Change vs. Status Quo
It’s been said that the only thing that stays the same is change. Yet how often do we attempt to hold on to something? Why is it that we attempt to keep things the same?
The simple answer is control. As human beings, most of us are obsessed with control - especially us entrepreneurs. We will do whatever we can to prevent change and hold onto the status quo in order to have control of a situation or our lives.
What is control though? Control is knowing what the outcome will be ahead of time. Control is predictable, it’s comfortable, it’s satisfying. Change is unpredictable, uncomfortable and full of anxiety for many people.
We hold onto control because for so many of us, losing control is a scary idea. Yet, how much control do we really have? Think about it. What do you really have control over? Not much of anything.
One of the few things we have control over is setting what direction you are going to go, how you are going to think about any given situation and to some extent, how you react to a situation.
Here’s an exercise for you to do today - when you feel angry, like you’ve been taken advantage of, mistreated, ignored, distracted, or feel anything that upsets you, ask yourself what control you have at that moment. I’ll bet that your reaction to the situation changes. And when your reactions change, you’ll start getting different results too.
I agree we can’t be complacent our whole life. Sometimes taking a chance makes a big difference.
Joe
How we use the word control depends upon our perspective. For example, a ‘producer’ (i.e. somebody who produces more value than they consume) tends to value control over what most of us think we want, which is ‘ownership.’ I guess ownership is the ultimate perception of controlling something.
The Principle is Stewardship. We control our own decisions/actions; outside of that any influence we have, from a perspective of progression and prosperity, is an influence brought about by Stewardship. What can we do with a situation, product, relationship, etc. to create more value than there was before our influence is a factor.
As far as control goes, one of the most powerful things I’ve learned is to not allow myself to take offense at something or someone. I forget all the time; but the ill feelings that come with offense reminds me and sooner or later I remember. Then it’s like, Aagghhhh. Peace and relaxation are back again.
Thanks, Matthew, for the blog. I’ve got it stumbled, delicious’d and dugg from my reader, as there’s no options to do that from your blog. I look forward to reading more.
–Dave Charbonneau, C.E.R.
Good suggestions for all the ways of making it easier for readers to read the blog. Thanks Dave.