We cling to traditional ideas and ways of being because they bring a certain level of comfort to us. As the environment around us becomes more turbulent and threatening, we tend to revert even further into the known and comfortable worlds we inhabit.

We do this even though there is no evidence that “staying put” and “holding on” will make our situations any better. Indeed, we simply keep falling further and further behind, feel weaker and weaker, and lose more and more.

One reason we fall into this trap is that we often focus on the wrong things.

Consider these excerpts from Umair Haque’s book, “Betterness”:

“[ask yourself] is my conception of competitive mastery merely about kicking rivals’ behinds—or about kicking yesterday’s aging, perhaps self-destructive habits?”

“Going from business to betterness means going from vision, mission, strategy, and objectives to ambition, intention, constraints, and imperatives.”

Now ask yourself:

Am I looking in the right places? Is my focus right?

Am I bound up in old language and thinking about business? Am I missing the opportunity to approach, and connect to, others in a more meaningful and productive way?

What “aging, perhaps self-destructive habits” are holding me back right now?

What is my ambition? What is my intention? What must I never do? What must I always do?

Let go of what’s holding you back.

Move on to what can take you forward.

---

Photo Credit