Small change

I was talking with a friend of mine about her elderly parents. They don’t have a computer, won’t use mobile phones, and think that wireless is the something you listen to the Archers on.

Now, this causes a problem for their family. Not only is contacting them difficult, but they live in a remote location. When my friend takes the grand kids to visit he wants to catch up on work, but can’t, as there is no signal. Luckily the local pub has wi-fi, so he sits with a pint and catches up on emails (I think this arrangement has a suspicious whiff about it…).

We were wondering why the old couple were so against computers, and he suggested it was because they have not made the small steps needed to keep up over the years. They have ignored it, and now it all seems completely impenetrable to them.

I liked this concept of small change. In fact, I think there’s a wider application of the idea. You see, I love change. I see change as exciting, I’m always buying new music, going to new places, I’m a very curious person. Others might say I’m restless, can’t focus on one thing at a time, that I leave things unfinished (valid criticisms!).

Other people are very averse to change. They are focussed on making things better, they concentrate on doing a good job, have high standards. And perhaps they struggle to delegate, can be unimaginative and not open to new ideas.

In other words, neither is right or wrong. But the question is – which are you?

As ever in life, the answer lies somewhere between these two extremes.

I am a firm believer that knowing oneself is an important step to happiness (or at least away from unhappiness). If you love change, structure your life to give you variety. Take time off to do that thing you have been wanting to do but haven’t had the time for. Give yourself enough flexibility so that those inflexible areas of your life are bearable, in fact they might even become enjoyable.

If you are one for whom change is a threat, take small steps. Allow change to happen in small pieces. And yes, a financial plan can help reduce the imponderables and make that change seem manageable.

But it’s important not to take no steps at all, because that way you lose touch, things move by. Some of those who like change will be changing things anyway – they can’t help themselves – and you’ll get left behind.

This blog is not about RDR, it’s not about business models, it’s not about you and it’s not about me. But it could be.

Chris has a novel out called A Bridge Of Straw – more info here