Which brings us to one of first steps in dealing with change . . .

How will this change affect me? Too often, people resist change before allowing themselves to explore its potential benefits.

Make a sincere effort to look for good in what appears to be changing. Because of a natural resistance to unknown, we must consciously and logically analyze what this difference will mean to us. And it’s often not what we first perceive.

How can I exploit this change? Many fortunes have been made by taking swift advantage of changes and trends before others have realized how to do so.

A change that alters rules means opportunity only if you’re able to see new connections and exploit them.

If after thoroughly exploring potential good, we see change as negatively impacting us, we must then ask next question . . .

Is there anything I can do about this? There’s no question that some change runs counter to our best interests. If this is case, we need to find out if we can change circumstances. This is no time to play victim. Often what LOOKS like a situation totally outside of our control can in fact be altered.

If we can't change circumstances, then ask . . .

How can I minimize impact of this change? First we must accept it. There’s no payoff to being upset about it. If your destination is LA and you find yourself in San Francisco due to bad weather or mechanical difficulties, being angry about it will not get you to LA. In fact it will hinder you.

By accepting reality of situation, we can then change our strategies. We can take a new tack. We can change sails. We can set a new course.

Only when we accept change can we make rational, informed and effective decisions. Only then can we use our knowledge and skills to adjust to changing winds and arrive at our intended destination.

Now is time for green-light thinking. Now is time to attack problem with our intellect, to get help we need, to do whatever it takes to adjust to this change.

In all of these steps, we need to be creative. As paradigms shift, as new systems go into place and new technologies evolve, we must be open to how this changes setup as we knew it.

Our success is largely dependent upon our acceptance and response to change that takes place around us. Extinctions occur as a result of an inability to change. To change is often difficult, but to not change may prove fatal.

Those who will thrive in new millennium will be those who have positive attitudes toward change. Those who don’t will be left behind, or worse yet, they will founder.

Michael Angier is the founder and president of Success Net, publishers of SUCCESS STRATEGIES and SUCCESS DIGEST. Success Net is a worldwide association committed to helping people become more knowledgeable, productive and effective. Their mission is to inform, inspire and empower people to be their best--personally and professionally. Free subscriptions, memberships, books and SuccessMark Cards are available at http://www.SuccessNet.org

That's because they were building foundation--the foundation to support a grand structure. And that takes time.

The engineers, architect and owner certainly weren't standing around saying, "Where's building? Why can't I see more progress?" They knew that a majority of time to construct building would be spent in laying groundwork.

Once foundation is ready and cured, rest of construction happens at impressive speed. Even mistakes made in superstructure can be corrected without too much difficulty. But faults in foundation CANNOT be easily repaired and will jeopardize entire structure.

And why should what we build be any different? We need to put strong foundations under our dreams, our businesses and our relationships. I believe that this is where many people struggle. They're too focused on payoff and don't give enough attention to hard work and careful planning required in building substructure. They want to start putting up walls and bringing in business too soon.

And in end, most fail because there's not right support.

Every business, every marriage, every cause will be tested. Just being a "good guy" and "doing right thing" will not insulate you from gales, attacks and infestations that will most definitely occur.

But with a strong foundation, built with good materials, with painstaking effort, your structure will be one that withstands all assaults and fully supports your endeavors.