….Why People Are Afraid of Change
1. In general, people like the status quo. We’re creatures of habit. Even though it can be routine, boring and non-descript, most people like to know what to expect at all times. The idea of something being different from the “usual” can be disconcerting.
2. Change can be a scary proposition. It feels leaving your comfort zone and the things you know and perhaps love. It means starting all over again - be it a new school, new job, new friends, new place to live, etc. That’s a difficult proposition for many people.
3. Even though change is usually good, people get upset when they are forced to change. Look at the disappointment, panic and madness when a person is laid off from their job. After the dust settles, they are usually better because being forced to change often means doing things that you wouldn’t have done otherwise. And usually, it involves a step in a good, positive direction.
4. Change involves work. It’s not easy, and it takes time, energy and effort. This explains why most people loathe change.
More: For a nice diatribe on how often U.S. politicians are using the world change, check out Jeff Jarvis. Amid Jarvis’ rant is this succinct paragraph: “And the truth is that we don’t really like change all that much. Corporations, universities, governments, and marriages are built around avoiding change. We fear change.” If you’ve got David Bowie’s “Changes” stuck in your head now, here are the lyrics.
