If there’s one thing that leads to more unimpressive, unimportant, and un-awesome companies, brands, products, or services, it’s this; settling for less than you could be.
Settling is toxic to both companies and people. It destroys businesses, relationships, and lives. Hyperbolic? I don’t think so.
Settling is why once creative and innovative companies now push out mediocre and boring products. It’s why great ideas are ignored, and dreams are left to die at the side of the road. Because things are “good enough”.
It takes effort to continue to work on something that is already “good enough” and to push forward to make it great.
We’ve all heard the line “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. The problem is that sometimes it ain’t broke, but we should still fix it!
Never be afraid to ask how can I make it better, faster, lighter, more enjoyable, beautiful, or more important?
These are the kinds of questions asked everyday by the most successful entrepreneurs and business people around the world.
How can I take what is already good, and make it great?
Consistent and Constant Improvement
The beauty here is that settling is the norm so standing out and asking these questions immediately puts you or your company miles ahead of the competition.
The goal is consistent, constant, and progressive improvement in all areas.
For a business these could be product enhancements, customer service levels, design and styling, creation and innovation, or research and development.
Personally, these could be seeking to constantly improve your business, health, relationships, lifestyle, finances, and knowledge.
If you’ve found things haven’t improved in awhile, it’s time to stop rowing, stand up, and start rocking the boat.
The fastest way to succumb to mediocrity is to do nothing.
The Importance of Gratitude
There’s an important note here that can’t be overlooked. In an effort to grow and improve, achieve and accomplish, you must also be proud, satisfied, and grateful for where you are, and what you’ve already done.
The “never enough” mentality is a dangerous one and leads to a life of high achievement but low fulfilment. The goal is both. High achievement and feeling fulfilled and satisfied.
The key to being satisfied with where you are while still pushing to achieve more comes down to the following statement:
Success isn’t a destination, it’s a journey.
And never settling comes down to asking yourself the following 3 questions at the end of each day.
1. Did I learn something new?
2. Did I do something important?
3. Did I move closer to my goals?
If not, then there’s still time to pick up a book, work on a task, or make a plan to move closer to your goals.
As long as you’re consistently improving in some area of your life success is never too far behind.
