Sometimes in life we repeatedly take the same wrong turn. This happens because we don't make the time to figure out why we take that wrong turn and we also don't take the time to remap a better route. I thought about this yesterday when I made one of those repeated errors. In many ways, I simply didn't want to face the fact that the turn was a wrong one as I couldn't imagine that path didn't lead to where I hoped it would go.
Today, however, I'm making the time to think deeply about that particular path and I'm thinking about how I might reroute that path in a more positive way since that wrong turn sucks a lot of time, energy and positivity from my days.
As I think deeply about this wrong turn, what do I notice?
First, I noticed a lack of positive, honest support. When we engage in efforts that are challenging, positive, honest support is essential. Without that it's difficult to do the good work possible. Once when I engaged in a professional pursuit that I was deeply committed to, I also experienced a lack of positive support. I kept trying to get the support from the same non-supportive individuals. I would have been much better off finding another team for that particular endeavor rather than constantly trying to get support from people who weren't invested in that project.
Next, I realized that I repeatedly looked for support in places where that support was not available. I simply couldn't imagine others wouldn't think like me in the situation, but the reality is that some don't think like me in the situation. I have to look elsewhere for teammates for this particular endeavor.
When we find ourselves mired in a loop of unproductive behavior, it's time to reflect and make good change. We don't have to take the wrong turns in life repeatedly. Onward.