You can resist change. However, you can’t avoid change because change is inevitable.
Ben found out the truth of that sentence the hard way. While some people believe that’s the best way to learn, it’s not always recommended. I hope you enjoy Ben’s story.
Ben’s Reluctance to Change
Ben had always been a man of routine. As a child, he thrived on structure and predictability. Ben carried this preference into adulthood. Now, as he approached his late forties, he lived a life meticulously crafted to avoid surprises. Every morning, he woke up at 6:00 AM sharp, had the same breakfast—two eggs and toast—and commuted to his long-standing job at a financial consultancy. His evenings were reserved for a quiet dinner and a book before bed. He found comfort in this routine, believing it to be a cornerstone of his stability and success.
Ben’s aversion to change was rooted in his past life experience. In his teenage years and early twenties, he had been an aspiring musician, filled with dreams of making it big. He’d poured his heart and soul into his band, but after years of struggle, they never achieved the breakthrough they hoped for. When the band dissolved, Ben felt shattered and rejected. The experience left him wary of taking risks, convinced that change only led to disappointment.
One day, Ben’s company announced it was adopting a new digital platform, shifting from traditional consulting to more innovative, technology-driven services. This change required all employees to undergo training in the new system and adapt to a more dynamic work environment. For Ben, this was unsettling. He had always been comfortable with the old ways and saw no reason to deviate from what had worked for years.
Despite the urging of his colleagues and management, Ben, like Nokia, resisted change. He was sceptical of the new technology, dismissing it as a passing trend. He stuck to his old methods, believing that his years of experience were more valuable than learning new tricks. This attitude isolated him from the younger employees, who quickly adapted and thrived, embracing the new opportunities the change presented.
As the months passed, Ben’s resistance to change began to take a toll. His performance reviews reflected his struggle to keep up, and he felt increasingly out of place. The final blow came when his closest colleague, Sarah, decided to leave the company for a tech startup. “You’ve got to evolve, Ben,” she told him gently. “The world is changing, and we can’t afford to be left behind.”
Feeling lost, Ben took some time off. He spent his days reflecting on his life choices, grappling with the fear that had kept him rooted in place. One afternoon, while cleaning out the attic, he stumbled upon an old box of band memorabilia—photos, setlists, and his first guitar. As he dusted off the guitar and strummed a few chords, memories of his youthful passion came flooding back. He realised that while the band’s failure had hurt, it had also been a time of excitement, learning, and growth.
This realisation sparked a shift in Ben. He understood that his avoidance to change stemmed not from the fear of failure but from the fear of the unknown. He had equated change with loss, not considering the potential for growth and new opportunities. Determined to break free from this old-fashioned mindset, Ben decided to embrace the changes at work. He signed up for the digital training, actively participated in workshops, and sought help from younger colleagues, swallowing his pride and opening himself up to learning.
As he immersed himself in the new system, Ben found that his fears were largely unfounded. The technology, though challenging, brought a fresh perspective to his work, allowing him to be more efficient and creative. He even began to enjoy the collaborative environment that the new platform fostered.
Outside of work, Ben started exploring new hobbies, such as cooking exotic dishes and even taking salsa dancing classes. He realised that change, rather than being something to fear, was a natural part of life, bringing new experiences and growth.
In the end, Ben learned that avoiding change only led to stagnation and isolation. By confronting his fears and embracing the unknown, he found a renewed sense of purpose and excitement in life. He discovered that change, while challenging, could also be an opportunity for reinvention and growth. With this new beginner’s mindset, Ben was ready to face whatever the future held.
