Podcast

We no longer grow and evolve when we allow ourselves to be comfortable with the status quo. When our rigid mindset is determined by habit, learned behaviors, and traditions that are often passed down from one generation to the other. This applies to our personal lives and equally applies to organizations that become so entrenched in their mindset, culture and traditions that resistance to change or new ideas become almost virtually impossible.

Any change, even a small deviation from what has been deemed appropriate and acceptable is often met with strong, and often defiant resistance. Cognitive dissonance is a powerful force against change even when change could bring profound opportunities of growth and progression.

Just because we have always done things in a certain way does not mean that these practices are the way forward, in fact, in truth it is often the complete opposite. By being so rigid in our beliefs that we become close-minded, we significantly limit our potential for growth. When we resist any idea of change, even though that change (even in simple terms) would allow us to progress and grow, we stagnate.

By expanding our minds, challenging our deep-set habits and traditions we begin to see things as they could be as opposed to just how they are we. All great inventions that have improved lives for generations were founded on the concept of questioning the status quo and asking “is there a better way?”.

From candle light to the light bulb. From horse drawn carriages to the automobile. From the typewriter to the computer. Every single innovation began with a simple question…”why?” and the follow-up question “is there a better way?”

“Why” is one of the most powerful words that allow us to see beyond our current perspective…the one that is limited by the invisible boundaries that hold us back from growing and reaching our full potential.

Why?

Why do we continue to do the same things in the same way, day after day, year after year without opening our minds to the possibilities that would allow is to grow…to evolve?

This leads to the next important question…”What if?”.

What if we were to expand our thinking…to truly “listen” to new ideas that challenge our current thinking, our accepted norms, our traditions? How might this impact our ability to evolve into a greater version of ourselves or our organization?

When we don’t open our minds up to new ideas, new ways of looking at things we stop growing. We grow when we stop rationalizing and accepting the status quo and are close-minded to new ideas that challenge the self-imposed boundaries that hold us captive.

We grow when we confront our resistance to change and have the courage to ask the questions…”Why” and “What if”!

Growth and progress take courage, especially when confronted with intense opposition in the form of cognitive dissonance from those that resist change at all costs, clinging to the status quo regardless of the potential benefits of change.

Who will be that person with the courage, fortitude and vision to push beyond the noise and the opposition to achieve growth, to push to greater heights, and to evolve into a greater version of ourselves?