Development means Change

I recently looked up the word “development” and found three interesting definitions.

Development is:


1. An event causing change – an incident that causes a situation to change or progress.

2. The process of change – the process of becoming larger, stronger, or more impressive, successful, or advanced, or of causing somebody or something to change in this way.

3. Incomplete state – a state in which the developing of something is not yet complete.

Within all three definitions is the concept of change; and whether the emphasis is applied to individuals or organizations, development is the on-going, deliberate action taken to move from the current (present) state to a distinctly improved future state (condition).

Development means Change

We have our routines, habits and natural tendencies that (to a large part) define who we are to world around us. Certain behaviors are so routine that we are unconsciously predictable. In individuals, this predictability can positively or negative impact trust and ultimately affect relationships. In organizations, it characterizes reliability, service and affects loyalty and engagement involving customers and employees. An individual or organization in development is one that is consciously breaking out of certain routines, habits and tendencies.

Development means Change for the Better

Development means consciously changing for the better but it requires defining “better”. Unless you know you are at the top of your game, best-in-class, and/or benchmark of quality –there is someone who is; they are the individuals and organizations that define what better can look like. Changing for the better also means asking yourself “do I really want to be better?” If you don’t, that is perfectly OK, and you can stop reading this article now! However, true development is a deliberate effort to move beyond where you are today and closer to that better state.

Development means Change Today to be Better Tomorrow

One of the greatest obstacles to development is overcoming inertia. In Physics, the law of inertia says that a body at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by an equal and opposite force. In simpler terms, unless we exert an equal or greater amount of effort into the change as we would into our current routine, change will NOT happen and development will NOT occur! However, once we truly embrace and engage in meaningful change, this law of Physics also offers an optimistic outlook because a body in motion will need a force of equal or greater intensity to stop it! Once the momentum of deliberate change has begun, the process of development is truly underway. With each new day, we must set our sights on becoming better tomorrow that we are today, such that these efforts become our new routine and development becomes a new habit. Tomorrow will always look better than today; even if, or when we become the new standard of excellence. That precept should encourage us to continually look for even greater opportunities for development.