As I was driving along, appreciating the magnificence around me, with no other cars on the road, a gentleman walking on the other side of the road made hand gestures beckoning me to him. It took me a second to realise that he was gesturing for me to drive on the RIGHT hand side of the road!
There I was driving along the left side of the road, which is my regular side ala South Africa and Australia. I’d been driving in the States for a week and was rather proud of being able to switch to driving on the other side of the road yet again!
Our paradigms, beliefs and thoughts are very similar to this one habit. Driving on the left hand side of the road is my regular paradigm. It’s neither good nor bad – it just is!
I wouldn’t think to question why – as everyone does it in the countries I have lived in.
Choosing to change it without changing countries would mean risking my life, those of others and certainly would be breaking the law!
In South Africa and Australia, driving on the left hand side of the road is a good habit to have! It keeps you safe, it’s the acceptable behaviour of those in that country.
What if I held onto this habit so securely that I insisted on keeping it while travelling in the USA or parts of Europe? The very behaviour that keeps me safe in Australia is the one that will endanger me in America!
Sure, I could get away with it on some quiet country roads, but as soon as I chose to exercise it in Los Angeles, disaster looms! Could be a very expensive disaster too!
Which of your beliefs, paradigms, values, habits or behaviours served you once, but no longer serve you any more?
Which behaviour used to keep you safe, but is now holding you back?
Now is the time for you to re-evaluate everything that has formed the cornerstone of your life to see what is no longer serving you. What actions, thoughts and beliefs would you like to take on, going forward?
Do you want to run your business the same way as it’s always been run?What has worked for you? What needs an overhaul?
It can be challenging if you’re trying to redesign your life on your own, so get together with your coach or someone you trust who will hold you accountable to your goals and dreams. Find the person that will beckon you to the right side of the road when you are allowing old habits to steer you offtrack!
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