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First and foremost, I dislike the term "It is what it is." Hearing it makes me cringe. It's the ultimate cop-out, a poisonous acceptance of whatever life throws at you. Remove this statement from your vocal repertoire. Here's why this mindset is holding you back and how you can fix it.
Complacency: Killer of Ambition
Saying, "It is what it is," shows a sick level of acceptance. In this case, acceptance is a declaration of defeat. Complacency settles in, and you are satisfied with mediocrity. You accept that pushing yourself and not aiming to dig into the situation shows you will take whatever comes your way.
Before you surrender, ask yourself, "Do I need to accept this situation?" Turn that passive acceptance into active empowerment. Every time you catch yourself saying, "It is what it is," change it and denounce the statement. The more you do, the more conscious you will become of your statement and how limiting it is. Your life is your responsibility. Own it.
Death of Dreams
Ambition is and must be the fuel that drives us toward our dreams. But when you resign yourself to "It is what it is," you stifle action. You convince yourself that striving for more is not worth it, that your efforts are wasted. This mindset is a fast track to a life of unfulfilled potential.
Challenge yourself to dream big. Accept it as something other than terminal when you hit a stumbling block. Dig in. Trust your ability to influence outcomes through persistence and determination, and have a go. Don't let your dreams die because you were willing to accept what happened with or to you.
Dodging Responsibility
As brutal as this sounds, "It is what it is" is a dumb acceptance of mediocrity. It's a weak response and lets you off the hook by allowing you to avoid taking responsibility and action. In short, the quote blames external factors, absolving you of accountability.
Stop dodging responsibility. Everything in life is made up of our mistakes, setbacks, and successes; own it. It would help if you remembered that responsibility is one of the foundations of personal growth. By taking responsibility for what happens to us, we take control of our lives and outcomes. Be honest with yourself. Embrace setbacks, learn from them, and use them to activate your journey forward.
Accepting Defeat: Recipe for Regret
We all know that life is tough, but how you respond to these challenges defines who you are. "It is what it is" is the easy out when things get tough. Success and changing our circumstances aren't achieved by those who give up. They are achieved by those who are willing to fight back and who persist.
Commit to resilience. Every setback is an opportunity to prove your resilience. Don't accept defeat. Rise above it.
Stifling Growth: The Fixed Mindset Trap
A growth mindset ensures you develop your abilities through dedication and hard work. "It is what it is" neutralises this mindset. It suggests that your abilities are fixed and that effort is futile.
Cultivate a growth mindset. Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. See effort as the path to mastery. When you hit a snag, don't accept it as a limitation. Use it as a springboard to push yourself further. Believe in your ability to improve and evolve.
The Comfortable Lie
Many people accept comfort in staying what we need to change. But this comfort is misleading and a seductive trap that keeps you from reaching your true potential. True fulfilment comes from pushing beyond your limits, striving for excellence, and never settling for "what is."
Reject the lie. Embracing the discomfort of growth and challenging change will automatically trigger wanting and striving for more. Recognise that the journey to your best self is filled with obstacles but worth taking. Refrain from settling for the comfortable lie. Chase the exhilarating truth of your potential.
Why "It Is What It Is" Is the Worst Thing You Can Say: Final thoughts
Why "It Is What It Is" is the worst thing you can say? If you want to live a meaningful, influential life, remove the phrase "it is what it is". This statement represents poisonous acceptance, which limits you and stifles your future. To properly kick ass in life, you must replace it with terms like empowerment, ambition, accountability, resilience, development, and an unwavering pursuit of fulfilment. Refuse mediocrity and aim for that kick-ass attitude in your life. The next time you're tempted to say, "It is what it is," pause and pick an action-oriented mentality, resolve, and irrepressible desire. Your future self will appreciate you.
Live life on your terms. Don't let anything, anyone or YOU, hold you back. You've got this. Live life, be you!