Pressing the Same Elevator Button and Wondering Why You're Not Moving?

I was visiting my son, Chris, in the hospital. I found my way to the elevator in the Main Lobby and pressed the up button. The doors slid open and I stepped in. I pressed the button and the door opened. I thought someone must’ve pushed the elevator button outside. I looked and saw no one, so I pressed the button again and again the elevator stayed put and the doors opened.

It took me one more try (in my defense it was early in the morning) before I realized that while I was on the Main Lobby level and wanted to get to the fifth floor, I kept pushing the ML button!

How often do we do the same things in our lives? We want to get out of debt, but we keep going shopping. We want to lose weight, but we keep snacking on ice cream every night. We want to get fit, but we sit on the couch instead of exercising. We want to lower our blood sugar levels, but we just can’t give up our bagels and soda.

We go a few weeks this way and some of us are surprised by the lack of progress! How is it that we didn’t lose at least a few pounds, or pay off one bill, or whatever it is we wanted to accomplish? We’re pressing the same button as the level we are on and expecting things to change. If you want something you've not had before - like a slim, fit body or money in your bank account - there's just no way around it. You have to do something you've never done before.

Looking at it this way, it sounds ridiculous but we can be masters at deceiving ourselves. If you want something to change in your life – no matter what it is – you have to change something. You can’t keep doing the same things in the same way and expect a different outcome. I’ve heard that this is one definition of insanity.

It’s also a recipe for frustration, discouragement and disappointment. The best way to change this is to be mindful. Live each moment fully. Pay attention to what you are doing. Don’t allow yourself to operate on automatic. Pay attention and press the right button.