In recent posts we've been talking about some core principals that, I believe, must be a part of any business or endeavor in which we are looking for longevity. Today, I'd like to reflect a little bit on another important factor to consider moving forward in business and/or personal growth.

It's critically important in any relationship to have the foresight to know we must evolve. Ironically, in the history of evolution, the one constant, unchanging fact is...everything changes. Species that failed to evolve are the ones that have gone extinct. The same is true in our personal and working/business relationships - as the "climate" changes, so must we.

This is especially true in small businesses as they grow to be not-so-small anymore. In a recent conversation I had with a business associate who started his business on a whim and a prayer, we discussed the need to evaluate the course of a business. His company has now grown into a multi-million dollar company and is undergoing much change. We discussed how essential it is, as we move into different seasons in our businesses and careers, to grow with the market place and our industries.

As always, growth is a two-edged sword. Even as we must change as the demands in our businesses change, it's imperative not to forget where we came from. So often a new, "little" company has a small core of faithful folks who fought the good fight together helping make that little company become a BIG company. The comradery and all-for-one attitude that might have been there in the beginning changes as more people are added to the workforce, many of whom don't even know the history of their company.

Products and business models must change to fit the ever-evolving market landscape. These changes, however, can leave the "old-timers", those who were with the company in it's infancy, feeling alienated as newer employees don't seem to care about the hard work it took in the beginning.

So, a conundrum. We must evolve, but we must not forget our evolution. WHAT? HOW? And thus, the title of today's post - Nostalgia versus Amnesia - an answer found, as my associate and I discussed these important issues. It's so easy to move on and not remember where we came from; after all, past is past. But, forgetting the stepping stones from the pathway behind us puts us at risk of losing our core principals and values to pave the pathway before us.

Just like Christmas's past, let's not forget to remember to raise our glass to the beautiful, bittersweet days gone by; equally, as the New Year approaches, let's not forget to look forward with hope and anticipation to the new days ahead!

And that's the Rebel Way today.

by: CAT MacPhee