Avoid The Dangers of Complacency – And Earn A Major Breakthrough

Do you feel stuck in a particular area of your life?  Do you feel stagnant in your relationships, business, or personal well being?  What part of your personality is holding you back and preventing you from taking your life to the next level?  What are you willing to do to achieve that break through that always seems to elude you?

Albert Einstein stated that “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results”.  In other words, If you continue to do the same thing today as you did yesterday, why would you expect tomorrow to be any different?

Indeed there is power in remaining consistent when performing particular actions.  For instance, by reading every day one can amass a great amount of knowledge over an extended period of time; by eating well and exercising regularly one can maintain a physically healthy lifestyle; by investing $50/week with the right interest rates one can create signifiant wealth over 20-30 years.

Clearly behaving with consistency under certain conditions has much to offer an individual.  So what is it that Albert Einstein meant when attempting to convey to us the “danger” of doing the same thing everyday?  What types of repetitive behaviors should we remove from our daily routines?

If you are lazy and unwilling to work, the chances of your career blossoming will be bordering on non-existent.  If you are unkind and inconsiderate to others the likelihood of you making new friends will be considerably low.  But is this not well known to the common individual?  Is this really what Albert Einstein meant to instill within us: the superfluous concept that repeating negative behavior will never produce positive results?

I perceive Einstein warning us of the inevitable consequences of complacency and highlighting “comfortability” as one of the most common ingredients that spoils our ability to manifest our potential.  After all, what is done routinely often times loses flavor due to its monotony.

New levels of achievement and advancement are not experienced by those who are unwilling to stretch themselves beyond their breaking point.  When Albert Einstein urges us to not do the same thing today as we did yesterday, I do not believe he is referring to the specific acts we are engaged in; but rather to the way in which we engage in our actions.

When I started my life coaching and motivational speaking company over a year ago I was petrified; I was uncertain what I should teach, who I could reach, and how I could reach them.  I began by speaking in two drug treatment centers per week and within 6 months had quickly grown to over 10 per week.  But something happened over the next 6 months.

I began to feel very comfortable speaking in treatment centers.  It became easier and easier the more experience I obtained.  I began to feel as if I had reached a plateau and progress felt out of reach.  I reached out to a mentor of mine who reminded me about the importance of constantly trying new things and getting out of my “comfort zone”.

The next day I “hit the pavement” and began promoting myself to high schools.  I entered into a new arena where I had no contacts and connections and was uncertain of how they would respond to my pitch.  Within one week I had booked my first gig which quickly gave birth to a second.  As I am writing this to you, several more opportunities are opening up.

I do not know what the future of my company will be, but I do know that it will become what I will make it.  The secret of achieving greater levels of success is completely dependent upon my ability to consistently “get outside the box” and break free from my comfort zone.

If you have a desire to create a break through in a particular area of your life start by asking yourself these questions:

Where have I created a “comfort zone” in my life?  Where have I fallen into the clutches of complacency?  How can I free myself from it’s grip?

Complacency will forever be the antithesis for further growth, transformation, and success.  If you authentically desire to create new levels of achievement in your life it is essential to constantly explore the territory of the unknown.

Read between the lines of Albert Einstein’s message and expand your horizons each and every day.  Be cautious of getting too comfortable; do not allow complacency to take control of your life and prevent you from making progress; try new things every day and approach every waking moment with passion.