Don’t delay change at work because your status quo may be worse than you think. However, we often hold off on doing something new and enriching because it may involve some pain or uncertainty.
That’s where many get caught in indecision and end up not making any changes. There is a price for staying where you are, when it comes to your performance and productivity. The time lost starts to add up like compound interest.
A few years ago, I fell into this trap. Over time, I noticed my reading vision was deteriorating. On some days, reading a business card became challenging.
The vision change is a concern, as I read a lot and spend a lot of time on my computer. And while I can make font sizes larger on the computer, it’s not a perfect solution.
I spent a lot of time thinking and worrying about this problem, leading up to my annual eye exam. I already wear contact lenses for distance vision and that prescription is perfect. I didn’t want anything to affect that correction and the idea of bifocal contacts made me nervous.
I also found myself stuck when thinking about having a new pair of reading glasses to keep track of and how it can be hard for me to pick the right frames.
All these little things became a feedback loop that kept me from addressing my problem. During this time, my vision didn’t get any better and may have gotten worse. And I started using little tricks to avoid reading fine print.
During this time, delaying a solution to the problem kept me from being able to work at my full capacity.
After a visit to my eye doctor, it was an easy choice to get some reading glasses, as I could see how much they improved my vision.
While your challenge may be industry specific, the problems with inaction are universal. When it comes to your nagging or serious issues, don’t delay change at work. Here are some reasons why it’s time to shake things up:
Trust the Professional
I spent a lot of time and energy agonizing over potential problems my eye doctor addressed in a matter of minutes.
Bifocal contacts were immediately rejected by her for reasons that made sense to me. The reading glasses she proposed would easily address my challenge as well as help with problems I hadn’t thought about, like the glare from a computer monitor.
On the job, when faced with a challenge, seek out people who specialize in solutions. Their expertise may suggest an easier path than you thought.
You’re not obligated to act on every suggestion but at a minimum, you’ll be more informed.
Accept Help
Understand that professional expertise in one area does not extend to every field. Having success and a position of importance in your organization does not make you all knowing.
Even the best athletes have coaches to make them better. Accepting help, with a challenging situation or the need to improve, is not a sign of weakness.
What You’ll Say Later
After you make the change, you’ll likely say, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” because the decision to move forward leads to such an obvious improvement.
The uncertainty I felt about my vision change and the pain I expected turned out to not be that bad. The biggest adjustment was remembering to carry my reading glasses with me. Later, I bought several pairs, so I could strategically place them in different locations.
When faced with an intimidating change, imagine what life will be like with a successful solution. That vision may provide you the momentum you need to change and allow you to let go of any fear of discomfort.
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