Navigating Change: How to Break Through Old Patterns
Do you ever feel like you're stuck in a loop, repeating the same patterns in your leadership, your relationships, or even in the way you manage your time? You've worked hard, reached success, but something still feels off—a sense that you're circling the same challenges over and over again.
It's what I call the Excellence Plateau. You've achieved so much, but this plateau is where many ambitious leaders find themselves feeling both burnt out and bored. They crave growth, yet their old ways of thinking and behaving are holding them back.
The truth is, the very patterns that helped you reach this level of success can keep you stuck right here—unless you shift them.
But there's good news. You can break through these patterns, and when you do, the results are nothing short of extraordinary. Your energy returns, your vision expands, and new opportunities flow toward you with ease. Ready to unlock your potential?
Why Old Patterns Hold Us Back
Our brains are wired to follow familiar pathways—those habits and routines that feel safe and comfortable. But while these patterns might have gotten you to where you are today, they won't help you reach the next level. To break through, we need to shift how we think, behave, and respond to challenges.
This requires two things:
Awareness of the thought and behavior patterns that are no longer serving you.
Action to intentionally shift those thoughts and behaviors into something more powerful.
Try This: Identify and Disrupt a Limiting Pattern
To start breaking free from old habits, you first need to recognize them. Here's an exercise to help:
Step 1: Reflect on Recent Situations
Think about a recent challenge or frustration you've faced, whether at work or in your personal life. What triggered that feeling of stress or overwhelm? Was it a difficult conversation? A leadership decision? A personal relationship dynamic? Write down what happened and how you responded.
Step 2: Look for Patterns
Now, ask yourself: Is this situation familiar? Have you experienced this kind of challenge before? Do you tend to respond in the same way? (Maybe you always avoid difficult conversations or react defensively when your leadership is questioned.) Be honest with yourself and look for repetitive responses that might not be serving your highest goals.
Step 3: Create a Plan
Once you've identified the pattern, decide how you will intentionally disrupt it. Develop a plan that includes a self-awareness strategy to catch yourself in the moment. I recommend habit stacking—attach your new behavior to something you already do regularly. This creates new neural pathways and helps the new habit stick.
Step 4: Disrupt the Pattern
The next time you encounter a similar situation, use your plan to consciously choose a new response. For example, if you typically avoid conflict, lean into it by asking clarifying questions. If you tend to micromanage your team, take a step back and let them take ownership.
Step 5: Move On
Once you've disrupted the pattern, move on. Don't dwell on the old habit or beat yourself up if you slip back into it. You'll have plenty of opportunities to practice this new behavior. If you've made a mess along the way—perhaps in a conversation or a decision—take responsibility, apologize if necessary, and keep moving forward.
Breaking Through to New Heights
When you consciously disrupt old patterns, you open the door to growth and significant change. You start showing up differently—not only for yourself but for your team, your family, and everyone in your life. You'll move from merely excellent to effortlessly operating in your zone of genius, where everything flows more easily and success feels joyful, not hard.