Complacency is a sneaky thing, mainly because it starts off with a positive feeling. You may have just done something phenomenal, reached a significant goal, or achieved a big success. Understandably, you take some time to revel in the “not doing” that comes after an accomplishment; that period of self-satisfaction and celebration.

Complacency Kills

But what happens if you don’t come out of the haze of success? You move on, of course, but without the same sense of urgency, the drive and the tenacity that helped you achieve your big win in the first place. You start to lose your focus, your direction.

Then, you wake up one morning and realize you missed out on a huge opportunity; you are unbelievably bored with your work; or you no longer have any idea where you’re going, or even where you want to go.

You became complacent, and it’s starting to kill your passion.

It’s Time to Fight

So, what can you do to avoid complacency, or to snap yourself out of it when you suspect it might be starting to set up camp in your life? Here are some ideas to rekindle your passion (and end complacency):

• Rediscover your passion for what led to your previous success.
• Discover a new passion.
• Make a list of your successes to build some confidence.
• Set new goals, including a realistic plan and timeline.
• Stop accepting “good enough” and aim for great.
• Identify and solve a problem.
• Get an accountability partner.
• Stop making excuses and do something.

The trick is being able to see complacency before it completely takes over, and understanding that the kryptonite to complacency is simply DOING. If you’re doing something to move forward, you’re doing what it takes to end complacency.

What do you do to make sure you’re not becoming complacent?

Image credit: CS2x