When Change is Inevitable

Author John Maxwell says, “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” He means that we have two choices in life: embrace change and discover new potential, or avoid change and risk stagnation.

An example of the latter is the film company Kodak, once synonymous with photography. For nearly 100 years, the Eastman Kodak Company was the largest film and camera manufacturer in the world. It dominated the industry so completely that memorable snapshots were once referred to as “Kodak moments.”

But change is inevitable.

For Kodak, a fork in the road came in 1975 when one of its own engineers invented the world’s first digital camera. Today, digital technology dominates, but Kodak leadership at the time resisted it because 90% of the company’s sales were related to film. In short, the market for film cameras in the United State belonged to Kodak. In just a few decades, technology flipped and Kodak was forced into bankruptcy.

“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” Adapting to change is key to success. We can’t control when or how change will come, but we can choose how we respond to it. Resisting too strongly may hinder our personal or professional growth, which leaves us further and further behind in a world that’s relentlessly marching forward.

The wisest way to handle change in your marriage, your parenting, or your career is to expect it. Stay committed to your goals but flexible in your approach.