Comfort. It's a word that we can sometimes take for granted, yet at the same time, it's something we're always striving for. Financial comfort, emotional comfort, physical comfort -- these are the three goals that each and every one of us strive for each and every day. But, is comfort really such a good thing?

As I'm writing this, I am enjoying a splendid cup of coffee. Now, usually, I take my coffee with just creamer or if I have it in the cupboard, I'll add some Truvia, a non-calorie sweetener. I prefer my coffee this way not because I like the way it tastes, even though it's not all that bad, but because I want to cut down on the amount of sugar I take in. Diabetes runs in my family and truth be told, I could lose a few pounds. Therefore, coffee sans sugar.

But, when I'm really in need of comfort, out comes the sugar. And believe me when I say that first sip is like mana from Heaven! The kicker is -- even though the coffee is outrageously delicious and comforting to me, behind the scenes it's not doing me any good.

This same rule can be applied to not only your daily life, but to your work as well. If there's one thing I've learned as a freelancer, one can never get "comfortable." The second you think you're free and clear and all's right with the world, that's the moment you need to pick up the pace and work harder. If you don't, more times than not, you'll pay the consequences.

In business, one can never be truly comfortable. You have to be waiting (and preparing) for the next shoe to drop. Your ears have to be up and primed in order to hear your competitor's approaching footsteps. You need to be ready to make your next move. When you're comfortable, these things fall by the wayside. After all, life is good, right? Yep, and that's what the comfortable antelope thought, right before his uncomfortable brothers and sisters bounced off and he became the lion's lunch.

So now is a good time to ask yourself -- am I comfortable?

If you are and you're happy about it, that's fine, but...wait a minute...did you hear that sound coming from the bushes?

I came to the realization the other day that I was becoming stagnant. My life as of late has been somewhat of a lake with no inlet or outlet -- a tepid pool of scum. Well, maybe that's a little dramatic, but that's sure how it felt. Anyway, this stagnancy was affecting every part of my life -- my personal life, my work and my health. I could feel complacency setting in.

It was time for a life overhaul.

So, I sat down and started the outlines of my "new" life. This included more exercise, a healthier diet, a more organized work schedule, more time with the family and a more positive attitude. Today marks Day One.

Do not worry if you have built your castles in the air. They are where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. - Henry David Thoreau