the replacement software is horrible? Can I handle snow 5 months a year? Addressing these changes gives you the opportunity for personal growth and you just might find that you’re more capable than you ever gave yourself credit.

3) Exposure and experience. It’s a big world that seems to be getting smaller with the power of the internet but for all the social media and documentaries you might participate in, there’s still a gap between reading and experiencing. For example, I loved the book Behind the Beautiful Forevers but that doesn’t mean I understand the complex nature of the class systems and poverty in India. Now, if I were to move to India I would be terrified of all the changes but it would be a new experience – one more richly understand in person rather than by reading. Changes allow us to be exposed to new people, places, ideas and things in a way that can’t be simulated online. And that’s exciting.

Initially I set out to write about how we made the switch from our system in Backpack to the new home for our Business Playbook but I realized that none of that matters if you don’t appreciate the changes in your life. Sure, change might bring more ease, additional clients and income, less expenses and better communication but sometimes change just sucks.

You might not ask for the changes that you’re experiencing in your life and business but you can still appreciate what they bring. What changes are on the horizon for you this summer?