I’ve always liked quotes, and one of my favorites is “Change before you have to,” by Jack Welch. It reminds me that change is inevitable; it will happen no matter if you like it or not. In other words, you can watch change happen or make change happen. The choice is yours.

John Newbern said it another way; there are “those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened.”

As you will find, I’ve included many quotes regarding change. These support each main topic using the wisdom and experience of others.

The following are three paths you may choose regarding dealing with change. 

Modify the Change 

This is where you get involved in the change so that it works for everyone. 

A great book called “Our Iceberg is Melting” by John Kotter tells the story of a penguin that attempts to convince the penguin leadership that their home is slowly melting away. His determination changes the existing reality and the minds of the penguin leaders to understand that their home (an iceberg) is melting away. He changed or modified their status quo. 

Choose to modify the change by providing a better solution.

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” -R. Buckminster Fuller

Sometimes it takes out-of-the-box thinking and ideas to modify the change.

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”- Steve Jobs

Accept the Change

This is typically where most people land. Some then grumble and complain about the change, or worse, they spread their negative opinions to others. None of this provides any benefit to them or others. Consider all aspects of the change and why it was implemented. If you don’t know or can’t understand it, ask questions.

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” – William Arthur Ward

“If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” – Maya Angelou

Leave the Change

Your last option is to leave where the change is being implemented. Before you make a drastic move, make sure that you consider the other two options.

“Moving doesn’t change who you are. It only changes the view outside your window.” – Rachel Hollis

“Even if you cannot change all the people around you, you can change the people you choose to be around. Life is too short to waste your time on people who don’t respect, appreciate, and value you. Spend your life with people who make you smile, laugh, and feel loved.” – Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

I’ll finish with a few additional quotes to leave you with. 

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Don’t Just― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart


Don’t just learn, experience.
Don’t just read, absorb.
Don’t just change, transform.
Don’t just relate, advocate.
Don’t just promise, prove.
Don’t just criticize, encourage.
Don’t just think, ponder.
Don’t just take, give.
Don’t just see, feel.
Don’t just dream, do.
Don’t just hear, listen.
Don’t just talk, act.
Don’t just tell, show.
Don’t just exist, live.

And last,

“Be bold enough to choose your own path and strong enough to follow it.” – livepurposefullynow.com

These are the paths that I have used when dealing with change in my life or helping others when they find change difficult. John C. Maxwell provides a great quote on how change can provide a positive benefit to our lives. Choose your path wisely.

“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” –  John C. Maxwell