The tragedy of life is often not in our failure, but rather in our complacency; not in our doing too much, but rather in our doing too little; not in our living above our ability, but in our living below our capacities.” — Benjamin E. Mays
Is just good enough ever good enough? Therein lies the problem with complacency. When you become complacent you start to settle for good enough. What is the risk in that? Here are three of the biggest dangers in becoming complacent.
1. Accepting the status quo
“This is the way we have always done it.” How many times have you heard that response? When you become complacent, you accept the status quo; and, the status quo is the enemy of progress. Just good enough IS NOT good enough.
2. Operating on autopilot
When you become complacent, you start to operate on autopilot. Autopilot allows you to perform up to a previously developed capability, but not above. If you are never pushing the envelope, you are never growing.
3. Losing all forward momentum
As long as you are always questioning the status quo and pushing the envelope of your current capability, you are moving forward. When you become complacent, all forward momentum halts. Once this happens, you revert to “just good enough.”
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Wake Up!
Where’s the challenge? What lies beyond the boundaries of your current processes? What if you pushed yourself beyond your current ability? Stop accepting the status quo, turn off autopilot, and start moving forward. It’s time to wake up before you fall into the trap of complacency.