Summary: This week, I need to talk to you about complacency. Far too often people fall short of their potential due to a lack of drive. People lose focus, they lose their way, and they lose hope. When these things are lost, it is only that individual who can find it again.<br> So, how can you make sure that you’re not being complacent? I have three tips to help you make sure you’re always moving ahead with the right things in life:<br> <br> First, be mindful that complacency and rest are not the same things. <br> Many times, it is a struggle for people to differentiate between being lazy and getting much needed rest. I wrestle with the popular term “hustle” for this very reason. It sounds like a never-ending struggle to me. What ever happened to the term “hard work”? Is that not good enough anymore? Maybe it’s just me…<br> Anyway, people who are always going and never stop long enough to plan, or breathe for that matter, will end up tired and confused in the end. Don’t ever beat yourself up for needing rest. It’s essential for brainpower and function.<br> Second, realize that awareness wins.<br> One of my favorite quotes on complacency comes from, Andy Grove. He said, “Success breeds complacency. Complacency breeds failure. Only the paranoid survive.” And in a way, he has a point. It’s easy to stop looking ahead for far too long when success comes, but we must alter our view on success. We should all look at each success as a stepping stone to another. Remember that life consists of a long list of successes, not just one.<br> What is it that drives you? Do you need rest? Is this a season that you need to just need to put the work in? Do you need to be planning? Do you need to be dreaming? All of these require tons of work, but when people aren’t physically moving, they can feel complacent. Of course, becoming paranoid about success and complacency like Grove’s quote from before is taking it too far, but we must be aware of the marathon that life is. If you treat it as a sprint, you will eventually become exhausted, and that will most likely lead to complacency. To avoid complacency you need to be self-aware and aware of what is needed around you. <br> Third, complacency thrives when there is no plan.<br> Complacency loves to come right before you take the first step. Imagine you are at a fork in the road and trying to look at your map so that you know which road to travel. This idea shows how complacency abounds when you either don’t have a plan, or don’t know what step to take next within the plan you have already created. Sure, plans will change, but your drive doesn’t have to diminish. Even when things don’t go as plan, it’s imperative that you gather yourself, make a new plan, keep looking ahead, and continue to move forward.<br> Complacency will ruin your life if you allow it to, but the decision is all yours. Will you give in, or will you make an attempt? If you never try, you’ll never know, so you might as well take a step.<br> Now, go and make a difference, today. <br>
