You're Crazy if You Do This

Break the Cycle

If you keep finding yourself overwhelmed by the same issue, day in and day out, and you’re not developing the awareness to create systems and solutions to address it—let’s be real, that’s a

bit crazy.

It’s like banging your head against a wall and expecting the wall to move. But here’s where it gets even more irrational: when you know you need to change, when you’re fully aware that your current behavior is leading you down a destructive path, yet you choose to keep walking that road anyway.

Think of the classic movie Groundhog Day. Phil, played by Bill Murray, wakes up to the same day over and over. For the first few days, he walks the same path to the groundhog event for the town. There’s a pothole just outside the diner filled with slush and icy cold water. He steps in it day after day, always followed by anger and usually an explicit word. And it’s crazy—he knows it’s there and still does it until, finally, he uses that awareness and changes his path so that he doesn’t step in it again. It’s that simple! Become aware, then make the change.

Recognize the Pattern

Let me tell you about a client of mine who had a habit of stopping for a drink on his way home from work. He always took the same route, stopping at the same 7-Eleven, where the clerk knew him by name (sound familiar... FYI, it's okay to know a clerk at 7-11 by name but if they know what you are buying that is no bueno). He knew the exact amount of money needed to buy his six-pack, sometimes digging through his car’s change to pay for it. When we started working together, we highlighted his awareness of this routine and discussed what system we could put in place to change it.

The solution was simple: a different route home that took a little longer and a phone call to me on the drive home for the first 10 days of the change. That’s all it took. Now, he continues to take the new route and listens to a motivational podcast every time he leaves work. He doesn’t even take the old route home if he’s in a hurry.

I know it sounds simple, but that’s the point. He was fully aware of the problem but did nothing to address it. I called him out on it, told him he was better than that, and helped him create a system that worked. So, what’s something you’re clearly aware of but haven’t put a system together to address?

Awareness vs. Action

We’ve all been there—faced with a problem that keeps cropping up, making us feel like we’re stuck in a loop. Maybe it’s stress at work, struggles in relationships, or the temptation to fall back into old habits like excessive drinking or substance use. And each time, it feels like you’re getting slammed by the same wave, over and over again. But here’s the thing—if you don’t step back and create a system, a solution, something to break the cycle, you’re setting yourself up for the same outcome every time.

Here’s where the real kicker comes in: awareness. If you’ve reached the point where you’re aware that something needs to change—whether it’s your approach, your habits, or your mindset—and yet, you choose to continue with the same harmful patterns, that’s irrational.

It’s like knowing that drinking too much will lead to a hangover, yet you pour another drink. It’s knowing that using substances will drag you back into the pit you’ve been trying to climb out of, yet you do it anyway.

It’s irrational because you’re choosing short-term relief over long-term well-being. You’re opting for the comfort of the familiar, even when that familiarity is toxic, destructive, and ultimately leading you to the same painful outcome. And let’s not sugarcoat it—it’s crazy to keep doing the same thing and expect a different result.

Albert Einstein famously said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” This quote perfectly captures the irrationality of staying stuck in harmful patterns.

Build Systems, Create Solutions

So what’s the solution? It’s time to build systems. It’s time to create solutions that break the cycle. It’s about recognizing the patterns that are keeping you stuck and consciously deciding to disrupt them. This isn’t just about willpower or trying harder. It’s about being strategic, about setting yourself up for success by putting structures in place that guide you away from those harmful patterns.

If stress is overwhelming you, build a system that helps you manage it before it spirals out of control. If relationships are triggering old habits, develop a solution that strengthens your values and protects your well-being. If substances are your go-to escape, create a plan that offers healthier alternatives and support to steer you in the right direction.

It’s like what I learned in my previous career: under stress, you fall back on your training and systems. So, where’s your training? Where are your systems? If you don’t have them, you’re setting yourself up to fail.

Move from Awareness to Action

The bottom line is this: awareness without action is useless. Knowing you need to change but choosing not to is not only irrational, it’s a choice that keeps you trapped in a cycle of self-destruction. But here’s the good news—you can break the cycle. You can create the systems and solutions that lead to real, lasting change.

If you’re tired of feeling overwhelmed, if you’re done with the same old patterns dragging you down, it’s time to get serious about creating systems that support your growth. It’s time to stop letting irrational choices control your life and start making decisions that lead to positive outcomes.

Take Control

You have the power to build a life where you’re not constantly battling the same issues, where you’re not sabotaging your own progress.

It starts with awareness, yes, but it ends with action. Systems and solutions—that’s the path forward. Don’t just know it, do it. Break the cycle, create the change, and step into a life that makes sense, a life that you control.

The next time you find yourself stuck in that same old loop, ask yourself: What system can I build to break this cycle? Need help with something... Reach out.  Don’t just think about it. Act on it.

The wall won’t move unless you stop banging your head against it and start finding a way around it.

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*This is a recovery/health coaching education service only. It is not, and is not intended to be, medical treatment or recommendations for medical treatment. Actual medical treatment must come from your physician. Telephone or video consultations do not replace the need for seeing a doctor in person. Holding Doors recovery educators and coaches cannot diagnose or prescribe medications, treatment, or testing procedures. Holding Doors recovery educators and coaches can provide general information that may need to be reviewed and approved by that person’s own physician. Consultations are not considered to be medical advice or diagnosis. Payments are refundable; if you reschedule with 24 hours' notice, your payment will be transferred in full to your new appointment. The cost of Holding Doors recovery education and coaching services is not covered by health insurance or Medicare.