I have a bad habit. I tweak. Constantly.

I suspect that my type-A fascination with improvement is frustrating to my family and co-workers, perhaps nauseating, curious at best. I feel it too. Sometimes I feel like I can’t escape my OCD-esque brain.

But I am intrigued by making straight lines straighter. Even a laser beam has a margin of error. Continuous improvement is the gravity that attracts me to the activities and tools that I love: business, climbing and technology.

Which is why I am always surprised when I meet someone who does not want to change, does not want to improve. Typically, I am shocked into silence.

And it’s especially confusing when that same person craves change in the outside world, but doesn’t want to commit any of their own resources to the cause.

Then again, why would they? That would be uncomfortable.

Craving change, improvement or a better life, but not being willing to get outside of your comfort zone is the equivalent of wanting to be a millionaire, but not wanting to work. Or wanting to be fit, but not wanting to exercise. Or wanting to be a Formula One racer, but being fixated on using a Model T.

It just ain’t gonna happen.

The cost of change is temporary discomfort. The cost of status quo is not being successful, not being fit, not being fast. Worse yet, when viewed relative to the modern world that moves so blissfully fast, status quo puts you in a declining state. Forever.

Isn’t a little discomfort today (maybe even every day) worth all of the rewards that improvement will bring?

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