When we were babies, complacency wasn't an option. A baby is totally dependent on its parents. If it became complacent it would remain dependent on them forever.

Babies and young children don't want that dependency. They have an insatiable curiosity to learn. They work hard all day; trying to absorb as much knowledge as they can.

They need to. They live in a frustrating universe where they struggle to get what they want. If there is a rattle the other side of the room, not only can they not walk over to it and grab it, they can't even ask anyone to do it for them.

Step by step, they acquire the knowledge and skills that will get them what they want.

As their awareness grows, they realise that there is more to life than rattles. They want toys, friends, goals, home-runs, pocket money, good grades, money, a job, sex, cars, a partner, a house and eventually children of their own.

The motivation to get these things is strong; and so many people go for them that achieving them seems possible.

But beyond common goals like these, most people don't explore.

They should, because there is much more to discover.

When no longer forced to learn, many don't

The trouble is: when life becomes tolerable, most people stop. They become complacent.

Unfortunately, most of us spend very little of our time investing in our future. We spend our time in our comfort zone. Doing things we know will be easy, and putting off more difficult tasks for a later date; or perhaps discarding the idea totally.

The things that we are worst at, are often the things that will benefit us most. They are the things that are holding us back. But we resist improving on them, because we don't like doing them. Sometimes we actually fear them.

As babies we are forced to learn. We simply couldn't cope if we didn't learn certain skills. Never learn to talk, for example, and it becomes much more difficult to make requests or to communicate what it is you want.

But we reach a certain stage where we stop trying because life has become easy enough for us. Society stops forcing us to progress. We know enough to get some kind of job, to make a few friends, and to look after our basic needs.

Beyond Complacency

Humans have the ability to look ahead. We can see into the possible future and predict what life could be like. And this gives us the vision to learn more, and make ourselves better.

How many of us live without the prospect of another argument? How many of us truly know our friends deeply? How many of us are living our dreams? How many of us live without fear of crime, or illness?

When we grow, we make our lives, and the lives of those we affect, easier. We learn to make better decisions and we influence other people to make better decisions.

When you are complacent, you stand still while the world moves forward. Every so often the world reminds you that you are lagging and you have to pick up the pace and catch up again.

At its most extreme complacency can lead to divorce, bankruptcy, joblessness and even death. A marriage well not last if the relationship is not worked on. A simple credit card bill can be put off, but will gradually grow into more than you can handle. Staying stationary in your work while the business changes, will leave you worthless and jobless. Smoking, over eating, or no exercise will lead to premature death.

When these things happen - when they become a problem - it is extremely difficult to rectify the situation.

You have to think of these things now. And when you do, not only will you prevent a lot of future problems, you will also bring more luxury and ease to your present life.

Becoming complacent about these things sends us down an ever increasing negative spiral. But saving your money, learning more about your industry and getting healthy, will have exponential benefits.

Improving your core intelligence is one of the greatest opponents to complacency. Babies have the right idea. Without fear, they learn to conquer their biggest weaknesses, and when they do they become that little bit more independent. Learning makes you a more powerful person than you were before you gained that knowledge. The more wisely you choose what you learn, the more powerful you become. It literally makes you more than you were before you learnt it. It will make your future that little bit easier and that little bit more productive.

Raise your awareness of what is possible. Become just that little bit dissatisfied with what you are now. Dare to dream. Wonder what you can become.

It's time for you to re-experience that passion you had as a child.

It's time for you to be reborn.