Creature Of Habit …

I have a confession to make. I’m a creature of habit. My wife, kids and friends could have told you that years ago.

Every time we go to a restaurant, I tell myself, “Tonight I’m going to try something different.” I open the menu with excitement. I study every page like I’m preparing for a final exam. I read the daily specials. I consider all the possibilities. Then the waiter comes over and, wait for it, I order the same thing I always get. Every. Single. Time. Now don’t get me wrong. Occasionally I’ll branch out and order something different. Sometimes I even discover a new favorite. But before long, I’m right back to my trusty go to meal, smiling as if I’d made a brilliant culinary decision.

Then there are parking spaces. You know the one. Not the one with your name on it because, of course, there isn’t one. But it’s your parking spot anyway. Whether I’m at the grocery store or a place I visit regularly, I tend to park in the same general area every time. So when someone is already parked there, I find myself thinking, “Really? Out of this entire parking lot, you had to choose my spot?” No, I don’t actually say anything. I simply smile, park three spaces away, and silently question their life choices.

Then there’s my spot on the couch. If someone is sitting there when I get home, I happily give them a hug and ask how they’re doing. But deep down I’m thinking, “Well this evening has certainly taken an unexpected turn.”

Don’t even get me started on when someone moves the TV remote. Or puts the scissors somewhere “logical.” Or rearranges the kitchen drawer. Apparently, “logical” and “where I’ve always known it to be” are two completely different things.

The truth is, routines aren’t necessarily bad. In fact, they’re often helpful and sometimes simplify life and save time. They remove unnecessary decisions from our day. But every now and then I wonder if I’m so comfortable doing things the same way that I might be missing something even better.

Maybe every once in a while it’s healthy to park somewhere else. Sit somewhere different. Or heaven forbid, order something besides my usual.

So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!

One of the biggest reasons people struggle online isn’t because they lack talent or work ethic. Often, it’s because we become creatures of habit.

We keep doing the same things because they’re familiar. We post the same type of content. We stick with the same routines. We avoid trying something new because what we’re already doing feels comfortable, even if it isn’t producing the results we’re hoping for.

Now, don’t misunderstand me. Consistency is one of the greatest strengths you can have in business. Showing up every day, writing your blog, sending your emails, serving your audience and learning a little more each week are all habits worth protecting.

The danger comes when we confuse consistency with refusing to adapt. Sometimes the opportunity we’ve been praying for is waiting just outside the routine we’ve become so comfortable living in.

Maybe it’s finally starting that YouTube channel or maybe it’s creating short videos. Maybe it’s beginning a blog or maybe it’s building an email list. Maybe it’s asking for help instead of trying to figure everything out on your own.

None of those things feel comfortable the first time. Neither does ordering something you’ve never tried before. But sometimes the best discoveries begin with a little discomfort. I’ve learned that growth usually lives just outside our routines.

You don’t have to abandon everything that’s working. Keep your good habits. Just leave room to develop a few new ones. Who knows? That thing you’ve been hesitant to try today may become the habit you’re grateful for tomorrow.

Five Reminders When Your Routine Becomes Too Comfortable

1. Comfort can quietly become complacency. The easiest thing to do is keep doing what we’ve always done. The problem is that easy doesn’t always lead to growth.
2. New experiences often reveal better opportunities. You’ll never discover a better path if you refuse to step off the one you’re already on.
3. Growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone. Most breakthroughs begin with someone willing to try something that feels unfamiliar.
4. Successful businesses never stop learning. The online world changes constantly. The people who continue learning are usually the ones who continue growing.
5. Good habits should support your goals, not limit them. Build routines that move you forward but never become so attached to them that you miss an even better opportunity. When I stop and think about it, the goal isn’t to change for the sake of changing. The goal is to stay teachable.

Some habits deserve to stay because they’ve earned their place in our lives. Others may simply be routines we’ve never stopped to question. Every once in a while, it’s worth asking yourself, “Am I doing this because it’s the best way or simply because it’s the way I’ve always done it?” That one question might open a door you never knew was there.

One of the reasons I’ve continued growing in my own online business is because I’ve surrounded myself with people who challenge me to think differently. That’s exactly what I’ve found inside the Internet Profits Academy. It’s more than just training. It’s a community of people learning together, encouraging one another, sharing ideas, and helping each other build online businesses without having to figure everything out alone. One of the things I really like is that there’s now a FREE Membership Option. If you’ve been curious about starting an online business or simply want to see what’s available, it’s a great opportunity to explore, learn, and become part of a community before deciding where you’d like to go next.

So tell me, what are you a creature of habit about? Leave a comment below. I have a feeling I’m not the only one who’s convinced someone keeps parking in “my” parking space.

My wife looked at me and said, “For someone who says he likes adventure, you sure get nervous when somebody moves the TV remote.” Then she smiled and added, “I’m thinking about rearranging the living room this weekend. If nothing else, it’ll either help you grow or give you something to write about next week.”

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” – Albert Einstein

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller

And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:

I love trying new things, as long as they’re exactly like the old things.

My wife says I’m predictable. I told her, “I knew you were going to say that.”

Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!