So often in our lives we rig together something to get us through a challenging circumstance. We grab some duct tape, bubble gum, a twist-tie and a prayer and we slap it together, hoping it will weather the storm we’re in.

We make do with what we have because we’re in crisis, or because we need something – anything! – to help us weather the storm, difficulty or season of change we’re in.

But then what?

What happens when we’ve weathered the storm? When we’ve made it to the other side and the sun comes out?

Most of us don’t get around to upgrading that thing we slapped together. Life keeps moving and responsibilities need tending. If we’re not deliberate about updating and establishing something better and more trustworthy, we will keep relying on that duct tape-bubble-gum-twist-tie-prayer contraption we put into place to see us through that previous challenge.

Over time, we can become accustomed to living from a compromised place – a place of “oh, it’s fine” and “it’ll do”. But it’s important to recognize that the rest of our lives must compensate for the areas that aren’t functioning well.

Because we are only as strong as our weakest point.

Eventually, the deficit of one area will inevitably affect the whole. Perhaps not right away, but eventually.

If you’ve ever had a flat tire and put the temporary “donut” tire on your car, you know that it’s meant to get you safely to the repair shop. But above and beyond that, you’re pushing your luck every time you go faster than 50mph.

If you’ve ever injured an ankle and had to limp for days or weeks on end, you know how much you start relying on your healthy leg and the rest of your body over time – so much so that when the injury heals it can feel awkward to walk normally again.

If you’ve ever had an employee or been a part of a team where one member simply can’t do their job (for whatever reason) and so you, or perhaps several people had to pick up the slack to make things work, you understand very well how this compromises the entire system and the quality of work that gets done.

My invitation to you is to take a quick scan of your life and look for the places where things are functioning below your standards. Where are the weak links that are pulling other things out of alignment? Where have things become compromised? Or completely dysfunctional?

Where do you find yourself compensating for something (or someone) that just isn’t contributing to the whole the way it could?

Then honestly assess just how much this is affecting the rest of you. How much is it…

… Draining your energy?
Weighing you and others down?
Sucking financial resources dry?
Demanding too much of your time?
Creating dysfunction elsewhere?
Keeping things stagnant or stuck?
Preventing forward movement and positive change?

Ask yourself, “What could become possible if this weak or under-functioning component was replaced with something better, stronger, capable and reliable?”

What would change for you?
How would it feel different? Better?
What would it free up?
What could you begin to say YES to that was impossible before?

Consider what gets to happen when a previously compromised aspects of your body, your business or your life is no longer functioning in a compromised way.

Consider the relief that gets to happen when the things that used to have to work double overtime get to go back to their normal healthy output and function.

Everything, every part, every facet gets to breathe freely again because they only have to do what they are meant to do – no overwork or overtime needed, anymore.

“You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.” – Oprah Winfrey

If you’ve been settling for subpar, adapting to dysfunction and malfunction and tolerating the whole duct-tape-twist-tie-bubble-gum-prayer contraption for much longer than what it was originally intended for, recognize that you’ve adapted to dysfunction.

Start raising your standards. Stop settling for compromise. Start asking for what you need. Take a stand for the exact thing you know you require to pull you out of adaptation and into full, spectacular flow and function.

Say YES to yourself and the glorious life you get to live.

PS: We live in a culture that teaches us to compromise, sacrifice and adapt to dysfunction. If you’re brave enough to choose something different for yourself, it’s very common to bump up against all kinds of things that want you to stay where you’re at.

But with the support of an inspiring community making this shift can feel far more possible. Join me here for free tips, tools and resources to help buoy you beyond where you are today!