It was a simple and silly question for my daughter, but then she asked me, “So what skill would you bring if I chose you for my wagon on the Oregon Trail?” Simple, silly, and fun. The problem was it wasn’t so simple, trivial, or fun. What would I bring to the team? What skills do I have that would allow me to earn my place? And it wasn’t for this game but life. Her simple question became a disruption to my spirit, my thought process, and my perceived understanding of value. I want to say that this was the first such disruption, but it wasn’t, and I know that it will not be the last. The question is, what do we do when a disruption of service enters our lives? 

When our cable, internet, power, cell service, etc.… experience a disruption of service, the quickest way to bring it back online to either do a complete reset or refresh the device that is struggling. During this brief, albeit frustrating pause, often works and life continues moving forward. While simplistic, the answer is the same when a disruption of service enters our lives. We have two options for how we proceed. The first option is that we ignore the disruption, hope that service, power, life comes back on its own and we continue on our day. This option works well, as long as we recognize that disruptions will continue to occur and will occur more frequently until life becomes frustrating and stuck in a loop of disappointment. 

The second option, while it seems to delay us, requires that we pause and push reset is our best and quickest way forward. Pushing reset on a router, or computer is easy. We often see the results immediately. Pausing life and pushing reset on that, is much more difficult. We usually don’t see immediate results. It typically takes time for changes to take effect, the results become visible, and we experience the benefits. But this reset or even reboot is necessary. 

Usually, disruption to service shines a spotlight on the fact that there is something wrong in the system. That there is a “log-jam” of information somewhere in the line and a reset is how we can clear that up. When disruption of service comes into our lives, the same factor is at work. It’s either our body, mind, or spirit informing us that something is not working correctly and requires attention on our part. Until that reset happens, we will continue struggling to move forward, and into the life, we desire and dreams we for which we hope.

So what does it look like to pause and push reset? Ultimately it will look different for each of us. Every problem is as unique as the person experiencing it. While it would be great to have a list of steps saying do A then B then C and your disruption are cleared, life rarely moves linearly. We more than likely did not get to where we are by following a systematic system and so getting unstuck will not be systematic either. I do, however, think that there are some processes that we can implement that can help us in clearing the disruption. 

Take notice where the disruption is occurring.

Where are you experiencing a disruption that is keeping you from moving forward is it physical, mental, emotional, spiritual? What I have discovered is that my being whether physical, emotional, mental, spiritual is well equipped to alert me when I have done too much or haven’t done enough to care for that area. When we pay attention to where the disruption and discomfort are coming from, we need to take an inventory of what is going on so we can reset and get back on track. It is at this point where you are pushing pause. Pause doesn’t mean quit it means rest for a moment and clear your head to pay attention to what is going on. There is a disruption for a reason, and you need to notice and understand what is going on so you can eventually move forward.

Recognize what is not working.

I get that this could be a “well duh” statement, however, when we don’t recognize what is not working, we tend to (or at least I tend to) do more than we should fix the problem. We often overcompensate by going to the extreme of trying to fit more in or the other extreme and shut everything down. Usually, there may only be a few things that are bringing about the disruptions and moving the pendulum too far in either direction puts more pressure not less on our system. Getting very specific about what is not working allows us to create a plan that is specific to our given needs.

Implement the plan and do the work.

It is at this point where the reset takes place. You can notice the area that is disrupting your routine. You can recognize what’s not working and create an action plan that will help bring about the necessary changes. But, until you put the plan into place, nothing changes. We tend to move towards the idea that if we are aware of what is wrong, knowing that leads to transformation. Insight creates an illusion of transformation. [bctt tweet=”Insight creates an illusion of transformation.”] Until we put the plan into practice and do the work, the disruption remains only delayed from disrupting again. When we do the work, then the reset can take place, and life can once again move toward our preferred future.