Fairisle’s top ten quotes about change
Image credit: Alfonso Escu on Unsplash
Fairisle’s top ten quotes about change
The summer break has given us the chance to think about everything we’ve learnt since founding Fairisle ten years ago. So we’ve put together our top ten quotes that encapsulate what we’ve learnt - and why.
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude” - Maya Angelou
Some things you can’t change, but it is always possible to alter the way you think about what’s going on. That’s not to say it’s easy - and sometimes it needs time and other people’s perspectives. But if you can find a way of thinking about a situation differently, it’s the most powerful tool in your kit.
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination”
- James Dean
Sailing is a metaphor that we use a lot at Fairisle. There will always be things that are out of your control in dealing with change, but when you learn to adapt to the circumstances, it’s still possible to keep moving.
“When you have a great and difficult task, something perhaps almost impossible, if you only work a little at a time, every day a little, suddenly the work will finish itself” - Isak Dinesen
Breaking things down is key to Agile practice. Change can feel overwhelming. To the point that it can put you off starting at all. But if you can take some time to break things down and work at them consistently, you’ll achieve your objectives surprisingly quickly. And it works for smaller tasks as much as the big scary ones.
“I don’t make the soy sauce. The microorganisms make it. I just create an environment where they can thrive”
- Yasuo Yamamoto
Taken from an interview in Samin Nosrat’s documentary Salt Fat Acid Heat, we like this one because so much of our work with clients is about setting the conditions for change to happen. Never fans of the phrase ‘driving through change’, we believe that change is effected best when you take the time to make a conducive environment. That means working with collaboration, communication and partnership.
“Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced”
- James Baldwin
From another writer, this one reminds us that a key to effective change is acceptance. Where you are might not feel comfortable, but recognising the reality of your situation is the first step in making progress. Part of our role with clients is to help them identify the root cause of a problem, and share that with their key stakeholders before making a plan to move forward.
“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading”
- Lao Tzu
There are many variations of this one, but they all come down to the same thing. Recognising that in order for things to change, you have to start doing some things differently.
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers”
- Amelia Earhart
Fear and change are always linked. And fear is often a reason for hesitating over a decision. We’re not suggesting that you behave recklessly, but it can be useful to remind yourself that fear is a response to only one of a number of possible outcomes. Think of what other outcomes might be the result of your decision, and assess which one is most realistic.
“Things might have been a lot worse. Don’t you worry about it overmuch. When a thing’s done, it’s done, and if it’s not done right, do it differently next time. Worrying never made a sailor”
- Arthur Ransome, Swallows and Amazons
Regular reflection on what went well and what didn’t is always helpful. But once you’ve identified the lesson, plan for what you’ll do differently next time and move on.
“What people resist is not change per se, but loss”
- Ronald A. Heifetz
The etymology of the word ‘change’ has at its root ‘to barter or exchange’. While the gains in a change process are often emphasised, sometimes the losses are forgotten. If you’re facing resistance in your change, consider what losses people might be fearing or noticing.
“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship” - Louisa May Alcot
Another sailing one, another journey one. This quote appeals to us for both these reasons. But also because it is a recognition that working through a challenging situation requires courage and learning.
These words have shaped our journey over the past ten years. I’d love to know which one means something to you today?
Get in touch to let us know.
