Status quo: An enemy of change

In all areas of life, there is an inherent conservatism or resistance to change. 

This is mostly characterized by various sayings like, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” “The devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know,” “A bird at hand is worth more than one million in the forest” and so on. Respecting traditions should not blind us from striving to meet our constant needs as
well as to improve and embrace innovation.

Status quo is a Latin phrase that means “the state in which” but is commonly used to mean the present state. This phrase has been accepted in the English language since about 1830. It was said that “The status quo is the only solution that cannot be vetoed” while Ronald Reagan said, “The status quo is Latin, for the mess we’re in.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Myles Munroe once defined insanity as, doing the same thing in the same way over and over again and expecting different results. Status quo helps us do that. It makes us to resist creativity: not to try new things, prevents us from seeking opportunities to dare our fears. Status quo somehow boxes us from realizing our limitations.

The key is to make sure we don't get stuck with outcomes we don't want! The world is moving; we need new choices to make to give us hope and new realities. According to Bishop T.D. Jakes, ”Nothing just happen.” The real challenge is that when we resist and hesitate, or procrastinate in making decisions; we've actually decided. The more we can be aware of what we are doing, when and why we do what we do, the more likely we will decisively make different and better choices.

Think about this: the Status Quo is comforting! There is no effort required to maintain status quo; isn’t that right? Even when it is not to our liking, it is what we know, and therefore 'easier' to live with. For this reason, so many people are inadvertently 'standing still'. That is why I titled my previous article “Stop standing still.” When we keep working at the same job, living in the same city, and relating to the same people in the same way, we are maintaining the status quo.

We all need to challenge our status quo. If we must live impartful lives, we must challenge our status quo from time to time. We must swim against the tide once in a while or do so regularly like Elon Musk. We need to take steps, overcome our limitations, master our fears, dare the impossible and make things happen. The status quo will not change; we must change. Never give up.

Also read: Small Beginnings, Learning from Mistakes, A Pattern that Yields, Do More and Avoid Time Wasters