"有些人不喜欢改变，但如果替代方案是灾难，你需要拥抱改变。"

Change can be a tough pill to swallow. But imagine a scenario where sticking to the status quo could spell disaster. The core idea here is that while change can be uncomfortable—sometimes downright terrifying—it's often necessary to avoid worse consequences. It's about recognizing that the discomfort of change is a small price to pay for the benefits it can bring.

Let’s jump back for a second to the late 90s. Remember Kodak? They were a giant in the photography industry, practically synonymous with cameras. But they resisted the shift to digital photography, clinging to their film-based products. This reluctance to embrace change, despite seeing digital on the horizon, led to their downfall. By the time they tried to catch up, it was too late. Their fear of changing their business model resulted in a disaster—a missed opportunity that other companies capitalized on.

Now, think about a more recent example: Blockbuster vs. Netflix. Blockbuster had the chance to buy Netflix for a mere $50 million in the early 2000s but passed on the opportunity. They couldn’t see the potential in streaming and thought their brick-and-mortar stores were invincible. Fast forward a few years, and Netflix is a juggernaut in the entertainment industry, while Blockbuster is a nostalgic memory.

So, how do you take this wisdom and use it in your life? Start by acknowledging when you're resistant to change. Maybe you’re stuck in an unfulfilling job, but the idea of switching careers seems daunting. Instead of focusing on the fear, consider the potential disaster of staying where you are—burnout, unhappiness, or missed opportunities.

A good approach is to break down the change into smaller, manageable steps. Want to switch careers? Start by researching the field you're interested in. Take a night class or an online course. Network with people already in that industry. Each small step makes the change feel less overwhelming and more achievable.

Let me tell you about my friend, Sarah. She worked in marketing but always dreamed of being a teacher. For years, she resisted the change because it meant going back to school, which was scary and expensive. But her job was making her miserable. Finally, after a particularly rough year, she took the plunge and enrolled in night classes to get her teaching certificate. It wasn’t easy—juggling work, school, and life—but now she’s a high school teacher and loves what she does. She often says the discomfort of that transition period was worth it because the alternative was a life of regret and unhappiness.

So, next time you’re faced with a tough decision, think about the bigger picture. Sure, change is hard. But ask yourself this: what’s the alternative? Sometimes, embracing the unknown is the best way to avoid a disaster. And who knows? You might just find that the change you feared brings you closer to where you always wanted to be.