The saying “standing still means going backwards” is (only) true from a relative rather than from an absolute focus & perspective. But why?? Because everything follows Why.
Examples:
- Love: others find a new relationship while you are not.
- Knowledge: stopping your car on a highway. You’re not going backwards. Still, cars that are passing by, may give that impression.
- Power: junior colleagues are promoted while you are not.
Apparently, it’s a saying (source) from Rudolf von Bennigsen-Foerder (1926-1989), a “top manager and company chairman of many years standing”. Especially in business, constant Change is (indeed) required.
“Standing still means going backwards” is a metaphor for complacency, implying that in a competitive, constantly evolving world, failure to progress, adapt, or improve results in losing ground to others who are advancing. It emphasizes that continuous growth is necessary to maintain one’s current position.
Source: Google AI Overview
According to Google AI Overview, these are the “Key Reasons for this Principle”:
- Constant Change: Industries, technology, and skills evolve. If you are not developing (growing), you are becoming obsolete.
- Competition: Others are learning, changing, and improving. Stagnation results in losing your relative position, effectively going backward.
- Complacency Risks: Standing still leads to complacency and the development of bad habits that undermine previous successes.
My reason for writing this blog is a related question: is (my) living in the Now similar to standing still (and moving backwards) ??
Based on the answer in Google AI Overview (above), I’m not “standing still” because I’m adapting, evolving, and improving.
Is that enough for not “moving backwards” ??
Today, I suppose so.
“Standing still is the fastest way of moving backwards in a rapidly changing world.”
A quote by American actress Lauren Bacall (1924-2014)
Standing Still (2001) by Jewel
artist, lyrics, video, Wiki-artist, Wiki-song
[Chorus]
Or am I standing still
Beneath a darkened sky?
Or am I standing still
With the scenery flying by?
Or am I standing still?
Out of the corner of my eye
Was that you passing me by?
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless in quotes or stated otherwise
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