Crystallizations
Embracing CHANGE
January 2009
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Greetings!
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Happy New Year! As I write this, I am in Illinois visiting the cutest two year old in the world, my grandson, Moses. (His Mom and Dad are gorgeous, too!) I hope your year is filled with family, friends, and finances.
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Embracing CHANGE
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 "In times of change, learners inherit the Earth, while
the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no
longer exists." - Eric Hoffer
Change. For some, it causes a ripple of
excitement. But for most of us, it's a concept that portends
problems. Sometimes the mere mention of the word can cause immediate
stress.
Reacting to change
Some of us embrace change, any
kind of change, even if things are going perfectly well. Some of us resist change, no matter how
needed it may be. Some sit in the middle and explain that change is all right,
but only when needed. You'll hear
"if it ain't broke, don't fix it" from these folks.
Change isn't usually good or bad. It just is. Our lives are changing
more rapidly than many of us are able to handle comfortably. If you happen to be one of those who have a
natural tendency to move toward change, you probably take the current economic,
political, and social changes in stride. Most of us are simply more comfortable with familiarity, even if what we are used to is not to our advantage.
Your reaction determines your success
How you react to change very often determines your success.
The most successful businesses are those that are able to evaluate the changes
in society and the marketplace and adjust quickly. Your reaction to change may determine your
stress-level and, by extension, your health.
Digging in your heels when things around you are changing, especially
those things over which you have no control, can deplete your energy.
Learning to adjust
If you are naturally resistant to change, how can you learn
to adjust? What can you do to handle
change in a productive way? As with
anything else, the first step is to admit you have a problem. (smile) Because
change is inevitable, being able to adjust to it is a necessity, or as the
quote above explains, you will find yourself ready to succeed in a world that
existed a decade ago - or, at the rate we are changing, even a year ago. Preparation for a world that no longer exists
is not advantageous, is it?
Once you have accepted that change is inevitable and you
have a natural tendency to resist it, there are specific steps you can take to
make change easier to cope with.
Over the last five years, I've used this newsletter to
discuss a number of things - business writing, living your dreams, customer
service, among others. 2009, without a doubt, is going to be a year of change
for all of us. So this year, I'll discuss ways to manage - and even embrace
change. I hope you will join me.
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Visit the Snorting Pug Music Shoppe
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My friend, Denise Gregoire, has been collecting records for ages.
Now she's sharing those vinyl albums (remember those?) and CDs at Craftiques Mall, 6751 Bandera Road, 210-523-0232.
Denise specializes in music from the 1930s-1960s a specialty and includes country, pop, rock and roll, Spanish/Tex Mex, jazz, big band and classical Denise also has some beautiful one-of-a-kind gift
items, including jewelry.
If you are looking for specific items as gifts or to complete your collection, you can email Denise at dmg@d4haley.com or visit her store at Cratiques. You can also visit her website.
Please tell her I sent you.
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Puzzle
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 Last month, Nancy Lewis, from the
Bexar County Sheriff's Office,
knew that December 25 was chosen as the day that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus because it was already a day of celebration for pagans (Sol Invictus and Winter Solstice).
This month, what is the oldest building in San Antonio? What other "oldest" records does this building hold? The first person with the correct answer will win a $25 gift certificate at Nicavid's.
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Crystallizations Training
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Sign up for my Business Writing Training Series, which starts on January 6. I'm offering one two-hour session each month for the next three months for $80. Visit here for more information on this series. Brush up on the basics of business writing
- good grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Learn how to
create effective letters, memos, and e-mail. Discover tips for editing
and proofreading and why you can't count on spell-check to save you. I promise to make it entertaining as well as enlightening. Also in January, I'm offering a two-hour session on Managing Change. Develop the skills
needed to manage change, overcome resistance to change, and create an
effective team response to change in the workplace. Discover ways to
reduce productivity loss during times of change. You will learn steps to create a positive working environment through
personal responsibility and make change work to your benefit. This session is $30 per person and group discounts are available. Join us on Thursday, January 22. All sessions are held at The Greater San Antonio Chamber's Small Business Resource Center,
1100 NW Loop 410 Ste 109, San Antonio, TX 78213
in the H.E.B. Federal Credit Union building, near the corner of Blanco Road and N.W. Loop 410. Call 210-863-2250 or email me at crystal@crystallizations.com to reserve your space at either program. |
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Embrace change in 2009!
Sincerely, CrystalCrystal Darby
Crystal Communications
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