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Let’s Become What We Need To Be
We can’t be afraid to reinvent ourselves.
The Secondhand Inspiration Project begins with a motivational quote and ventures wherever the creative path meanders.
“In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be, by remaining what we are.” — Max De Pree
This quote highlights a simple yet life-altering truth — we cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.
When confronted with a significant change in our personal and professional lives — whether it’s a new role, responsibility, competitor, routine, technology, etc. — most people initially resist it. Even those who say they’re open-minded and growth-oriented cannot quell that first tendency to oppose the need to pivot.
That early reaction is undoubtedly human. It’s understandable and acceptable. But it’s what we do next that matters.
Change is challenging. And as a professional and a leader, I notice when people claim they are cool with change, they usually only like it if they are the ones leading the charge.
When someone or society suggests or imposes change, that instinctive inclination to resist takes over and often hijacks our common sense. Our actions become less rational, increasingly emotional, and sometimes we rebel just for the sake of rebelling.
But what if we were to accept the various forms of change that get hurled our way in life — not just what we initiate our own?
To improve ourselves, we must adapt and evolve. Remaining static is not a viable option. Personal development requires growth and attempting things that yank us away from what we are accustomed to.
Whatever we want to become, we must accept the alterations that come with it. Often it’s about forsaking things that are currently entrenched in our lives — an old habit, an environment, a comfortable relationship, or the familiarity of a job.
If we remain dedicated to becoming our future selves, our former identities will get left in the past. Recognize we cannot remain unchanged if we want to improve. Instead, we must accept the mindset shifts and revised habits needed to thrive in a transforming world.
We have a choice. We can rethink our outdated strategies, revisit what we think we know, recultivate hope, and reinvent ourselves into the changemakers we desperately want to become.
Adrian S. Potter — the antisocial extrovert — is an author, engineer, consultant, and public speaker. He writes poetry, short fiction, and articles on various subjects, including creativity, leadership, and personal growth. He is the author of the forthcoming book Fractured Epiphanies (Stillhouse Press) & Everything Wrong Feels Right (Portage Press). Visit him at http://adrianspotter.com/.
