Are You Spinning Your Wheels

At some point in our lives, most of us, decide that we want to make a change, either in our lifestyle, (health, spiritual climate, living conditions, leisure pursuits, etc.) or our career. The problem arises when we think only of making a change yet do nothing about it or engage in stop and go efforts. The result is the same; we end up spinning our wheels in our good intentions.

Very often, when we consider a change, it is in response to something negative. A troubled or failed relationship, organizational restructuring at work, illness and death are some of the reasons that might cause us to consider making a change. Moreover, we hope that the change we envision will purge us of the effects of our bad experiences and put some distance between us and our painful past.

Whatever triggered your decision, if you really want to effect some significant change in your life, you must have a clear idea of the change you want and the path you will follow to make it happen. Or, you could well find yourself stuck in a holding pattern and spinning your wheels.

These are the three strategies I continue to use to help me avoid this common dilemma in my own life.

Determine the Outcome

Do you know the old saying that asks, “If you don’t know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?”

This might seem obvious, but you will be surprised to learn how many people start the process of change without really having a clear idea of what they want to accomplish.

Wanting change in response to something negative is valid but we can be so focused on running away that we forget to look at what we say, we are running towards. The memory of difficult or painful experiences, coupled with the long-lasting consequences can consume our minds and muddle our ability to function in our day-to-day roles. Still, we must muster the courage to look away from the past and focus our attention and energies on the process that will make the dream of a particular change real.

Have you ever seen movies, where people are running from danger? They take off in a fright. They know only that they must get away, far away. Their frightened dash for safety usually takes them down a deserted part of town, a dark, lonely alley, usually with a dead end, or an abandoned house. Even the perceived threat of danger or some other distressing situation can thrust us into a disorganized flight. Like in the movies, we scamper with no clear idea of where we are going. We could end up running in circles, spinning our wheels and going nowhere.