Pattern Recognition and Adjustments
“Only fools repeat the same things over and over, expecting to obtain different results." George Bernard Shaw
February through May has been a problem this year, just as it has been for the past three. Peak burnout. Over-commitment personally and professionally, combined with work stress in kicking off the year, and not getting outside to ride or do much of anything else. This time of year also marks the anniversary of losing Colette to cancer - she would be 9 in July.
While this year has been the worst in recent memory, it’s also the first time I’ve identified it as a pattern of events that result in the state I found myself in, and that gave me some agency in knowing that patterns can be changed.
What led to the introspection this time? The same bike ride I wrote about last week. After that ride, the fog and sense of pressure lifted. I started seeing connections again. Writing about it helped clarify things further. Mood follows action, as RR is known to say.
What’s next? A few things, but breaking the cycle is first on my list after enjoying the spring and summer. Identifying what I should and shouldn’t say yes to is another great starting point. There is more work to do on values and first principles to get clarity here. A warm spring break in 2025 to short circuit the pattern as well.
Thanks for reading,
Paul
Move forward. Stay in the game.
