Try it, you might not like it! Said no marketing campaign, ever.

Members of Plankind will be aware that this company and this Philosopher-In-Residence are minded to do things differently however. This fortnight, I’m going to deploy Lady Macbeth-esque persuasive powers in convincing you that sometimes, sure bets aren’t the best bet.

Is Your Status Quo So-So?

When I work with Make Me A Plan clients, whether businesses or individuals, one of the questions I most frequently ask (as a critical friend, not an incredulous interloper, I hasten to add!) is: Why do you do that?

Typical answers are: I’ve just always done it that way. I’ve never really thought about doing it differently. It ain’t broke. It’s part of a schedule that affects colleagues/customers/relatives.

These are certainly valid, and may even be vital reasons. But, as inquisitive human beings, do we wait for things to break or become outmoded, or do we keep them in good condition or see what’s innovative on the horizon?

Is your comfort zone actually comfortable, or is it just easy? When I started thinking about setting up my own business, I was wedded to my “comfort” zone. But actually, the only attribute that was truly comfortable, was knowing exactly what salary would go into my bank account each month (and, would-be entrepreneurs, NB while you may love and relish some if not all of the other aspects of being your own boss, in the early years, you certainly will never reflect and think that actually a set amount of money each month was a bad thing).

I let that attribute rank above the things that definitely weren’t comfortable or easy – long commute. Set permitted hours of work. Not having a team to manage or progression opportunities.

So what finally broke that chain? It came down to asking myself the same questions, but framed in a different way. Try this on yourself.

Instead of asking yourself “Do I mind spending 12 hours a week commuting?”, think about the opportunity cost. Ask yourself “Is the reason my lower back is always stiff because I spend so much time sitting in a car or at a desk?” Or “Do I spend more hours commuting than I do socialising, week in, week out?” “In 20 years’ time, if I continue in this habit, will I feel pleased that this is the way I spent those years?”

Three years ago, I decided that the 353 days a year I didn’t get that comfy monthly salary were probably more important than the 12 days a year I did. I’ve found things I loved, and things I didn’t like along the way, and I’ll keep asking myself those questions and trying things I might not like along the way.

Next fortnight, I’ll be musing On The Big Stuff  - it is a philosophy blog, after all.

Please get in touch with any particular aspects of this topic you’d like me to write about.

In the meantime,

Happy Planning

PS If you want some other free tips for your business life, check out the Working Well blog – out fortnightly on Wednesdays, courtesy of Make Me A Plan’s Productivity Expert, Penny Le Kelly. Browse the latest edition here: https://www.makemeaplan.com/news/greed-is-not-sporting-in-any-business/