I have had some big wins this year and every time one came along I took a moment to celebrate and enjoy the buzz of the win, taking a breath and feel like I deserved a little pause.
At one particular moment I suddenly had the realisation that I'd been on pause for a little bit too long. As I reflected I realised I needed to get back up and cracking again.
Have you ever paused to enjoy the fruits of your hard work and then realised you’ve been “pause”-ing for far too long? Maybe you’ve rested on your laurels, celebrating achievements for just a little bit too long and you forget to get back out there and set a new goal to achieve and get back into the zone of striving. It happens to the best of us. But the good news? It’s never too late to stand up, dust them off, and start moving forward again.
Sitting on your laurels can feel deceptively safe. After all, you worked hard to earn them, and it’s only natural to want to bask in the glow of successes. However, when comfort turns into complacency, you risk stalling personal growth and missing new opportunities. Life isn’t about staying in one place; it’s about embracing the journey, the challenges, and the changes that come with stepping beyond what you’ve already accomplished.
The Cost of Staying Too Comfortable
When we sit on our laurels for too long, we can start to stagnate. Opportunities pass us by, and our confidence can even begin to erode. What once felt like a strong foundation can start to feel like quicksand, dragging us down rather than lifting us up.
Professionally, this might mean being overlooked for promotions or new projects. Personally, it can lead to a sense of restlessness or dissatisfaction, as though something is missing. And most importantly, it robs us of the chance to discover just how much more we’re capable of achieving.
Moving Forward
Getting off your laurels requires courage and a willingness to embrace change. It’s about recognising that while your past achievements are worth celebrating, they are not the end of your story.
Here’s how:
Reset: Take stock of what you’ve achieved and ask yourself what’s next. What excites you? What challenges could push you further?
Learn and Grow: Seek out opportunities to learn new skills or expand your knowledge. Growth is the antidote to stagnation.
Embrace Discomfort: Growth often lies just beyond our comfort zones. Challenge yourself to take risks, even if they feel intimidating.
Set Fresh Goals: Identify new milestones to work toward and create a plan to achieve them.
So, stand up, stretch, and take that first step. Life isn’t waiting for you to feel ready. The journey ahead promises to be just as rewarding as the one you’ve already traveled!
If you'd like someone to help you push to the next level our team of professional development coaches excel in this, feel free to reach out for a free discovery call and see how the right person in our team could help you.
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BSc.psychology
Diploma Professional Coaching
Certified Practitioner and Accreditation Coach Extended DISC ®
Blanchard Aotearoa NZ Affiliate
Marina is a coach, professional development expert, and facilitator who specialises in helping people and teams develop themselves so they can be the best version of themselves and conduct their personal and professional lives more effectively. Marina is based in Waiau, North Canterbury where she lives with her sheep and beef farmer husband and family.
Learn more about her HERE
If you or someone you know could benefit from learning about Social Emotional Intelligence please feel free to request my free EBOOK here "Yourself and Your People"
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