Why movement, not complacency, leads to growth and purpose

We’ve all had those moments: staring out of an office window or lying awake at night, wondering how we ended up stuck in a place we don’t want to be. It might be a career that’s lost its spark, a venture that’s plateaued, or a routine that no longer inspires. The feeling of being rooted in the wrong spot can be unsettling. And then along comes that blunt, liberating personal reminder: I can always walk away. Even though I’d like to remain grounded in my mindset and in spirit like a tree, I am not stuck in one place like one. I have feet, not roots. I have choices.

Yet, how often do we remain planted in the same spot in less-than-ideal circumstances out of habit or fear? Humans are uniquely capable of change, but we sometimes act like oaks in concrete, convinced we can’t possibly uproot ourselves. The roots we have are of a different kind, not a literal one.

When momentary stillness becomes stagnation

Why do so many of us cling to familiar ground even when it no longer nourishes us? Part of the reason is comfort, as our roots grow comfortable in the soil we know. In business and in life, familiarity can masquerade as safety. A founder sticks with a stagnant strategy because “it’s what we’ve always done.” A team leader stays in a role that no longer challenges them because “at least it’s stable.” Over time, standing still can quietly turn into fatal stagnation.

The truth is, what feels safe today might be holding you back tomorrow. Stasis has a sneaky cost: opportunities pass by while you’re busy digging your heels into deeper ground. Markets evolve, technologies shift, personal aspirations change — whether we move along or not. If we refuse to move when circumstances invite us to, we risk finding ourselves left behind, like a lone tree in a field that used to be a forest. As the saying goes, “the only constant is change”, and standing still in a changing world is its own form of risk.

In the start-up realm, adaptability often spells the difference between a venture that withers and one that thrives. One study found that founders who had the courage to pivot — to fundamentally change direction — saw those changes succeed about 75% of the time. In other words, staying put isn’t actually the safe bet; more often than not, refusing to move is riskier than venturing a change.

The courage to move

Of course, moving isn’t easy. Uprooting yourself — or your business — takes courage. It means confronting uncertainty and the possibility of failure. But more often than not, it also means growth. The act of making a change, of choosing a new direction, is an exercise in hope and self-belief. It’s a statement that tomorrow can be more than today, if only we have the courage to leave a comfortable patch of ground.

This ethos is ingrained in Begility’s DNA. We were founded on a willingness to break away from business-as-usual and challenge the norms of the corporate world. In a sense, Begility itself was a move — a deliberate step away from “corporate fluff” towards an environment that’s leaner and more authentic. We don’t chase trends; we focus on creating lasting value through ventures that truly matter.

At Begility, we boil it down to a simple mantra: Lean. Honest. Made to matter. These aren’t buzzwords for us; they’re how we orient every decision and every change we embrace. So what do they mean in practice?

• Lean: Cut out the excess. Travel light. Whether it’s a bureaucracy bloating your organisation or old habits that weigh you down, shed the non-essentials. Movement is easier when you’re not dragging a forest of old wood behind you. Focus on the things that truly drive value, and let the rest go.

• Honest: Confront reality head-on. Be truthful about where you stand and why you’re dissatisfied. Maybe the market has shifted, or maybe your heart has. Either way, facing the facts without sugarcoating is the only way to make a meaningful change. In our experience, radical honesty opens the door to solutions that a polite silence never will.

• Made to matter: Move with purpose. Change for a reason, not for the sake of change. A tree can’t choose where it grows, but you can. So choose a direction that matters to you, to those you lead, to the future you want to see. Align your moves with your values and a larger mission. When you head towards something meaningful, every step becomes its own reward.

In the end, that original quote is more than a witty saying; it’s a challenge. “If you don’t like where you are in your life, move…” Don’t wait for permission or the “perfect” moment that might never come. Change can be daunting, yes, but it’s also profoundly liberating. As living, thinking humans, we are blessed (and burdened) with the freedom to rewrite our situation. Every day we stay planted in dissatisfaction is a day we could have spent growing somewhere better.

We remind ourselves of this truth constantly. Lean. Honest. Made to matter. It’s more than our slogan; it’s a daily reminder that progress is a choice and that the best choices are those made with integrity and intent. We’ve seen first-hand what happens when people embrace this mindset: small companies transformed through new strategies, leaders rediscovering their passion, teams reinventing how they work together. Movement, when done on purpose, creates purpose.

So, a question only you can answer: Are you still standing in a place you’ve outgrown? If the answer is yes, consider what moving might mean for you. It might mean pivoting your business model or seeking out a new market. It might mean stepping back from a role that’s draining you, or finally starting that project your gut has been nudging you towards. Big leap or baby steps, it’s yours to define. The crucial part is remembering you can move. You are not a tree.

If you’re craving change, give yourself permission to pursue it. Be lean about what you carry forward, be honest with yourself about why you’re moving, and make sure you’re moving towards something that matters. In doing so, you might just find that the next place you grow will bring out your very best.

Lean. Honest. Made to matter.