Module 132 - Something has to change

Common mistake many of us make when performing specific tasks repeatedly in a consistent manner and expecting a different result

If things are not going according to set and expected plan, or you are receiving the same repetitive result, different from what you were expecting on the repetitive basis, then something must change. What you don’t want is keep on repeating a specific process or action repeatedly without introducing any changes or modification within that process and expecting a different result.

Why is this important to remember with everything that we do in our professional and personal lives?

Because, most people do not want to be stuck in continuous, never-ending loop or actions that lead to zero results, unless our goal is to actually deliver zero results. But I personally do not know any situations where this may be an objective. Therefore, let’s focus on finding ways to break out of continuous cycle and create new ways of doing in order to begin adding value to everything we do and creating more effective and often times efficient processes which help us to make progress in activities that we do daily at home and in the place of business.

How do you do that? How can one break the repetitive cycle of ‘zero progress’ and explore new possibilities and become the creator of change?

First, I would begin with analyzing a specific process that you are working on or responsible for managing and leading. More specifically, think about each step that you take in that process and capture it on paper or on the computer.
Then, think about steps and actions captured as part of the process flow and ask yourself a very important question – “Is there an opportunity to make improvements or change specific steps in the process flow to make it more efficient, effective, and create a change for a better?” But, please remember, if you are not seeing results that you hope to see, or you are not receiving results as quickly and effectively as you would like, then the answer here is obvious – typically there’s always an opportunity to improve, enhance, and be creative.

If you not sure where to start, or if you do not see where opportunity for improvement may be, why aren’t you ask your peers, colleagues, family members, friends, or your customers. Who would know what needs to change or improve better than people who are purchasing and using your product or service? The answer here is obvious – no one, because, your customers are eager to share with you what you may want to change in your daily business processes and ways of doing things, all you need to do is ask them for help. I know this can be very uncomfortable process at first, because, you perhaps do not want to give others an impression that you need help, however, if you cannot find the best solution on your own, why not be open and seek feedback and help from those who are ready and willing to share it with you?

This works the same way when we are faced with roadblocks and challenges in our personal lives. You’ve been doing the same thing over and over with minimal to no result, so why not ask your family members or your friends for their input, their ideas, and feedback. Perhaps, the solution may be right in front of us, but we cannot see it because it simply takes another person to point us to it. I’ve dealt with so many situations where solution to a problem that I was looking to solve was right in front of me, but I did not see it, because, I was busy with routine and repetitive tasks and simply did not have time to pause and analyze as I should have. As result I’ve wasted a lot of precious time running in the circle vs. creating new ways of performing a particular task.
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So, next time when you are stuck in the process that does not yield expected results or results and rewards you were hoping to receive, pause and analyze each of your steps within a specific process and outlined above and look for creative ways in improving or enhancing the process, and most importantly, don’t feel like you must do this on your own. Remember to ask for help when appropriate, because, help may be waiting just around the corner, but our ego may be preventing us from reaching for it. Often, our own ego can be our own worst enemy, so keep it in check and begin creating change in your professional and personal lives when it’s needed most.

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