Introduction: The Danger of Complacency in Business and Life

In the Marine Corps, we have an infinite number of sayings passed down from one generation to the next. One that has always stuck with me is "Complacency kills." On the battlefield, a lack of awareness, preparation, or adaptation can cost lives. In business and life, complacency won’t kill you—but it will kill your growth, your success, and your potential.

The truth is, our brains lie to us every day about staying comfortable. They tell us that what we’re doing is "good enough," that there’s no need to change, that risk isn’t worth it. But sticking with what you’ve always done—even when better options exist—is the fastest way to fall behind.

I can’t tell you how many businesses I’ve seen still running on systems that stopped being supported not just years ago, but decades ago. I can’t tell you how easy it is for me to say, "No, I don’t want to do that. I’m comfortable right here, sitting on my ass, doing the same thing over and over." But then things slow down, and the warning signs show up. What do you do? Do you adapt and push forward, or do you stay stuck in the past?

Complacency doesn’t just affect business—it impacts every part of life. Have we let ourselves get out of shape? Have we stopped learning? Have we stopped training and only go to the range once a year? Have we stopped improving our systems for customers, even when we know they aren’t working as well as they should?

We have to be brutally honest with ourselves. I don’t recommend you lie to anyone—but especially don’t lie to yourself.

What Is Complacency and Why Is It Dangerous?

Complacency is the false sense of security that stops you from growing. It’s the business owner who says, "This is the way we’ve always done it." It’s the entrepreneur who ignores new technology because learning it feels like a hassle. It’s the leader who refuses to pivot, even when the signs are clear.

History is full of companies that died because of complacency:

• Blockbuster refused to adapt to digital streaming. Netflix took over.
• Kodak invented digital photography—but ignored it in favor of film. They lost billions.
• Sears dominated retail but didn’t invest in e-commerce. Now, they’re almost nonexistent.

The cost of complacency is high. In business, it means lost customers, declining revenue, and falling behind competitors who are willing to change when you aren’t. In life, it means missed opportunities, personal decline, and waking up one day wondering why you’re stuck in the same place.

The Lies Your Brain Tells You: Why Change Feels Hard

Your brain wants you to stay comfortable. It tells you things like:

• "I don’t need to change this system—it still works!"
• "Learning something new is too much work."
• "What if I fail? I’d rather not risk it."

But the truth is, the world doesn’t care if you stay comfortable. The market doesn’t care if you refuse to evolve. Your competitors don’t care if you’re too lazy to make improvements.

If you want growth—in business, in fitness, in life—you have to push back against those lies.

Signs You’re Stuck in Complacency Mode

How do you know if complacency has crept into your business or personal life? Look for these red flags:

✅ Your technology or systems are outdated. You’re still running on software from 2005, or worse, using pen and paper to do things a computer could handle in seconds.

✅ You ignore customer feedback. You get complaints or suggestions, but instead of making changes, you brush them off.

✅ You’ve stopped learning. When was the last time you read a book, took a course, or learned something new in your industry?

✅ You’re coasting. Your business is surviving, but you’re not actively working to improve it.

✅ You make excuses instead of decisions. Every time someone suggests a change, you think, "That’s too much work," or "I’ll get to it later."

How to Break Free from Complacency and Drive Growth

Breaking out of complacency isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Conduct an Honest Audit

• Take a hard look at your business and life.
• Ask: What’s the one thing I’ve been ignoring that could make a huge difference?
• Write down areas where you know you’re stuck.

Step 2: Embrace Discomfort and Change

• Growth comes from discomfort, not ease.
• Pick one bold change to make in your business—maybe it’s upgrading your payment system, automating a manual process, or finally launching that marketing campaign you’ve been putting off.
• Don’t wait for the perfect moment—take action now.

Step 3: Adopt a Continuous Improvement Mindset

• Understand that failure is part of progress. If something doesn’t work, adjust and try again.
• Keep learning. Read books, listen to podcasts, go to industry events.
• Track results. Data doesn’t lie—use it to guide your decisions instead of sticking with what "feels right."
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A Challenge to Small Business Owners: Fix One Thing Today

I’ll leave you with this challenge:

👉 Find one area where you’ve been complacent and make a change this week.

Maybe it’s updating your website, learning a new tool, fixing a broken system, or just admitting that something isn’t working. Whatever it is, take action.

Change may lead to success—or failure. But doing nothing guarantees that nothing changes.

Complacency kills. Discipline and action keep you ahead.

Final Thought: Are You Ready to Take Action?

• Share your thoughts: What’s one area where you’ve been complacent?
• What’s your plan to change it?
• If you found this helpful, share it with another business owner who needs to hear it.

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