Business as Usual

Business as Usual

In a moment of crisis there can be comfort in saying, "it will be business as usual."  There is a problem or two with this, however.

The first is really understanding what our usual is, and the second is are we getting caught in the trap of complacency?

In our lives what is it that we would call typical, or business as usual?  For most of us it is going about our daily routines or, for some, lack of routines, and not being pushed into something different.  In large part this can be a good thing as when we form routines or habits then we simplify much of our life as these things become standard operating procedures.  The down side is we can become so ingrained in the habit that we fail to consider whether or not these habits/routines are actually accomplishing the things they were supposed to accomplish.

Are we meeting our definition of success?  Could it be that we have the wrong things in our life, or that the wrong things have been routinized?  This is where the complacency comes into the picture.  When we don't review our circumstance, and continue with business as usual that is complacency.  Complacency could also be looked at as stagnant, fixed, or stationary in this sense.  If we truly desire to succeed at life it requires assessment and reassessment.  Complacency will lead to disappointing results and an unfulfilled life.

We can apply this revelation to all facets of our life such as faith, family, finance, fitness, etc.  Each of these areas when put totally on autopilot will show chinks in our armor, so to speak, without periodic review and modification.  So here is your 

Success in Seventeen Checklist

1) What is Business as usual for my faith?

2) Is my faith growing in the right direction, or has it become stagnant and a burden?

3) What are changes that I can make to revitalize my faith?

4) How are my family relationships?

5) Are there habits I/we have created that are working counter to the growth of our family?

6) Are there new habits we can create to build better bonds?

7) What is Business as Usual in our finances?

8) Is it working?

9) How can I/we rethink our financial lives to bring more peace and stability?

10) Do we address our long-term needs?

11) How is my health and physical fitness today?

12) What am I doing that is running counter to my health?

13) Am I willing to live with the consequences of continuing in this path?

14) What is one thing, at least, that I can change today in order to change my direction toward a healthier future?

I firmly believe that if we would take a look at our lives by considering, honestly, these fourteen questions, then we can make a dramatic impact on the year to come.  On the other hand, we can do as most people and become oblivious until we are fully overtaken.  We have a choice, and if we want to succeed then we must be ready to shake up the Business as Usual mindset.

Will you hang onto the dismal direction of the past or Make Today Great!?