Neophobia is the fear of anything new or different. I believe all thinking animals and people experience neophobia – some more than others. Up to a point, neophobia is a good thing. It keeps us from taking unnecessary risks and making mistakes.
What concerns me, though, is the fact that many cow-calf producers suffer unduly from neophobia – even when it involves management concepts that have been well proven to work. In other words, in situations where there is virtually no risk involved, cow-calf producers are still afraid to try something different.
As silly as it sounds… many people would rather fail doing what they’ve always done than succeed if success requires change. Change always involves some risk – but there is much more risk involved in not changing. Nothing stays the same. The present is different from the past and the future will be different from the present. True success and happiness will only come to those who are willing to change with the times.
Quote Worth Re-Quoting
“A comfort zone is a beautiful place – but nothing ever grows there.” ~ John Assaraf