I’ll Have the Green Eggs and Ham…with a Side of Growth

I bet you were either the kid that would try any type of food OR the one that would pass…on everything, unless of course you didn’t have a choice.  In which case, and with a pursed lip and a furrowed brow; having already determined that said food would be awful – you tried a miniscule bite, choked, gagged and declared, “See, I told you I wouldn’t like it.”  I was the latter kid.  This process, and my reaction, reminds me, to this day, of Daniel’s reaction to Sam-I-am asking the magical question: “Do you like green eggs and ham?” from Dr. Seuss’ masterpiece “Green Eggs and Ham”.

“I do not like green eggs and ham!  I do not like them Sam-I-am” 

Fast forward 10, 20…maybe even 40 years for some of you folks, and ask yourself “am I still that same kid?”  Change is the adult version of green eggs and ham and we all know…sometimes we have a choice and sometimes we don’t.   Think about your workplace.  Who are the Sam-I-ams?  Who are the Daniels?  Most importantly…who are you?  Unfortunately for many of us Daniels, the rules of the game have changed dramatically.  When the boss tells you to try that new accounting software or has added a new process that you have to start yesterday, it is no longer acceptable to choke or gag.  That doesn’t play out too well when it’s in front of your boss (trust me). 

“Would you? Could You? In a car?  Eat them! Eat them! Here they are.”

So here’s how it works when Daniel and Sam-I-am have grown up…  Green eggs and ham (aka change) is presented.  The Sam-I-am’s of the group say – “Hey it’s not so bad, try that new system, you’ll like it here and you’ll like it there!” Some will listen… and join in, “Would you? Could you? In a car?  Eat them! Eat them! Here they are!”  Their enthusiasm creates momentum, and their attitude positively impacts the organization – by simply embracing the unknown of change.  There are also those Daniels of the group who are going to tell you the opposite, “I would not, could not, in a car!”  There’s a problem though.  When we were kids, if you didn’t like that split pea soup (still makes me gag), it’s no big deal, and it has no impact on anyone else.  But now, those resisting change impact others – and not in an awesome, productive way!

So what’s the real difference between Daniel and Sam-I-am?  They both still have to try the same green eggs in the work world.  Why is Sam-I-am so positive while Daniel is flapping around?  I suspect we both know the answer… It’s between their ears. 

That’s right, between your ears.  It’s your thinking.  Change your thinking and you’ll change your results. 

“Sam! If you will let me be, I will try them.  You will See.”

What if this is how you choose to think about change?  Change = growth. Any time there is a change, you’re trying something new/different/totally uncomfortable…inevitably, you will grow.  When you stretch yourself, you’re going to gain mental strength, courage, and confidence… which means GROWTH; both personally and professionally.

What’s possible if you always thought of change in this way? Change = growth.  Would your results be different?  I bet they would.  And for those folks that appreciate the scare tactic, think of it this way: if you’re not growing, you’re dying…morbid but true.

“I do so like green eggs and ham!  Thank you! Thank you, Sam-I-am”

More good news. I know, I know…you’re asking yourself, “How can this get any better??” In every situation where change is present, you have a choice.  Your choice is how you are going to react – how you’re going to be about the change. 

So I’m challenging all of you Daniels out there.  Next time you’re gathered together griping over the next batch of green eggs and ham… Act like Daniel after listening to Sam-I-am “If you let me be, I will try them.  You will see.”  (mantra: change = growth).  Your choice to embrace change could lead you on an interesting journey of growth – “I do so like green eggs and ham!  Thank you! Thank you, Sam-I-am!”