Marc Zarefsky

All of us want to show up to work, settle in, and do our jobs well. But what happens when that comfort turns into complacency? According to Carter Cast, a clinical professor of innovation and entrepreneurship at the Kellogg School, individuals who have grown too comfortable may not feel safe and secure for long—on the contrary, they may be on track to derail themselves professionally.

Given the pace of life today, it’s increasingly common to feel overwhelmed by a blizzard of professional obligations. To-do lists grow despairingly long; calendars fill with meetings and calls. Even those with laser focus can struggle to keep up.