Most of us are reluctant to and do not embrace change – both in our personal and professional lives. Changes are unpredictable, and us human beings tend not to like things that blindside us. We like to plan and prepare and we also like things mainly to stay as they are. The problem is that we are currently living in the midst of an industrial revolution (due to digital developments), and this changes a lot of things around us.

We communicate in new ways, we find information in new ways, we educate ourselves in new ways, we travel in new ways, we find our partners in new ways and we perform our jobs in new ways (or even stop doing the same jobs as robots take over our jobs). Change is everywhere these days, and we really have no other choice than to join the ride – whether we like it or not.

Wouldn´t it make a lot more sense to see these changes as chances to do something new and perhaps even better and more fun, than to resist and see them as threats? Most of us would probably agree, but it is a lot easier said than done.

I therefore thought I´d share three fundamental concepts that I believe are important to open up for change.

OPINIONS Are God (nope, it´s not a typo – I really mean God, not Good)

Don´t come along for the ride passively – become active. You have to care to take charge in a changing world. Contribute in meetings with other people on all levels and have an opinion about things being discussed. Make sure your opinions are constructive. Don´t pull people´s ideas down by criticizing them, but make sure you are + ing – meaning you add on to them. Nobody knows what will happen next in a changing world, therefore there is really no bad idea, it is just different. And different is good.

PROVOCATION Develops Us

People that provoke have historically not been popular in the corporate world. That is no longer the case. Those that provoke us, force us to see things with new eyes. Comedians are experts at doing this, and at the same time also breaking expectations. They force provocation by putting things into new and unusual settings, and that is important in a changing world. Approach provocation with curiosity.

OPPORTUNITIES Arise From Everywhere

Don´t write things off the bat right away, and don´t lean on your pre-conceived notions. Something you thought was waisting your time earlier, might become one of your most important sources for creativity and innovation. Do something you have never done before. Go places you have never been. Expose yourself to new things and new people as much as you can.

There is only one thing that is for certain these days – and that is that we don´t know what will happen next. 

The changes we are experiencing right now can be your chance to do something different or better or perhaps start a whole new thing. One thing is certain – those that embrace change as something that will bring about new and exciting opportunities, are the ones that will succeed tomorrow.

CHANGE = CHANCE.