Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

Changing Rules

Changing Rules

Poor Pluto. Stripped of its planetary status by the International Astronomical Union and reclassified as a "dwarf planet," Pluto's demotion heralds new rules for planet classification. A week of debate by renowned astronomers from seventy-five countries culminated in the decision to reduce the number of planets to eight "classic" ones.

This reclassification got me thinking. Like a company reorganization or leadership change, the rules were altered. And no matter if you were among scientists advocating for more planets or less, it no longer matters. The decision is rendered. Like it. Don't like it. It's done.

Organizational changes can be like that too. Like Pluto, I've spent career years with "classic" designation, status and access only to be "reclassified" with mergers, acquisitions, downsizing and reorganizations. Confident, comfortable and courageous with a current boss, you must reprove, readjust and reorient to a new one with a different style, focus and rules.

It's happened enough in my career-life to collect a few insights along the way. First, the suddenness is unnerving and often painful. Familiar shifts to unfamiliar and second-nature decisions become second-guessed ones. When the rules change it's uncomfortable.

But, you can't go back. You can't change the outcome. What was true yesterday is gone. So, my second lesson learned the hard way is let it go as quickly as possible. Your future depends on it. Third, recognize you're in a growth spurt. That can be painful, challenging or exhilarating. And while it might not be a growth you'd choose, use your talent to reinvent yourself, find your grounding and contribute in new ways.

You see, if change can happen to something as sure as planets, it will likely happen to us. When it does we can dig in, resist and fight, or after taking a deep breath and regrouping, we can find our courage and take a step forward.

That's what people who are winning at working do. They choose the future over the past, personal growth over fossilization, opportunity over defeat, and contribution over consternation. And as difficult as that is at times to do, people who are winning at working work through their disappointments and wounds, assessing their options, inventing their future and finding their wisdom. Like an African proverb reminds us all, "When the music changes, so does the dance."

Want to be winning at working? Learn the new dance.

(c) 2006 Nan S. Russell. All rights reserved.





Changing Rules - To learn more about this author, visit Nan Russell's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback

To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


Nan Russell
(Visit Nan's Website) Nan S. Russell is the author of "Hitting Your Stride: Your Work, Your Way". She is also the host of "Work Matters with Nan Russell" weekly on webtalkradio.net. Nan Russell has spent over 20 years in management, most recently with QVC as Vice President. Sign up to receive Nan's "Winning at Working" tips and insights at http://www.nanrussell.com

Nan Russell is a Platinum author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


Nan Russell's

Complete
List Of
Business-Coach
Articles

Name
Email
If you enjoyed this article, get Nan Russell's Complete List of Business-Coach Articles For FREE!

More Nan Russell
A Better Measure of Success
TwoSided Answers
What Kind of Workplace Future
Progress Trumps Perfection
Changing Rules
FollowMe Leaders
What Are You For
Staying in the Game
Working for the Right Person
TimeOut
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
Dave Kurlan  
John Power  
George Ludwig  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Dismiss a Franchise Icon Dismiss a Franchise
PIPS Power Book Icon PIPS Power Book
Traffic to Site Icon Traffic to Site
Why New Businesses Fail Icon Why New Businesses Fail
The Small Picture Icon The Small Picture
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Top 50 Franchising Blogs
Top 50 Franchising Blogs
Top 50 Franchising Blogs
 
Top 50 Debt Blogs
Top 50 Debt Blogs
Learn To Get Out Of Debt
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Gloria Obire Benin City, Nigeria,
Gloria Obire
Benin City, Nigeria
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Julie Mitchell, $470k to $1.1 Mil in 2 years
Julie Mitchell
$470k to $1.1 Mil in 2 years
Gord Hotchkiss, $113k to $1.5 Mil in 5 years
Gord Hotchkiss
$113k to $1.5 Mil in 5 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Mark Cuban, Broadcast.com
Mark Cuban
Broadcast.com
Tom Monaghan, Domino's Pizza
Tom Monaghan
Domino's Pizza
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Michael Gerber, The E Myth
Michael Gerber
The E Myth
Guy Kawasaki, The Art of the Start
Guy Kawasaki
The Art of the Start
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     10.5 Things You Must Know When Shopping For Health Insurance
By Kris Willy
     3 Health Insurance Misconceptions
By Kris Willy
     Do you spend more on your vehicle than you do on your body?
By Kris Willy

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information