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I
S THERE PERHAPS AN ATTITUDE, AN ACTIVITY OR A
HABIT IN YOUR LIFE THAT MAY NEED TO CHANGE? AND
WHAT ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS ROUTINES AND FARMING
PRACTICES – DO THEY PERHAPS ALSO NEED UPDATING,
SHIFTING, REFRESHING IN ORDER TO KEEP YOU RELE-
VANT AND REACHING YOUR GOALS?
When my 86-year old dad was widowed three years ago, he sank
into a deep sadness and a dark desperation threatened to overwhelm
him since he felt his life no longer had purpose. One day I said, ‘You
know Dad, Mom did not have the choice to stay, but you … you
have the choice to live in a way that honours both your lives through
living your life well!’ My dad was quiet, but the next day he made an
appointment to have his hearing tested, and booked himself a medi-
cal check-up. He also resolved that instead of waiting for people to
phone him, he was going to phone someone special every day to
catch up on their news … and he does!
The following week he took out a piece of old furniture and start-
ed sanding it down and within hours it was transformed and looking
brand new – so much so that all the children were asking if they
could please have it. This set a chain of events in motion. He began
attending auctions and bought old pieces of wooden furniture which
he has restored beautifully and gifted to people. Suddenly his days
were full and busy and happier. During his very lonely and solitary
lockdown there were no auctions and no-one to talk to, so in spite of
zero woodworking experience, he began making beautiful wooden
toys. At the age of 86 he is still learning new skills every day. His con-
fidence grows daily. My dad has changed. He is good company and
spreads his unique brand of loving and caring. He still misses Mom
every day –but he lives life well and is an inspiration and his great
grandchildren love playing with the cars and trucks he makes! No
progress is possible without a change; and those who cannot change
their minds cannot change anything!
‘BUT WE’VE ALWAYS DONE IT THIS WAY!’
This has to be one of the most dangerous phrases. Some old ways
are good but one still needs to examine the value of doing things the
way they have always been done and question whether there may be
new, different or better ways of doing. To change oneself or one’s
plans is challenging, but being willing to adapt and change means
you are prepared to do what it takes to build new things for a better
future. Change is necessary and sometimes we need to pause and
examine our lives, our business, our goals and our motives. We need
to ask ourselves what we ought to think about changing. Winston
Churchill once said: ‘To improve is to change; to be perfect is to
change often!’
PERFORMANCE PRODUCTIVITY
A fundamental principle in business management says: ‘All of an
organisation’s human and material resources must be well used in
Change is inevitable
– growth is optional
Jenny Mathews, Pula Imvula
contributor. Send an email to
jennymathews@grainsa.co.za
All of an organisation’s human and material
resources must be well used in the right way
and at the right time to create high quality
products at minimum cost.
MADE POSSIBLE BY
THE MAIZE TRUST
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