Old Habits Can Be Like Potholes
Not all old habits are bad, some may be good. Yet, if you’re looking for change consider what you’re repeating again and again.
On the roadway a pothole can be dangerous.
People swerve to avoid them. The vehicles suspension collapses with a harsh thump. Worse, a tire gets blown and a wheel gets bent.
All of this avoidance, or perhaps a direct hit can be costly. It could even threaten lives.
Here is the thing. The pothole wasn’t created on its own.
Across time a tiny crack, a small chunk of concrete or asphalt breaks away.
Then more tires cross the small orifice. Each successive crossing erodes the hole a little more. A slight tire spin, intense braking, or weather conditions broaden the hole.
Pothole Life
In life, we sometimes find ourselves creating potholes. A place that we continue to navigate over time that slowly but surely creates a hole. A rut, a place to slam on the brakes, blow a tire, or bend a rim.
Too many potholes and you may decide you need a new route. Yet, the habit of staying on the same road is hard to break.
It’s often hard to break because you’ve known it as the best route. The way to get to where you want to be. The fast way, the way that is fewer miles and perhaps, the safe route.
Old Habits
You still have a choice. You can endure the rough road. Perhaps slow down a little, drive with a little more caution, and be able to better navigate the rough spots.
Just because you’re still on the same road doesn’t mean you should keep the same pace. Pace may be the change you need.
Sometimes you have to go a little slower to go faster. A blown tire, bent rim, or worse, won’t help your plight.
Not all old habits are bad. Some of them just need to be navigated a little bit differently until the conditions change.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
