Change. I hope this word doesn’t scare you, but rather, inspires you. Herbert Spencer said, “A living thing is distinguished from a dead thing by the multiplicity of the changes at any moment taking place in it.” Change is an evidence of life. It is impossible to grow without change. Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. The truth is, life is always at some turning point.
What people want is progress, if they can have it without change. Impossible! You must change and recognize that change is your greatest ally. The person who never changes his opinion, never corrects his mistakes. The fact is, the road to success is always under construction.
Yesterday’s formula for success is often tomorrow’s recipe for failure. Consider what Thomas Watson, the founder of the IBM Corporation, said, “There is a world market for about 5 computers.” Where would IBM be today is Mr. Watson had not been willing to change?
You cannot become what you are destined to be by remaining what you are. John Patterson said, “Only fools and dead men don’t change their minds. Fools won’t. Dead men can’t.” If you don’t respect the need for change consider this: How many things have you seen that have changed just in the past year? When you change yourself, opportunities will change. The same kind of thinking that has brought you to where you are, will not necessarily get you to where you want to go. Sante Boeve discovered this truth: “There are people whose watch stops at a certain hour and who remain permanently at that age.”
Do not fear change, for it is an unchangeable law of progress. The man who uses yesterday’s methods in today’s world won’t be in business tomorrow. A traditionalist is simply a person whose mind is always open to new ideas, provided they are the same old ones. “There are people who not only strive to remain static themselves, but strive to keep everything else so…their position is almost laughably hopeless” (Odell Shepard).
Mignon McLaughlin said, “It’s the most unhappy people who most fear change.” When patterns and tradition are broken, new opportunities come together. Defending your faults and errors only probes that you have no intention of quitting them. All progress is due to those who were not satisfied to let well enough alone. They weren’t afraid to change. Change is not your enemy—it is your friend.
Excerpt permission granted by Insight Publishing
John Mason is an international bestselling author, minister, publisher, executive author coach, and noted speaker. He’s the founder and president of Insight International and Insight Publishing Group. Both organizations are dedicated to helping people reach their dreams and fulfill their God-given destinies.
He has authored thirty-two books including An Enemy Called Average, You’re Born An Original—Don’t Die A Copy, Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop, and Know Your Limits Then Ignore Them which have sold over 2 million copies and are translated into 40 different languages throughout the world. His books are widely regarded as a source of godly wisdom, scriptural motivation, and practical principles. His writings have been published twice in Reader’s Digest along with numerous other national and international publications. Seven of his books have reached number one on Amazon bestseller lists.
He’s been the president of two Christian publishing companies. He’s also a former Vice President and Publisher for Thomas Nelson Publishers (Harper Collins), the 6th largest book publisher in the world and largest Christian publisher.
He’s an internationally recognized executive author coach, helping numerous prominent authors with their books for more than thirty years. Politicians, NBA, NFL, PGA, MLB, an Olympic gold medalist and other professional athletes, billionaires, businesspeople, pastors, ministers, New York Times bestselling authors, a Fortune 500 CEO, Navy SEALs, Top Gun pilots, and a Texas governor have all benefitted from his knowledge.
Known for his quick wit, powerful thoughts, and insightful ideas, he is a popular speaker across the US and around the world.