This year has been a bit of a crazy time. Crazy. Lots and lots of changes in my personal life. Maybe except for the year I moved to New York, this has been the craziest year for me. It’s been hard. But I just keep doing my best.

And while it may not be pleasant, I welcome it. Why? I had a bunch of reasons, but I think it comes down to two of them:

It Keeps You on Your Toes

I can’t emphasize how important this is. Not just in business, but in life. Keeps your mind sharp. Forces you to change gears. Forces you to look at things from a different perspective. Forces you to solve problems in a way you might not have thought of before.

It not only does change show you new opportunities you didn’t see before, but it can also show you problems that need fixing. Problems you didn’t notice because you were on autopilot. You can only see so much if you’re looking at something from the same angle. All the time.

Creates Growth

I’ve always been self-motivated to be my best at whatever I decide to pursue and encountering difficulties is just part of the game. But moving to New York has by far been the biggest change in my life. I think maybe the only people who have attempted as much change in their lives is my father and mother’s father. My father’s situation is a book waiting to be written. But my grandfather moved his family from Mexico to the United States back in the 1950s. Which, moving to a new country is huge!

So let’s see: I moved across the country to a new, vastly different part of the country. In my 40’s. Not knowing anyone. Chasing a vastly different career. Practically from scratch. Is that enough change?

It Is a Choice

I’ve always been a bit on the optimistic side of things. But living in New York and chasing this dream has really challenged me with that attitude. So, for the last 3 – 4 years, I’ve been working hard at programming myself to be more optimistic. To have bullet-proof positivity. So when shit happens, it doesn’t have to stink.

I remember one instance this year when it hit the fan. I had something to deal with several other people. I was so happy that my positivity kicked in so quickly and naturally. So much so, I could tell the others were amazed that I didn’t get upset. I think they were impressed.

Like positivity, I’m trying to program myself to more welcome change. To not be nervous about it. To know that when it happens, it’s an opening for opportunities to present themselves. A time that can make be a better and stronger person.

And that I embrace wholeheartedly.