December 8. “To get what we’ve never had, we must do what we’ve never done.” (Anonymous)

It is easy to get into a rut in life, at least it is for me. Many people like me prefer to have a routine. I very much like knowing that my days will mostly start out the same way, and that there will be a routine within my day. I tend to drive the same path to work each day, and while the path home might be different than the one I drove to go in, it will be the same as the one I took home the day before.

There is comfort in a routine. Getting the basics of life accomplished via a routine frees my mind for more important tasks. I don’t have to waste cycles thinking too much about rising, showering, dressing, and so on. But there is a downside as well. When I become too comfortable in a set of routines, they can become a limiting factor in my life.

I recently changed positions at work. I had been in my previous project for nearly 5 years. I had a very strong routine in that job. While the challenges might be different from day to day, they fit neatly into a set of categories that I could manage without much thought as to process or procedure. I knew how to resolve budget issues, delivery issues, scope control and so on. That routine was comfortable, and while we were delivering great business value to the company, it was taking my career basically nowhere.

In that position I had become stagnant. I liked my routine and didn’t want that apple cart upset. But, five years is too long to be in one spot, and it was time for a change.

In November I started a new job. During that month I transitioned my old job to my successor, and began learning the new assignment. It is the end of the year, so things are a little different with assignments wrapping up, but I am getting to know the new job, and the new people on a daily basis.

I must say, I am really enjoying the change of scenery, both literally and figuratively. I find that my outlook on a daily basis has improved, and I am enjoying getting to know a new set of routines. As we head into the new year I will be excited to take on more new and exciting challenges and to continue to set the bar high for myself.

At this point I don’t know what it is that I will “get” that I never had before as a result of changing what I do. One thing I do know is that I am enjoying the ride very much.

Today my reflection is on new beginnings that lead to different endings, and how much fun that really is in life.