Perturbation

Perturbation is an interesting word that describes change, especially agitation from the status quo. A perturbation of a biological system is a change in the external or internal environment. This can occur from temperature changes, pressure changes, toxins, drugs, etc.

Celestial bodies can experience perturbation when there is a disturbance of their regular orbit because of the attraction of neighboring planets. For example, perturbations in Neptune’s orbit led to the discovery of the planet Pluto, and perturbations in the orbit of stars have led to the discovery of other planetary systems.

The CNMI in general and individuals specifically are experiencing perturbation from the various activities that are impacting their normal routine. For example, the external events such as the changes in labor and immigration are affecting the personal lives of individuals and thus creating stresses that weren’t there before in the lives of the individuals and their families, as well as employers and customers. Other factors that have an impact are the economy, self-serving political bills and initiatives, and world events that have a ripple effect on the islands.

These influences cause slight to severe deviations that disrupt the status quo and puts programs, processes, and people in an uncomfortable situation that requires some adjustments – sometimes for the better. What might have worked in the past is now ineffective and a new set of strategies and systems are needed to create similar or better results.

Leaders will sometimes create perturbation intentionally to place additional pressures on their followers so that they are forced to discover new solutions. What was working in the past either isn’t producing the same results or the results the leader expects. I’ve known several leaders who announced that they were intentionally turning the organization upside down so they could shake their people out of complacency. The mantra of “that’s how we’ve always done it here” wasn’t working and change was needed right away.

If you think about it, many of your changes from routine patterns were caused by internal or external events that bumped you out of your comfort zone. People are creatures of habit, and usually will not stray far from their areas of comfort before returning to their familiar patterns of behavior. We typically sit in the same places in classes or church, and take the same routes to work or to shop.

Individuals often stay in relationships that aren’t working because they believe it’s too uncomfortable to change, so they will live quiet lives of desperation for years until something bumps them so far out of their comfort zone that they find it more difficult to return.

If you think about it, a breakthrough often follows a breakup, a breakdown, or a break with the ideologies of the past. It’s those rare individuals with a spirit of adventure that have broken speed records, climbed the highest peaks, or discovered new worlds while the rest of humanity was trudging along in their familiar ruts. These individuals intentionally place themselves in a state of perturbation to learn new ways of thinking, make new relationships, and learn new skills that will enable them to better adapt to change.

Trying to operate in the same way while the world around us is changing will only create more stress and ultimately lead to failure. Discovering new ways of thinking, working, and relating will allow us to better adapt to the many changes that are rocking our world.

Are you a creature of habit who gets over-stressed when things aren’t working the way you want them to work? When you find someone sitting in “your seat,” do you get perturbed? If your usual route to work is blocked because of construction, do you get upset, or do you just go with the flow?

Do something today that is out of the ordinary or a change in your routine. We have a new year coming soon, and this is a time when many people set resolutions or goals to accomplish. Set some goals to create perturbation and break you out of familiar routines. Learn a new skill, visit a new place, and make new friends. Soon you’ll make these mini-adventures a part of your life and start to look for bigger adventures that will transform you into a better and more interesting person.