I finally have to throw in the towel. I’ve had it. I can no longer keep up with the unbelievably rapid change in my life today. Just about the time I master what I thought was a real challenge, five more appear in my life! I’m exhausted just thinking about the changes we’ll be facing in the next five years.
I lost my grandfather 35 years ago. I seriously cringe at the thought of having to explain to him, should he come back for a visit today, even a few of the many changes which have occurred over those years. I wouldn’t know where to start.
However, I know it’s not just me. I observe many others struggling as well. On the other hand, I’m amused and impressed at how many people adapt so quickly and comfortably to any change they may encounter. Maybe you’re one of those fortunate “adapters” and don’t even realize it. Check out the following list to discover your current status. Answer honestly.
YOU KNOW YOU’RE LIVING IN 2011 WHEN …
1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.
2. Your grandmother clogs up your e-mail inbox asking you to send her a JPEG file of your newborn so she can create a screen saver.
3. You didn’t give your valentine a card this year, but you posted one for your e-mail buddies via a web page.
4. Your daughter sells Girl Scout Cookies via her web site.
5. You text your son to let him know it’s time to eat. He returns a text back from his bedroom asking, “What’s for dinner?”
6. You haven’t played solitaire with real cards in years!
7. You chat on-line regularly with strangers all over the country, but you haven’t spoken to your next-door-neighbor in over a year.
8. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 4.
9. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home.
10. You e-mail your colleague at the desk next to you to ask if they’re ready to go to lunch.
11. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends is that they do not have an e-mail address.
12. You hear most of your jokes via e-mail rather than in person.
13. Every commercial on television has a web-site address at the bottom of the screen.
15. You buy a computer and a week later it’s out of date and now sells for half the price you paid.
16. You consider second-day air delivery painfully slow.
17. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn’t even have the first 20, 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go back and get it.
18. You get up in the morning and go online before getting dressed for work.
19. You’re reading this and nodding and laughing.
20. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.
21. You are too busy to notice there was no #14 on this list.
22. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn’t a #14 on this list.
How’d you do?
About Harry K. Jones
Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.