Motivation: The Cure for Complacency

Q. I've always tried to work hard enough to provide for my family and be content. The problem is, when I'm content, I get complacent, and everything starts to fall apart. How do I keep going and avoid getting complacent?

A. There's nothing wrong with feeling content. It's something that we all strive for in life.

The problem comes, as you have so well stated, when we drift from contentment into complacency. Let me give you an example of the results of complacency, and then how to overcome it.

I recently heard Clay Shiver, former FSU All-American center and former center for the NFL Dallas Cowboys, speak about complacency.

When he got to the NFL, Shiver, who played center, was the only starter on the offense who wasn't an All-Pro player. The team also had won three out of the last four Super Bowls.

The year he started, the Cowboys posted a record of 6 wins and 10 losses. Shiver said he thought the reason for such a bad season was that the team had gotten complacent, had lost its hunger. He remembered being in the huddle where two All-Pro Super Bowl champions talked about how they couldn't wait until the season was over so they could go on a fancy trip. They lost the next five games.

That's the best example of complacency I think I could offer you.

I can sum up the cure in just one word. Ready?

Ants.

That's right, a-n-t-s, ants. One of the benefits of having kids is you get to watch their favorite videos hundreds of times. In the movie "Bug's Life" the ants teach us at least five strategies for dealing with complacency.

1. Ants never, ever give up

Put something in front of them, and they will get around it, over it, under it or through it. If one way doesn't work, they will try another. If that way does not work, they will try still another way. And so on until they find a way around the obstacle.

There's nothing wrong with feeling content. It's something that we all strive for in life.

2. Ants are always getting ready for what's next

They don't ever rest on their laurels. In the summer, they are thinking about the winter and getting ready for it.

3. Ants are creatively industrious and resourceful

Ants don't complain about not having the right tools to do what needs to be done. They take what is available right in front of them and find a way to make it work.

4. Ants are always hopeful

In the winter, when they are holed up in their little ant mound, they are using what they stored up all summer and know that as cold as it is, summer is coming, and they are getting ready for it.

5. Ants don't seem to believe in the concept of enough

They store up all that they can for the winter. You have seen the acronym on restaurant signs AYCE. I used to think that must be some kind of special brand of food. It took me forever to figure out that it stands for All You Can Eat.

Instead of focusing on All You Can Eat, I think we would do better to focus on what the ants do, AYCD, which stands for All You Can Do.

If you constantly follow these five tips, you will consistently beat complacency. Think of it as being content and always hungry to make things better.

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.

---

5 Ways To Feel Super-Optimistic: Tips for Your Health, Wealth, & Career Success

Optimism is the hidden key to your personal and business... Read More

Top 4 Reasons Women Ride The ?Emotional Roller-Coaster?

1. Women have learned and are in the habit of... Read More

Ambitiously Pursuing Your Own Self

(Excerpted from The Power of Ambition series)What is the origin... Read More

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone - Before Its Too Late

Think about what you're doing each day and ask yourself... Read More

Have A Crack!

For everyone the New Year is now in full swing.... Read More

Even Though

As often happens following one of the Best Year Yet... Read More

Why Do We Need Our Addictions?

If money is considered to be the root of all... Read More

Make Motivation Stick

Motivation is the elusive elixir. Not only does it help... Read More

What You Can Do About Procrastination

Goals stalled? Always running behind? Stuck in a rut?Procrastination means... Read More

The Time To Start Working On Your Dream is Now - Not Later

Most of us are hesitant to start anything because we... Read More

Who are they to say it cant be done?

Doesn't it just burn you up when you have just... Read More

Motivation and Change: Creating Your Daily Success Program

I get some of my best ideas for my column... Read More

7 Tips to Keep up Your New Year Resolutions

There are many people who enthusiastically make their New Year... Read More

Challenge Yourself - Stretch Your Boundaries Daily!

Many times we fall into a sedentary lifestyle because we... Read More

Planting Seeds of Action

Recently, I was driving past a local nursery and saw... Read More

It Is Up To You

One of the first things successful people realize is the... Read More

Life Rewards Action

Thinking is good, yes it is. I strongly encourage thinking.... Read More

Does Your Battery Need Recharging?

A technical support person in a pager company tells the... Read More

Mountain-Moving Momentum

It can be challenging to think about going to the... Read More

Rut Busting

IntroductionWordNet defines a rut as a groove or furrow (especially... Read More

A Formula For Improved Achievement

Your ability to perform in life is determined by a... Read More

Do You have a Dream?

Do you find yourself sitting at work longing to be... Read More

Seeing Through the Pain

We must all suffer one of two things: the pain... Read More

10 Easy Ways To Stop Procrastinating

It is counterproductive to concentrate on so many tasks that... Read More

Break Free

I received an email the other day from one of... Read More

Ten Tips to Create More Life for Your Life

When people begin to investigate career change, often they don't... Read More

Step Out

Living your successful life requires you to step out. I... Read More

Activity Versus Accomplishment

Each and every day, all of us continually search for... Read More

The Road Less Traveled

Can someone please tell me why it is that men... Read More

Miracles are Your Responsibility

Miracles are your responsibility! What does that mean? Simple...You have... Read More

How To Win Over Your Fears

If you really want to do something you will always... Read More

Procrastination: Hypnosis Can Help You Overcome It

I recently saw a t-shirt with the following saying: "Procrastinate... Read More

Motivation By Kicking Butt

Some people respond to being yelled at and even sworn... Read More