Finding balance is hard and we tend to swing from one extreme to the next. While understandable, this overcorrection can lead to more damage than the original issue we were trying to avoid.
For instance, it’s quite common to panic when we drift off the road just a bit – jerking the wheel in the opposite direction and increasing our likelihood of a rollover crash.
And unfortunately, this tendency is not limited to driving.
For example, growing up we might vow to be nothing like our parents and commit to doing the exact opposite. If they we’re strict on us we might then let our kids get away with everything, or vice versa.
While our parents might have been truly too strict, becoming ultra-lenient causes its own problems.
Likewise, the answer to conflict is not avoiding conflict. We might not like disagreements, but simply avoiding tough conversations doesn’t correct the situation.
On the one hand, we don’t have to pick a fight about everything. Somethings just don’t matter in the long run. But, at the same time, we can stay engage and fight for the things that do matter.
Abruptly quitting our job, divorcing, or moving across country are other examples of possible overcorrection.
Whatever the case, rash decisions often open the door to many more problems.
We must take the time to pause and reflect – to figure out what’s not working and discern the best path forward.
And as we keep a cool head we might soon discover a slight turn of the wheel is all that’s needed to get us where we want to go.
Take the needed action to correct the issues of life. But be careful not to overcorrect. Seek that elusive right balance on your path forward.
