²² Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. ²³ They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

The nature of the world is such that no day is the same, and each morning brings with it promises of renewal. We can start with the weather. It follows trends and patterns over the seasons but compare a calendar day to the same day from previous years and you will rarely find that the weather matches exactly. Because of the cycle of life and death, each day there are lives lost and new lives born. We enter into each day differently than the day before. Based off yesterday’s events, each person enters the new day with fresh learnings, experience, and insight.

In this world, we are surrounded by dynamic variables that make life new and interesting every morning. Therefore, it is no surprise that what worked yesterday may not work the same way today.

Here are some more examples:

An examples from sports… At every game the players arrive with a new level of skill and preparedness. This can rise or fall as measure of excellence over the course of a season. At each practice or game, teams arrive with a different level of chemistry and trust. A team’s ability to work together will be a little different each time they take the field. Coaches can also help teams strategically face other teams after seeing the way these other teams have performed in previous games. I’ve seen a team with the worst record in major league baseball win the world series (Washington Nationals in 2019). I’ve also witnessed a preseason #1 in college basketball miss the NCAA tournament (UNC in 2022-23). The possibility of a comeback is one of the things that makes sports so exciting.

An example from the outdoors… A fisherman, no matter the skill, will never be faced with exactly the same weather or water conditions. Fish migrate around bodies of waters. They swim at various depths. They may be found  different sizes depending on their environment. A good fisherman is not the one that goes to the same spot every time and fishes the exact same way, they are the ones that can envision how the fish may be behaving, try different techniques until one works, and then replicate that success by understanding what worked and consistently applying it.

An example from parenting… Anyone with the responsibility of raising children will tell you that each one is different. From the delivery room to the pace of development and the skills that immerge. One might sleep like an angel and the next might keep you up all night. One might have the heart of a lion and the other a nose for books. A parent, no matter their skill, will be faced with challenges and opportunities over the course of their child’s life. The same approach may not work on each child. What worked for one may not work for the next.

Examples from business. In business, we know the landscape is constantly changing, regardless of industry. What brought a company where they are will not be the same thing that gets them where they need to go next. Shifts in what the customer wants, new products, supply chain, and new technologies must all be evaluated. Traditional industries are not immune from disruption, and a recent example comes from the lumber industry which was disrupted during the pandemic when consumers rushed to complete home projects despite skyrocketing lumber cost. There are many other examples of disruption but the takeaway is: What worked last year will not be the same thing that works in the coming years.

So, what are some new ways to think about the reality of continuous change?

Firstly, we must shift our perspective and view change as a requirement rather than an occasional disruption. By recognizing that change happens in small, incremental ways every day, we can proactively prepare ourselves to navigate the evolving landscape of life and work.

Secondly, embracing change requires discipline. Cultivating a culture of experimentation, where we constantly explore new ideas, methodologies, and technologies, becomes essential to stay ahead of the curve.

Lastly, in our lives we should seek out opportunities to build resilience which prepares us for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. The strongest body is not the one that has taken the most medicine, but rather the one that has built up the strongest internal defenses.

Embracing change, being disciplined, and building resilience are key to thriving in a world where continuous change is the norm.