Seeing that without time, nothing can change. And as time passes, everything changes — nothing ever stays the same.

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In life and business, we often resist change, wishing our present circumstances and future plans would remain constant.

But what if embracing change could lead to greater resilience and success?

Here’s how:

1) Seeing that change is constant

We all know that time cannot be halted.

And so it is that time and change are inseparable — one drives the other.

Without time, nothing can change. And as time passes, everything changes — nothing ever stays the same.

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus expressed this truth over two thousand years ago:

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river, and he’s not the same man.” — Heraclitus (535 BC — 475 BC), Greek philosopher

This idea holds true in our personal lives and professional careers.

Over time, we evolve, as do the situations around us.

If you reflect on who you were 10 years ago, it’s likely that you’ll see how much you’ve changed — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Even on a cellular level, with a few exceptions, the molecules in your body have been replaced.

The world around us is constantly evolving, often beyond our perception. Just like a time-lapse video reveals how glaciers shift or seasons transition, life’s gradual changes can often go unnoticed until we pause to reflect.

However, our minds tend to resist this reality.

We often perceive things as static, a bias called eternalisation.

We cling to the idea that our current situation, health, job, or relationships will remain as they are.

This perception, while comforting, can lead to suffering when things inevitably shift.

Buddhism highlights this concept of impermanence, noting that suffering arises when we resist change:

“‘All conditioned things are impermanent’ — when one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering.”
— The Buddha

Seeing change as constant is the foundation.

But how do we accept change?

2) Embracing change

In the professional world and our personal lives, adaptability is one of the most critical skills.

Understanding that change is constant can help us respond more effectively when market conditions shift, industries evolve, or personal circumstances change.

Instead of resisting or fearing change, we can see it as an opportunity for growth.

Here are a few ways to embrace change and leverage it for personal and professional development:

3) Acknowledge that our perspectives can be deceptive

Our perspectives of ourselves, others and the world are imperfect.

They are based on our own unique life experiences, cognitive biases and a limited set of information.

When we acknowledge this, it helps us to loosen our grip on any belief or mental model that may be anchoring us to how things are now or were in the past.

“All perspectives are wrong, but some are helpful.”
— Zoom-Out Signpost

4) Adopt a growth mindset

See change as a chance to learn, adapt, and grow rather than something to fear.

Everything changes, including ourselves, so see each day as an opportunity to change and grow in a direction we prefer.

5) Reflect regularly

Take time to assess how you, others and the world have evolved over the years.

Use this awareness to guide you into the future.

6) Let go of what you can’t control

Recognise when you’re grasping at something that was always destined to change.

It may have changed in a way you did not expect or desire but ask yourself how much control did you ever really have?

By letting go, you can reduce unnecessary stress and focus on making the most of what that change has opened up.

Changing your mind

The art of embracing change is rooted in our mindset.

What other ways have you found help you embrace change in your personal and professional lives?