Always Getting What You've Always Got

In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining who we are.
- Max Depree

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You’ve heard, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” How True. We always get what we always got, because of an unwillingness to change. Change is the catalyst to growth. Without change, things remain status quo. Status quo in the corporate world will cause a business to fall behind its competitors. A corporate organization that is not willing to change in a rapid changing corporate world will, inevitably, be forced to close its doors. Peter Drucker once said, "every three years, each product and process should be put on trial for its life, otherwise the competition will pass you by.

Status quo in one’s professional life will lead to a “career rut.” Your unwillingness to change will likely limit your chances of promotion and inevitably lead to job dissatisfaction. While those that embraced change are bypassing you for career advancement opportunities, you’ll continue to get what you’ve always got; finding yourself “stuck in the rut.”

Status quo in a personal relationships can lead to disenchantment and boredom. Once disenchantment and boredom set in, the relationship is ripe for strife. Often times, one, and sometimes both partners, may seek change without the other; creating conflicting values, miscommunication and a lack of respect. When this happens, the relationship may have endured so much damage that it is beyond repair.

Don’t get me wrong, there are times when status quo is sensible and logical. However, status quo forever just doesn’t make any sense. Everything in this world is changing. Don’t believe me; think about how life was 10 years ago, 20 years ago, 50 years ago, even 100 years ago. Some things change quickly, while other things change gradually; so gradual, you may not be aware of it.

The key to opportunity and growth is recognizing when things need to change and/or recognizing when things are in the process of changing, and then, doing something about it!

The common housefly teaches us a valuable lesson about an unwillingness to change. Have you ever observed a common housefly against an interior inside window? The fly, unwilling to change its exit strategy, will continue to crash into the window. This process goes on and on until eventually the fly dies from exhaustion. What would happen if the fly was willing to change its exit strategy? Most likely, the fly would find a safe exit just a few feet away.

I’ve encountered people who are just like the common housefly; they’re unwilling to change. They continue to struggle with old habits, strategies and paradigms. Their struggle causes them to lose energy; energy which is vital to survival. Some people are so unwilling to change their destructive habits that they will eventually die a slow death. Others are dying both spiritually and emotionally in that they no longer live life.

The next time you see a housefly struggling with its exit strategy, ask yourself, Am I like the housefly? Is there something I need to change? Or, Am I going to continue to do what I’ve always done? Remember, the housefly that continues to do what it has always done eventually ends up on its back, lifeless on a window sill.

It's your life: live it, love it & celebrate it!