Change is one of life’s few constants, yet it’s also one of its greatest challenges. We often hear that change is necessary, inevitable, and even exciting. But there’s a hidden truth about change that we often overlook: it requires us to leave behind the comfort of what isn’t working. This truth, though difficult to accept, is crucial for genuine growth and transformation.

In my journey, both professionally and personally, I’ve faced this reality many times. One particular experience stands out, a moment when I realized the weight of this truth. Years ago, I was working with a team on a project that, despite all our efforts, was stuck in a cycle of mediocrity. We had brilliant people, innovative ideas, and ample resources, yet we couldn’t break through. Frustrated, I called a meeting to discuss what was holding us back.

As we delved into the discussion, it became clear that we were clinging to old ways of thinking – approaches that had once served us well but were no longer effective. We were trying to create something new, but we were bringing along the baggage of the past, holding on to the comfort of what was familiar, even though it was no longer working. It was a sobering realization.

Too often, when we embark on a new endeavor, whether in our careers, personal lives, or communities, we inadvertently carry with us the remnants of the very things that no longer serve us. We invest in new people, processes, and projects, hoping for different outcomes, only to find that we’ve recreated the same problems in a different form. It’s like moving from a house that’s beyond repair, only to seek out a new house that mirrors the old one – same number of rooms, similar layout, even the same quirks we had grown accustomed to.

But here’s the thing: if we don’t consciously choose to leave behind what isn’t working, we end up replicating the past. If the old house had bedrooms on the second floor, where everyone’s dirty feet trampled the carpet, then moving into a similar setup won’t solve the problem. Instead, this is the perfect opportunity to rethink the layout entirely – perhaps by having bedrooms on the main floor and replacing the carpet with something easier to maintain.

This example might seem simplistic, but it illustrates a critical point: we are often so tethered to what we know, to what we’ve always done, that we fail to see how those very things may have contributed to our dissatisfaction. The old adage that “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” rings true here. When we cling to the comfort of what is familiar, even when it isn’t working, we limit our potential for real, meaningful change.

In my work as a coach, mentor, and strategist, I’ve encountered this dynamic time and again. Clients come to me seeking transformation – whether in their businesses, their careers, or their personal lives – but they often struggle to let go of the very things that have held them back. They want new outcomes but are hesitant to leave behind the comfort of old ways. And it’s not just about systems and processes; it’s also about how we approach these systems and processes, how we set them up, and how we engage with them.

There was a moment early in my career when I faced a crossroads that tested this very principle. I had been working in a role that, on paper, was everything I had worked towards. But something was missing. I realized that while the position was prestigious and the work fulfilling, I was operating within a framework that stifled innovation. The processes were outdated, the approach was rigid, and despite my best efforts, I was continuously bumping up against barriers that kept me from doing my best work.

It wasn’t until I made the difficult decision to leave that role and pursue something entirely different that I truly began to understand the power of letting go. I had to leave behind not just the job, but the comfort of the title, the security of the paycheck, and the familiarity of the routine. It was terrifying, but it was also the best decision I ever made. I ended up taking a role in a different sector, in a completely unfamiliar domain, where the work was a 180 degrees different from what I had done for the bulk of the decade before. It allowed me to embrace new challenges, learn new skills, and ultimately grow in ways I never could have imagined.

This experience taught me that real growth requires us to be brutally honest with ourselves. We must acknowledge the things that are no longer working and have the courage to leave them behind, even when they’re comfortable, familiar, and safe. We must be intentional in questioning the status quo, in challenging our assumptions, and in being open to the discomfort that comes with true change. Sometimes, it’s not the people we perceive as the problem who are the issue at all. Instead, the real issues are more fundamental and often go unacknowledged. If we don’t recognize and address these root causes, we end up bringing them forward into whatever new solution we’ve devised, effectively recreating the same challenges we sought to overcome.

So, how do we break this cycle? How do we ensure that we’re not simply replicating the past under a new guise?

The answer lies in intentionality. We must be deliberate in questioning the status quo, in challenging our assumptions, and in being open to the discomfort that comes with true change. We must ask ourselves not just what needs to change, but why it needs to change, and how we can do things differently to achieve better results.

This approach requires courage. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones and into the unknown. It requires us to be honest with ourselves about what hasn’t worked and to be willing to leave those things behind, even when they’re familiar and safe.

But the reward is worth the effort. By embracing change fully – by leaving behind the comfort of what isn’t working – we open ourselves up to new possibilities, new opportunities, and new ways of living and working that can lead to greater fulfillment and success.

As someone who has spent years in business design, and strategic leadership, I’ve seen first hand how powerful this shift can be. When we let go of what no longer serves us, we create space for innovation, growth, and genuine transformation. We allow ourselves to build something better, something that truly aligns with our values, our goals, and our aspirations.

In the end, change is not just about moving from one place to another or replacing one system with another. It’s about fundamentally rethinking how we live, work, and engage with the world around us. It’s about being willing to ask the tough questions, to challenge the comfort of what we’ve always known, and to embrace the possibilities that come with doing things differently.

So, the next time you find yourself on the brink of change, take a moment to reflect. Ask yourself: Am I truly ready to leave behind the comfort of what isn’t working? Am I prepared to embrace the discomfort of the unknown in pursuit of something better? If the answer is yes, then you’re on the path to real, meaningful change – change that can transform not just your life, but the lives of those around you.

And that, in the end, is what growth is all about.