Life has a funny way of teaching us lessons when we least expect it—sometimes through the unexpected frustration of being stuck behind a school bus. Other times, it comes when we least want it, like when we find ourselves needing help but refuse to ask for it. So, let’s take a little ride through some teachable moments that have shaped my thinking about patience, asking for help, and who’s really driving the bus in our lives.

As we approach the close of another year, it’s natural to start reflecting on everything we’ve achieved—and everything we haven’t. In a world that often glorifies big, visible milestones, it’s easy to overlook the quiet but powerful impact of small steps.

Two weeks ago, I was out of the country when Hurricane Milton hit Florida, leaving my parents in assisted living without my support. The helplessness I felt was overwhelming. I couldn’t be there physically, and all my attempts to control the situation — making calls, checking in constantly, trying to "do something" — felt futile. I was out of control.

Recently, my husband went fishing and came back with a great catch of fish. We spent the morning after vacuum-sealing the fish, ensuring we could enjoy fresh seafood for weeks to come. However, despite our best efforts, one package developed a small leak before we moved it from the refrigerator to the freezer. Over the next few days, every time I opened the refrigerator, a faint fishy odor wafted out, driving me up the wall.

A recent adventure at a New Hampshire lake with our four-year-old granddaughter offered a vivid lesson in how limiting beliefs are created and how they can hold us back from experiencing pure joy and freedom.

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, routines can often become our comfort zones—reliable, predictable, and, at times, monotonous. While routines provide structure and stability, they can also inadvertently lead to a sense of stagnation. If you find yourself longing for a burst of excitement or a fresh perspective, it might be time to consider shaking things up.

Personal projects are the activities we engage in daily – from simple tasks like cleaning the house to complex endeavors like starting a business or learning a new language. These projects are not just random actions; they are a reflection of our personality, values, and aspirations.

Catastrophic thinking is based on fears and not facts so we tend to overestimate the likelihood of a negative event as well as its possible consequences.

“Learning to focus beyond ourselves when the odds are against us is one way to help overcome obstacles, grow and build resilience. When we approach obstacles or challenges interdependently, we gain competence and confidence to overcome them” (Grant, Hidden Potential, p. 132).

Temporary supports help build resilience and overcome challenges that can overwhelm and limit growth. In his book, Hidden Potential, Adam Grant uses examples of how athletes, musicians, mountain climbers and even the military use scaffolding to help individuals learn and grow. Key features of scaffolding from his book:

Adam Grant identified specific forms of proactivity, determination, and discipline that matter relating to stretching oneself to learn and grow. In his book Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things, he says that “Traveling great distances requires the courage to seek out the right kinds of discomfort, the capacity to absorb the right information, and the will to accept the right imperfections” (Grant, Hidden Potential, p. 22).

A recent episode of Adam Grant’s podcast, ReThinking, caught my attention. He introduces his new book, Hidden Potential, and interviews Maurice Ashley, a chess Grandmaster. Maurice led an underdog middle school chess team to shatter stereotypes and help them unlock hidden potential.

How do you usher in the new year and plan for what’s ahead? What ways will you make room for change and create a plan for growth in the upcoming year?

Do you listen more to your inner critic or cheerleader? It’s important to give yourself time to celebrate all that you’ve done rather than criticize yourself about what you haven’t done. 

The comfort zone is a state of mind in which one feels familiar, safe and at ease. Change begins when you step out of your comfort zone.

It’s not always the same time of year, but usually around January and September my attention swings like a pendulum to healthy lifestyle habits. Ongoing celebrations during the holiday season and cookouts and summertime fun suddenly reach a point where I want to push the pendulum back toward healthfulness.

TINA v. TARA isn’t another ‘cage match’ gimmick between two billionaire business people like ZUCKERBERG V. MUSK. These are investment terms I’m borrowing to help you contemplate fixed versus flexible thinking and how this relates to change.

Do you remember being young and dreaming about doing something wildly outrageous?

There are times when my habits serve me well and are aligned with what I value (eating healthy, exercising, spending time with family and friends, etc.) and other times I get derailed and off track. By learning more about how habits are formed, we can figure out ways to redesign them.

Throughout nature, growth involves periodic transformations. The leaves drop , the trees bud and bloom and the caterpillar turns into a butterfly. Whether we like it or not, change will happen, so taking time to understand the process of change can be helpful during the seasons in life when everything seems to be changing.