The "But We've Always Done It This Way" Trap
You know, I've been thinking a lot about this phrase lately. "But we've always done it this way." It's a sentence that can stop progress in its tracks. And I think it's time we explore why we say it, what it's costing us, and how we can break free from this way of thinking.
So, have you ever found yourself in a meeting, and someone throws out a new idea, and someone else says, "But we've always done it this way"? What's really going on there? Is it just a harmless phrase, or is there something more to it?
I think what's happening is that we're afraid. We're afraid of change, afraid of the unknown, afraid that if we try something new, it might not work. And that fear is holding us back.
But here's the thing: the world is changing fast. Technology is advancing, new ideas are emerging, and if we're not adapting, we're falling behind. And I'm not just talking about businesses or organizations – I'm talking about us, as individuals.
When we say "But we've always done it this way," we're not just resisting change – we're also resisting learning. We're saying, "I don't need to learn anything new. I've got this figured out." But the truth is, we can always learn more. We can always improve.
So, how do we break free from this way of thinking? First, we need to acknowledge our fear. We need to say, "You know what? I'm scared of change. But I'm going to face that fear, and I'm going to try something new."
Second, we need to start asking questions. Instead of saying "But we've always done it this way," let's ask, "Why do we do it this way?" "Is there a better way?" "What if we tried something new?"
And finally, we need to celebrate our failures. Because when we try something new, we're not always going to succeed. But that's okay. That's where the learning happens.
So, let's make a pact to ourselves. Let's agree to challenge this phrase, to challenge our own thinking, and to embrace change. Because when we do, we might just discover new possibilities, new opportunities, and a new way of thinking.