I’m Fine, Thanks. Are you Settling for Mediocrity?

Some time ago I saw poster of a gazelle and a lioness at a watering hole only a meter or so apart. The gazelle is drinking in peace, completely oblivious that the lioness is staring at it.

The title of the poster? Complacency.

The tagline? Apathy comes before calamity. Look it up.

When you look up the definitions for those two words here's what you’ll find:

Apathy: Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference.

Calamity: An event that brings terrible loss, lasting distress, or severe affliction; a disaster.

Interesting, isn’t it?

How many times have we become complacent in our lives?  Not striving for our dreams? Settling for mediocrity?

The Inspiration for this Article

Before I continue, I’d like to share the two events that inspired me to write this article.

First, I attended a local networking breakfast with some small business owners and entrepreneurs. In addition to the great conversations and the new relationships, their stories inspired me to work on my own story.

Second, a couple of friends/business colleagues posted a movie trailer on Facebook about a documentary on complacency called I’m Fine, Thanks.

In it, the film’s creators made a trip across the country interviewing people and examining what motivates and drives our life choices.

It seemed to me that it was time to share a little bit about my story and how I kicked complacency to the curb.

Keeping Up with the Joneses

I, too, got caught up with trying to “keep up with the Joneses.” A lot was going for me – marriage, beautiful 3-bedroom home in the suburbs, steady 9-5 sales job. I thought life was pretty good…but there was something still missing.

My job was not inspiring.  I fought resentment at my lack of drive and unwillingness to chase my dreams and passions. My complacency led to various problems both personally and professionally.

That changed when I quit my job to start a website development company with a good friend and business partner in 2007.

This was my first entrepreneurial venture. To say it was scary is an understatement, but I jumped in head first and learned a lot…through trial and error and numerous mistakes.

For me, it was the best decision I could have ever made. It changed my life – personally and professionally.

Time to Keep Up with My Aspirations

I got divorced, moved to a different city with ridiculous rents, and started growing multiple businesses which had nothing to do with my university degree.

The best part? I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.

It’s not to say that I didn’t experience significant and tough changes over those early years. I never expected my life to go in that direction.

Yet, each painful and challenging moment made me stronger, happier, and more motivated to keep pursuing my passions and aspirations.

I chose, and continue to choose, to never be satisfied with complacency again. Each morning, I wake excited to face the day. I love where I am personally and professionally and am continually inspired by those around me who also refuse to become complacent.

For me, the future is bright. I am excited for what comes next including the numerous online businesses that I’m building on all on topics I’m passionate about, want to learn, or want to get better at. (E.g., speaking, health and fitness, relationships, travel, sports, etc.)

Your Turn

Do you say things like, “I can’t stand my job” or “I just can’t do this anymore”?

Maybe it’s time to kick complacency to the curb.

For a little inspiration, check out the movie trailer for I’m Fine, Thanks. It could be the kick in the pants to you need to get moving and make some new decisions in your life.

Here’s an excerpt about the film, as well:

“I’m Fine, Thanks is a, feature-length documentary about complacency. It’s a collection of stories about life, the choices we all make, and the paths we ultimately decide to follow.

We examine the factors that motivate and drive our major life choices. And, most importantly, whether or not the path we follow through life – and the habits we form based on that path – are truly connected with who we really are as individuals.

This is a movie about the moment people realize the life they’re living is not the life that’s true to their heart…and, as a result, what they decide to do about it!”

CLICK HERE to watch the video on Amazon.

I’m still writing my story…what about you? How can we inspire others to take action in their lives?

Let me know if you’ve said “enough is enough” and took action to follow your dreams.