|
 Several years ago, I had a client who I still remember fondly to this day. While when I met him, he had come off a stint working as the Media Director for a public television station, at heart he was an entrepreneur and initiator of new
ideas. One thing he said to me during one of our sessions that stuck to me to this day, is the following. When a major idea comes along there are the individuals that hatch and create the idea. They are a small one to two percent of the population. Then come the early adopters, that group was about another 10 to 12 percent of the population, meaning the new idea was actively used by that group of people. As time went on, more and more individuals got on board
with the idea. And, then, it was rare any idea that 100% of the population was on board with it, so that there always was a percentage of people who may never adapt the idea, or will only do so, if given no other choice.
As I analyze myself, I know that I am not an entrepreneur or new adopter. With some items, frankly, I’m closer to the end of people who may never adapt the idea, or will do so unless having no other choice. For example, looking for the person who still pays the majority of his bills via US mail. Go no further to find him. Looking for the person who actually goes to the bank to make a deposit, and go in and say hello to the teller. You will find him in the same
person. Does that mean, I’ll never pay a bill online? No, and little by little I wind up doing so. Often that will happen when I’m in fear that my mailed bill will not make it for payment on time, or that it was mishandled by the postal system. Or, if I need to use the automatic teller to withdraw money or make a deposit, I will do so. (NOTE: I still don’t use the telephone to deposit money. Heck, it was not until one year ago, I even had the type of phone to support the
feature).
And, yet, while I have had those who have questioned the way I may do things, and even say, I couldn’t do things the way you do things anymore, frankly I don’t care. Will I avoid anything that is new and say not around 15 or 20 years ago? No! I actually, was trained as a computer programmer over 40 years ago. As such, I actually am good at navigating myself around the internet. I can usually research and find the answer to any topic or question
that comes up in my life quickly. I’ve found that platforms like YouTube for example, while filled with a lot of different new content, is often the place I may find some of my precious memories such as old television show clips, or performers I enjoyed growing up. I have also learned too, that I can even find clips of things my parents or aunts and uncles spoke about that I had never seen before, but through the benefits of modern technology are now only a few clicks away for
me.
Being able to tap into my memories I find not only energizes me, but allow me to share what is part of my make-up with others who were not part of my life at that time. Just a week ago, I was able to view a VCR tape of when I was between the ages of 5 to 7 years old with my spouse. In the video, my spouse got to see not only myself at a young age, but my sisters and my mother, (all whom she knows), but also my father, whom she never had the privilege of meeting. In
addition, she got to see other extended family members, (some whom she knows today, many whom she has just heard of), and also the events that were a regular part of my life at that young age. For me seeing those old movies, brought to life, it just reinforced where many of the values that I live by and enjoy come from and how they are very much a part of how I live my life today.
As I said in the opening part of this month’s newsletter, perhaps it is painful for you to reflect on your past. And, I realize moving on may just be best for you. However, if you are one struggling with the world of today, and not sure how to manage it, perhaps there are roots in your past that help give you the strength to move forward. Look to find what they may be. See how you can perhaps make them a part of your life. And, do your best to incorporate
both the good aspects of your past, and the strengths in your life today, to move into the future as strongly as you can.
|
