Stay In Your Lane

“Stay in your lane”.

That’s what my driver’s ed instructor said when I drifted across the center line.

That’s what my first boss told me when, in my enthusiasm, I began to encroach on other people’s territory.

Now, it’s what I say to myself when I start trying to control things that aren’t within my control. 

It happened again just the other day. Someone was critical of work I had done and I left our conversation a bit obsessed with their comments. I expended all sorts of energy trying to understand why they said what they did, which morphed into an internal diatribe about why they were wrong. And then I remembered - stay in your lane!

I can’t control what other people think or say. That’s not my circus to manage. But I can control how I respond. I can reflect on why their comments hooked me,. And when I did that, I learned that I still have a lot of work to do quieting my inner critic and embracing criticism as little more than information. 

The more I’ve practiced staying in my lane, the more I’ve become aware of how often I get out of my lane, trying to control outcomes, what others think of me, or what others do. It’s a recipe for frustration, and one that many of us cook up and consume way too often.

One of my intentions for 2023 is to become a Jedi Master at staying in my lane. Care to join me?

Here are some questions to consider:

• When am I tempted to get out of my lane? (check out the graphic attached to this blog)

• What’s driving my desire to control what isn’t within my control?

• What do I need in order to let go of control?

• How would my life be different if I became a Jedi Master at staying in my lane?

• Who could help to hold me accountable along the way?

Finding yourself completely in the ditch when it comes to what you can control and what you can’t? Coaching can help. Schedule an appointment today!

Credit to @mindfulenough for the infographic.