The Way We've Always Done It

We don't usually respond well to change.

Especially in tough economic times – when our company or home life is already tense and constricted.

When things get tense, people tend to hang on to what they know.  The status quo is known and safe, even if it does mean a downhill slide.  Why is hanging onto a boat anchor safer than striking out for dry land? That one eludes me. Especially when we're spiraling downward. Why don't we try something truly different?

The way we've always done it' is usually the reason we're in a mess.

That's one of the reasons I question everything, asking about the logic, the 'why' behind thoughts and processes involved in our business decisions.Sooner or later, I hear the same little answer.

"Because we’ve always done it that way."

Those seven little words cause so much trouble.  They lock us into our status quo, limiting our ability to evolve and grow.  Even as we're seeking a solution for our slump with the best intentions and focus- the way we've always done it drags us down and keeps us there.

The key to growth is to adapt and evolve. From Madonna to Apple - successful enterprises know they must reinvent themselves to thrive. We can’t reinvent ourselves while hanging onto the knowns of our past. If we want to thrive in today's dynamic world - in business or in our professional lives - we have to release our past and evolve.

It's really not that difficult to adapt. Start by questioning ‘why’ you do things the way you do. From the biggest strategic decisions to the smallest daily actions. Every time you hear that answer, “Because that's the way we’ve always done it,” – take another look.  Chances are you’ll find an opportunity for innovation and improvement, for a new way of thinking.