Roll With The Changes

On this day in 1985, the corporate executives at Coca-Cola lost their mind, changed the formula on its flagship brand of soda and released New Coke. The response? Negative, to the surprise of only Coca-Cola. The original formula, re-introduced as Coca-Cola Classic, was back on the market in less than 3 months.

It was the best of intentions that took Coca-Cola to the edge of faltering. New Coke is studied to this day in business schools as an example of how never to underestimate the attachment consumers have for some items.

Of course, nothing stays the same and things change every day. Some are easier to accept or are even welcomed; computers no longer take up entire rooms, medical imaging equipment is widely available and your cell phone, well, it still makes phone calls, but it is so much more than that.

Change is inevitable. We approach change in as many ways as there are people in the world. Some eagerly look forward to the newest items. Others reluctantly adapt because there is no other choice. Still others wait along the sidelines, hoping that change will pass them by. Some choose not to bother with it and stand their ground, looking change in the eye and sending it packing.

We all know the best laid plans are bound to go astray. Change hardly ever happens in a straight line but generally comes at us form many directions all at once. How we choose to manage the twists and turns of life, how we adapt and respond to these inevitable changes is entirely up to us. It is what makes us individuals, gives us opportunities to learn, gain experience and grow. Roll with the changes or get rolled over.