You Can’t Be Comfortable and Grow at The Same Time.

A body will continue in a state of rest or uniform motion unless and until an external force applied. Newton’s Second Law of Motion.

That’s human nature. We don’t change or move unless there is an internal or external pressure pushing us to do so. The truth is the same for growth. You don’t grow if you are okay with your current state unless there is external pressure.

Everything is designed to move, why should you stay stationary? Photo Courtesy | Om Prakash

The external pressure can come in different ways; you can get fired, a close relative can pass away, a stumble in your business or even a failed relationship etc. The unanticipated change (force) can be brutal, it can crush you or if you are lucky it can give you at least a chance to recover to your uniform motion after a series of pains and struggles.

We only innovate when we are subjected to extreme circumstances. When there is a fire in the house we never think twice on using the windows as an escape route. When we are broke and the future looks fuzzy it is the only time we explore some long pending ideas in our notebooks. The problem is, by the time you want to work on them you realize you are broke and you can’t do anything about them.

Why don’t you do things when you have resources to do so? The simple answer is, you are okay with your state of rest and uniform motion. You are okay with your monthly salary, the support from your fiancé or that rich uncle who clean up your mess every time you screw up. Never be comfortable with being in a state of rest or uniform motion. By the laws of nature, nothing stays comfortably for so long.

You always need to move, just make sure you move in the right direction. Don’t confuse movement with progress. Go at your own pace but make sure you progress. Don’t be too comfortable with where you are; ask a friend who got fired for fake certificates, leaders who have lost office and entrepreneurs with failed businesses. They all wish they could see it coming and do something about it. Always be ready. Don’t be comfortable and don’t underestimate the power of that external force.

How to deal with the external force? In every action, there is always an equal and opposite reaction, Newton’s third law of motion. Make sure you react in the right way. A negative reaction can cause even more damage. You can’t fix your failed marriage by sleeping with other women. You can’t fix your client’s problem by not responding to their phone calls or you can’t get employed by becoming an alcoholic after getting fired. The idea is to create your opposite reactions afterward; build relationships that allow you to grow, always be prepared for unplanned circumstances and create your own internal force. The internal force will create enough resistance to help you survive when the time comes.

We don’t have control over what might happen to us but we choose how to be prepared and how to respond when it happens.

Whatever you want to do, do it now when you have resources to do so. Things can change really fast and you don’t want to experience “Life Counterattack”. I’m learning it now from friends who are living in the situation. Consider this article a wake-up call. Don’t be comfortable.

Appreciation

• All those have pushed to grow.