1-27-2025 4:53am

Oftentimes, Change is Good

Lesley Misko Editor

by Julie Cordingley

Now that our New Year’s resolutions are more than likely coming to an end (no judgement here!), I’d like to offer some suggestions along with a bit of cheerleading as we move onto the remainder of the year. My advice stems from an article that I read long ago, in a Reader’s Digest far, far away. Its premise?... if it’s not broke, then break it.

Wait… What?!

Yes; you read it correctly. They specifically meant those words…and by they, I mean Robert J. Kriegel and Louis Patier, who, in 1994, wrote the book If it Ain't Broke ... Break It! and other Unconventional Wisdom for a Changing Business World. Although geared for the business world, their three main take aways encourage the change-averse reader like myself (or perhaps you), to take that bucket list of goals and actively pursue them despite being nervous or scared.

"Fear keeps people stuck in their problems, and stops them from pursuing their dreams. Most of the stress people experience is caused by fear as well."

"Find a way to deal with fear and do not let it get in your way".

Their persuasive words must have resonated because back in the 90’s, I uprooted myself from a pretty decent, well-paying, white collar industry job and went back to college. My goal was to augment my BS degree with a teaching certificate so that I could teach chemistry to a bunch of high schoolers.

Wait…really?... WHAT? !!!

Looking back, this was pretty gutsy (insane, hopeful, moronic, naïve) even for me. I knew my way around a lab, having been a bench chemist for thirteen years but would that confidence follow me into academia? Something about that Digest piece made me realize that although I would be leaving my comfortable, status quo job, I subliminally needed that change so I wouldn’t have the would’ve, should’ve, could’ve world of regret.

"Sacred cows are those things that we do not know why we do in a certain way, but we have always done it like that, so we just continue to do so."

"Get rid of them and start reacting to changes, without being tied down to a routine you are afraid to break."

Despite what some people think, having once been a high schooler, does not automatically prepare you for knowing your way around a classroom. I’m sorry. It took me two years of college courses, a student teacher assignment at Springford, a long- term substitute job at both Boyertown and Oley Valley until ultimately, I submitted my resume and was hired at Phoenixville. There were times, especially in the first three years that made me question why I left such a cushy by comparison industry job. But ever so gradually, the kids, the schedules, my workload, my colleagues, and ALL else became manageable. Every day was brand new. I loved my students…yes, those quirky, frustrating, lazy-at-times, fun-loving young people. I loved Phoenixville. But most of all I loved that I took that first scary step toward change. No regrets.

Okay; as promised, here comes my cheerleading to encourage your own leap…

It does not have to be as big as a new job search which admittedly is not for the faint of heart. So perhaps start small. I’m a relative “newbie” to the Boyertown Express but it is fraught with suggestions. I already see the amazing and diverse opportunities at Studio B. I love the articles about music too, which leads me to suggest seeking out music lessons for that instrument you always wanted to play. While checking out a book at our wonderful Boyertown Community Library, a notice for a Gentle Yin Yoga class caught my eye, and so I joined even though I knew no one. Sign up for a triathlon and start training. Become a foodie. Go ahead; get that bee hive! Why the heck not? That bucket list is potentially endless. Challenge yourself. If it doesn’t work out for you, at least you tried, right? But if something “sticks,” go ahead and congratulate yourself that you made a “breakthrough” by making your life a little more fulfilling.

"If you do not think the market (aka life) you are in is enough, change the game. Define your own [lif e], create one for yourself, even though it may not have existed previously."

As author Carina Adams so aptly put it, “It’s better to look back on life and say I can’t believe I did that than to look back and say I wish I did that”…a very quotable quote worthy of Reader’s Digest.

Links to more on this topic:

If it Ain't Broke...Break It!: And Other Unconventional Wisdom for a Changing Business World Paperback – March 1, 1992 by Robert J. Kriegel PhD (Author), Louis Palter (Author)

https://blog.12min.com/if-it-aint-broke-break-it-summary/

It has been over 40 years since a chemist job in Malvern lured Julie Cordingley away from her up state, New York home. She is a proud resident of Gilbertsville! Besides working in industry, at various times she has been a stay-at-home mom, and has just recently retired from Phoenixville Area School District as a (wait for it!) chemistry teacher. It has been a life-long dream to be a writer. She figures she can work at that craft while also traveling with her husband in their drivable RV… a retirement present to herself!