Words that caught us: W is for Wayfinding (Part 3)

 


In part 2 of Wayfinding,

We presented a list of 13 issues

Regarding the jar,

That we, probably, have never considered.

 

There is a 14th one.


It’s the most difficult step in this puzzle,

And, perhaps, the most critical one.


It’s the bump that slows down all of us.

 

We all know that the jar is presently full,

And that, for us to add anything in,

We have to, first, get something out.


Assuming we all know

What needs to get out and go in,

Why do we hesitate and suffer so much?


It should be as easy as ABC, right?

We should be able to do it in one fell swoop, shouldn’t we?

Why, then, is it so hard?

And what exactly is difficult with this?

Is it the act of removing, or adding?

 

In other words, what is the relative difficulty between

Letting go, moving on, and starting over?

 

We mostly underestimate the cost and trouble

Of switching and pivoting;

And that leads us to under-invest in the process.

Unfortunately, switching and pivoting doesn’t just happen.

And when it does, its non-linear,

Happening in fits and starts,

Never in one-smooth-pull of the lever.

 

Take the rocks in our lives, for example.

We have already invested heavily in these rocks.

It has cost us time, resources and emotional labour,

To tend to them and be where we are today.

Think of switching careers, or closing a business,

And moving into a completely new terrain.

That’s not a decision to be taken lightly,

Or, on the spur of the moment.

And, its not for the faint hearted, either.

The sunk costs run high and deep.

We debate and contemplate.

We ruminate over the pros and cons.

It takes time, energy and hesitation to arrive at that point,

Where we realize we’ve to bite the bullet,

Let go of the rock, and start over.

 

And that’s not all.

 

Our rocks have been sleeping comfortably

Next to our pebbles and sand,

And they have developed, over the years,

Great alignment, synergy and affinity for each other.

We all love our pebbles and sand,

Especially the sand!

Someone looking keenly at our typical day

And how we spend our time,

Will discover some interesting, if not weird, stories.

How much time is dedicated to our rocks?

How much is spent on the phone?

Or browsing the internet, watching sports,

Or gossiping with friends?

The truth is, we don’t spend a much time on our rocks

As we probably think, or assume, we are.

A look at our monthly expenses

Will more likely reveal that some sizeable amount

Goes into things we crave for,

But don’t actually need?

How much of this sand are we willing to pour out,

In order to concentrate and focus on our new rock?

 

Rarely, if at all, do old habits produce improvements.

They are our sand.

To move forward, we’ll need to work hard 

At pouring most of it out,

At replacing it with new and shiny sand.


Easier said, than done!


It’s very difficult to break free

From established patterns of thought and action.

We, unintentionally, stay attached to our past.

Our brains love cheat sheets. 

And that's exactly what habits are!

Our routines and habits are our 'platforms'.

Just like google, safaricom or adroid/iOS,

They are constantly humming in the background, unseen.

They keep us locked in, tight and comfortable.

Any switching comes at great hesitation,

Pain and discomfort.

That’s why we defer the decision,

Until it’s too late,

Or, until we have run out of options.


Is your wayfinding weighed down by high sunk costs?

Or, are your wheels stuck and spinning in the sand?

Here's where the battle is waged.

We can’t move on, or start over,

Until and unless we accept to release, and let go.


What are you finding most difficult to accept to let go?

What’s holding you back?

 

*Today’s reflection has been inspired by this tweet by @wiseconnector.

 **Highly recommended: ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear and ‘Think Again’ by Adam Grant

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