challenging the status quo
Challenging the status quo has been on my mind for the last few days.
Why do we do things the way we do them?
Why do we do things and not even question why we do them that way?
Who decided how we do these things?
What would happen if we decided to do something different from the way we’ve always done it?
Now, not everything that makes up the status quo we abide by is bad. In fact, many of the things we unconsciously do should be done precisely the way they are done–for example, we don’t really think about driving on the right side of the road, and I hope no one wakes up today and decides they want to drive on the left side (for those of us in the States). It’s good for our driving status quo not to be challenged.
When challenging the status quo, don’t just focus on big or societal norms; also consider your personal norms and those that affect fewer people. The truth is that changing your personal status quo — or those in your community — will have a far greater impact on you and those close to you than trying to change a status quo ingrained in everyone. You also don’t know what the compounding impact could be from your smaller change—if someone sees you make a change, they make a change, and someone sees them change, they make a change…
This morning, the artist Navy Blue released his latest album, which I’ve been looking forward to since I found out it was coming out last week. An album release may not seem like a big deal, but today almost all new albums are released on Fridays—the status quo for musicians is to drop new music on Fridays. I’m not sure who in the music industry made this decision, when it was made, or why. When I was growing up, new music always dropped on Tuesdays, and I don’t remember when it changed.
But Navy Blue decided he wanted to drop his album on 11/11 (I haven’t been able to find the reason, but I’m sure there is a personal one) and wasn’t going to follow the status quo.
Does a Tuesday album change the world?
Of course not.
But, I imagine being able to drop his album when he wanted to made him happier, and the project felt more authentic than if he'd dropped it on Friday like everyone else. And to the best of my knowledge, there’s no real reason to drop on Friday other than that’s what everyone else does, so why not do what made him happier and felt right?
Challenging the status quo doesn’t mean you have to change it. Maybe as you reflect on why you do something, you are ok with the answer—then keep doing it that way. But I think having an understanding and consciously choosing to continue doing something the way you always have is an important part of pursuing your Authentic Life because it brings more awareness and can help highlight what is truly authentic to you.
Try it.
As you go about your day, take a moment to reflect on why you are doing what you are doing, who decided that it should be that way, whether it needs to be, and ask if there is a different way you want to do it.
See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,
JC
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