I went to my local laundromat one day and was pleasantly surprised to see an updated layout. My eyes pored over the shiny tiles that concealed the once drab wall on one side, and the brand-new dryers that now occupied the other. The washing machines had been moved about to allow air flow through a side door that I previously didn’t even know existed. I had heard that a fire broke out about a month ago so I assumed the flames had consumed most of the building. But that was not the case at all.
Upon talking to the owner, I learned that a very small electrical fire had broken out near the entrance. Even though most of the laundromat remained unaffected, she had decided to renovate the entire space.
“Why did you do all this when the fire was only in this small area?” I gestured towards the corner.
“I’ve been wanting to do this anyway,” she replied. “I just didn’t do it until now.”
“So in a way, the fire was a good thing because it got you to make all of these beautiful changes…”
She smiled. “It sure was.”
I proceeded to stuff the washers with my dirty shirts and socks, but I got to thinking. How many times in our own lives do we wait for things to burn up before we take action? Our money. Our health. Our relationships. Why do we wait until conditions are so apalling that we feel compelled to take action? And the real question:
How can we get ourselves to take action sooner?
The answer is simply: set a new threshold. Like a thermostat where you can set the temperature at which the heat kicks in, your brain has a threshold at which your emotions rev your body up for action. Most people live mediocre lives because they allow others to set the thermostat for them. The problem with that is that most people don’t have their temperatures set to ‘excellent’ or ‘extremely satisfying’. They have it set to ‘mediocre’.
Why not proactively set your own threshold? If you determine that where you are is unacceptable, your brain will automatically drive whatever thoughts and physiology are necessary to achieve your required temperature. Often, people instead acclimate to the new unfavorable conditions, so that they don’t have to lift a finger. For that reason, friends and loved ones will sometimes sabotage you. It’s not because they have bad intentions. It’s just that whenever you set your thermostat to a higher temperature, they feel pressured to ratchet theirs up a notch, or to ratchet yours back down. But don’t worry about them. And don’t wait for a fire to break out in your life before you do something about it. Take control of your thermostat and set it to your heart’s desire.
Choose to Take the Journey 
After I read your article, it makes me think of one famous Chinese aphorism. It says a wise leader (king or general) who be able to manage his/ her country well because he/ she knows the most important principle which is underlying the conduct of war has to be proactive. Your writing makes me think that to prepare ahead before trouble comes and to provide against possible trouble is a good way to manage my life.
“善於治家者，尚其防患於未然哉”
–清 程麟
Thank you for translating the Chinese. Google translate leaves something to be desired… What you said reminds me of Sun Tzu’s Art of War. Many principles of war can apply surprisingly well to daily life.
I love Sun Tzu’s Art of War. I have read the Chinese edition, I wonder how it will be after translated to English.
My favour quote is about water. It says the situation would always change in the war, just like the water. Only wise leader would understand the protean situation,and take the initiative to control his/her armys. He/She will win the war.
People should understand that they should not use a unchangeable views on things. Just like we know something happening in our diarly life . There are different lengten of day light time everyday and the moon share would change everyday.
夫兵形象水。水之形，避高而趋下；兵之形，避实而击虚。水因地而制流，兵因敌而制胜。故兵无常势，水无常形，能因敌变化而取胜者，谓之神。故五行无常胜。四时无常位，曰有短长，月有死生。
–孙子兵法
I’m sure the Chinese version is better, but the English version is quite good. With what you just said, you are now reminding me of Bruce Lee’s thoughts on how to “be like water.” :p