With each passing day, the roles we play grow more complex. No matter how we might define ourselves, our lot in life, our specific roles, or our individualistic views and perspectives, what we do becomes more complex over time.
If you are a parent, for instance, your children aging and developing by the day makes your role more complex.
If you are a spouse or partner to someone else, your partner evolving through life makes your role more complex.
If you are a leader, the disassembling of societal norms around the concepts of sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression makes your role more complex.
If you engage with major gifts donors, the growing utilization of DAF’s makes your role more complex.
If you are a communications professional, the ever-increasing use of virtual technologies, social media channels and platforms makes your role more complex.
When we say that something is becoming “more complex,” we tend to perceive that as being harder, more difficult, or more problematic. But, that isn’t necessarily what “more complexity” brings.
In fact, increasing complexity has been with humans since we’ve had recorded history. The world has always been growing more complex.
And the lived experience of humans has grown much longer, generally more healthy, and far less dangerous than the plight of our ancestors.
Increasing complexity has been good, overall.
But, if we view it as a problem or a concern, we will find ourselves anxious, confused, withdrawn, and frustrated most all the time.
If, on the other hand, we consciously choose to view increasing complexity as an opportunity, we will find ourselves more invigorated, innovative, engaged, and propitious most all the time.
History seems to suggest which choice we should make.