Even dinosaurs can change Published March 3, 2009 By Lt. Col. Drew Stark 87th Mission Support Group deputy commander McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Quick recap: My last article was titled, "I am a dinosaur." It should be no surprise that it was quite a while ago I submitted that article for the paper. Dinosaurs, like elephants, are not prone to rapid movement. Dinosaurs can move along once they get warmed up, but in general you're more likely to think "fast like cheetah" or "fast like falcon" than you are "fast like dinosaur." With that said, even dinosaurs change. We all face change. But for dinosaurs it is a difficult process, and often undertaken reluctantly. Change happens when Airmen PCS, deploy, separate from the Air Force or retire. There is change from new or updated regulations and technical orders, and more still from process change undertaken as part of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century. Some of us see change as difficult or worrisome. Change often takes effort and consumes energy, so many of us view it with concern. Many people have made money writing books, putting on seminars and teaching classes about how to deal with change - how to get through the worry and the effort involved in change. They make good points. Heck, they can certainly point to better test scores in school and bigger bank accounts than mine to prove their success. The industry surrounding " change management" contributes to the difficulty we sometimes face in dealing with change. To some extent, the industry of change management makes the task of change seem more overwhelming. It leads to psyching ourselves out, right? I mean, there are experts needed for this, so how do we get through it alone? There is complicated analysis needed or it could fail -- and goodness we can't fail. It can lead to resentment, too. If you simply want to do what you need to, including making some change to get things done, the existence of this industry may make it seem complicated. It may seem like there has to be some big production or greater expenditure of resources than you have in order to act. Here is the advice of this dinosaur: Do what needs to be done. Don't get psyched out. Things change over time, and we all have to adapt. Don't fight change. Don't make it complicated. If you are having difficulty getting work done or getting time off, look for a way to change your situation. Don't let the situation or the industry scare. If you need help, ask a co-worker, a supervisor or find someone with a little background in the tools of change. We have many Airmen and civilian co-workers in our units, groups and wings who have training and experience in change management. Accept and take advantage of change. If you don't change, you will get left behind. Better to live as a dinosaur than be found as a fossil.