“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”
We’ve all heard that phrase before. It becomes an excuse for not innovating, for not changing. It can be a powerful excuse for staying the course.
But, I actually think we need to change that phrase. I don’t think it’s actually the problem.
I think there is another phrase most of us are accidentally living by. I think most of us, and I include myself in that statement, get stuck in the trap of:
“If it’s broke don’t fix”
Wait what? Don’t you always fix what’s broke,?
One would think. Why wouldn’t you fix something that is broken?
Because…
It’s familiar…
It’s comfortable…
You may not like it, but you know how to deal with it…
It allows you to settle and not put yourself out there…
In fact, this weekend I had a very personal experience with that last statement about settling.
Here’s what happened…
I ran 26.2 miles in the Denver Colfax Marathon. Ok, occasionally I had to walk too…;)
I don’t consider myself a runner, in running shape, or even really someone that likes running. I did it for the challenge.
But, here’s what happened…
At about mile 7 I found myself running almost side by side with another runner that looked like he was the cover model for a fitness magazine. My fifty year old wide hips and aching feet couldn’t believe I had caught up to this twenty-something uber fit half human marathoner.
I know you shouldn’t compare yourself to others and run your own race but I couldn’t help it. He looked like he should be coming into the finish at an astounding pace barely breaking a sweat and I run like a duck.
I caught up to him. So, did I pass him?
No.
I could have. My pace was slightly faster than his.
But my Bernard (my primal brain and negative chatter) said,
“Hey if he’s running this pace, you should be ok running his pace too, maybe even slower. He obviously should beat you ( I mean look at him) so you should feel good about slowing down and falling back behind him.”
And that’s exactly what I did. I slowed down, dropped behind him and became content knowing that this guy should obviously be in front of me. Who am I to run past him? That would make no sense.
This went on for about half a mile. He would slow down, so I would slow down.
Then I realized the absurdity of the situation. I have no clue who this guy is or what he was dealing with. And who says I shouldn’t be a faster runner? Who made up this rule…oh yeah, Bernard!
Why was I settling and letting this guy dictate my pace? Why was I ok with letting a broken thought decide my results?
So, I fixed it.
I kicked my legs into gear and ran right past him, giving him a “see you at the finish line” as I ran by.
I hope he finished strong!
The point is there are places across our work, our routines, our habits, and our lives where we settle for broken and don’t even realize it. Things that we consider good enough, but aren’t when you look closely.
It’s that loose door handle that you never bother to fix because you know if you jiggle two times left and then lift it up, it works well enough…
It’s that project at work that doesn’t quit get the traction it deserves but a snail’s pace is better than no pace (at least that’s what we tell ourselves)…
It’s the morning habit of jumping onto email and getting stressed out before we even take our first sip of coffee…
It’s that situation that we can’t seem to resolve but the opportunity seems to far out of reach…
It’s that desire you’ve had to start your own thing but the risk seems big and things are pretty good the way they are…
What do you say we fix some things that are broken.
Actually, I like to think of it as breaking things and putting them back together again.
Let’s break the habits and routines that aren’t serving you…
The results that aren’t good enough…
Let’s see your challenges in a new light…
Let’s seize the opportunities that have been out of reach…
Let’s ignite your Everyday Innovator edge.
Let’s create some breakthroughs.
Join the June Challenge and let’s make it happen, together
I hope sharing my story helps you think about where you might be settling for less than you desire and deserve.
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