When I recently brought a new iPhone, the rep offered me some deal so that if a new phone came out in something like 90 days after my purchase, I could upgrade to the new phone for free. I laughed because I certainly don’t need to do that. But it reminded me of the standard adoption curve I learned years ago getting my Electrical Engineering degree.
It laid out the curve so that a small minority are early adopters, and similarly small number are late adopters, but most people are right in the middle as neither early or late adopters.
Do you know where you are on this curve?
But here’s why you should be feeling incredible about your learning curve, no matter where you are on the adoption curve. We are living in a world where we often have to adapt to new technology and functionality on a continual basis.
Let’s use my phone as an example. It runs the Apple OS, iOS 17 which was released on September 21, 2023 (thanks to a great MacWorld article for all these details). At the time I’m writing this on October 1, 2024, the iOS has had six major updates and numerous small ones as well.
Some of those are security updates – others update the Stickers, News and Weather apps. The podcast app now does transcription. The App Store changed to comply with EU legislation. Apple delivered a new game, Quartiles and updated ways to track games.
And this is just one example of a smart phone but is representative of the updates we are continually bombarded with. I’m guessing you all have navigated the WordPress changes in addition to your computer changes, social media changes, and maybe even tv updates if you use a smart tv.
In my profession dealing with Microsoft software, we used to have a three-year lifecycle. Microsoft would release the software, usually with 2 or 3 updates during the three-year period and we’d choose when to upgrade a customer to the latest version.
Now the updates/upgrades/changes come on an almost constant basis. There no longer is a choice in many of the things we interact with about what part of the adoption curve we want to be on.
So, if you are feeling unsettled about the world and uncertain about the pace of change, please know you are not alone. More than that, give yourself a huge pat on the back. Your daily learning curve for the tools you use is ongoing and significant. You’re doing great!
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(featured photo from Pexels)
Thanks for the encouragement Wynne! I should probably print this out and hang it right above my computer desk/work space for constant review and de-escalation 😅
Well, if I could have that effect on just one person, I’d call this post a success. Thank you, Todd!! 🙂
“…no matter where you are on the adoption curve. We are living in a world where we often have to adapt to new technology and functionality on a continual basis.” Sadly this isn’t said enough. I find that just acknowledging the pace of change today helps with the adoption of change. Yes, it takes ownership and possible task changes, but when we recognize where someone is and the feelings they may be having, it goes a long way in helping to smooth the actions we want them to take. Great post Wynne.
Acknowledging the pace of change helps with the adoption of change — what an astute observation, Brian!
I’d definitely say I’m a later adopter, mainly because jumping on the bandwagon and always needing the latest and greatest generally leads to spending too much money and a mindset of needing to always keep up.
I agree, though, that we are constantly learning and adapting to new things where technology is concerned. I’m always amazed at people who take the time to write ranting posts about the latest Facebook or WordPress change that has inconvenienced their life. In the time it takes to write the post, they could probably have figured it out.
I couldn’t agree more – both about the rants and that early adoption is an expensive mindset. What a great comment, Michelle!
What a great topic, Wynne. I would consider myself to have “early awareness” of new technologies and tools, but I’m inevitably a late adopter because I want to see the implications before participating. For example, 23andMe was a neat concept with a terrible privacy policy, so I worried about the long-term implications of a data breach or data being sold, which eventually came to fruition. I guess the exception is open-source technologies where I can see the mechanisms and understand the implications at the onset.
It really is interesting how much of this stuff weasels its way into our lives, and we’re more adept at adapting than most of us give ourselves credit for. You’re absolutely right.
Oh, I admire your deep analysis and great technical skill, Erin! You blow me away with your ability to evaluate technology as just one of many examples!
Being an ole curmudgeon, retired and released from the demands of yesteryears’ demands of ‘keeping up’, I’ve contentedly adopted a ‘If it still works I ain’t gonna’ upgrade it! learning curve . . . senior stubbornness that eliminates the frustration of relapsing back into ‘keeping up’ . . . Hang in there younguns 😊
I love it, Fred! That’s smart. And still you are navigating through the “changes” that are made through automatic updates. Way to go!!
Wynne, you lost me therefore I give myself a pat on my back😀
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