How do you approach change?

Everyone says that change is inevitable and you need to embrace change. They say, sometimes it's more about accepting the need to change versus embracing change. But either way --- it's easier said than done.

I live in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities. Wayzata --- what many describe as an idyllic small town. My wife Sue and I have been married nearly 30 years and have lived here more than twenty years.

• We've raised our three kids here (all in their 20's now and moved away from home). This is the only place they know as home.
•  We've gone through kindergarten, elementary school, middle school and high school and college three times.
• We've been very involved in our church and community.
• For me, this is our Cheers --- And I see myself as Norm (without all the beers).

  Its home --- but wasn't working for us anymore:

We're empty nesters with a 62 year old, 4,000 square foot house and over an acre of lawn that requires constant maintenance and upkeep.

But in reality I wasn't sure I wanted to change even though I wasn't nearly as satisfied as I used to be --- better the devil you know than the devil you don't. Plus, the housing market sucked.

Well guess what? After four years of being halfheartedly on the market, we sold the house and have to find a new place in eight weeks --- in winter --- during the Holidays --- in Minnesota! Now we have to change versus being able to choose to change --- working on somebody else's timetable versus one of our own making. It doesn't feel good.

Admittedly, everything we did wasn't a mistake. But, what have I learned? And, how should I approach change moving forward?

1. On a personal level - I hate change.
2. Change is inevitable. It's uncomfortable and emotional. You don't have to love it, but you can't hate it. 
3. Avoiding change or waiting until change is thrust upon you produces a whole new set of problems --- often, worse than the ones that you had. 
4. You can't control things, but you can influence them. Better on your timetable than someone else's. 
5. You can't wait for the perfect conditions before you change --- they don't exist and never will. 
6. Half-hearted change or change without a plan can be worse than no change at all. 
7. You have to have a well thought out plan. Recognize it too will change. But without one, you're simply reacting. 
8. Being smart in business doesn't make you smart in life (or visa-versa).

I have to close now --- my wife and I have to go meet with a realtor and look at some homes for sale --- God, I hate this. I'm getting too old to keep saying --- next time, I'll do it better.

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