Sudoku Week – Friday
Figuring out your life can be a lot like sudoku. If you find one square, you can find the next square, and so on. If you put the wrong number in one square and start filling out the other numbers based on that number, eventually you will come to the point where it’s all messed up. If you have put in a lot of numbers, it’s difficult to find the original mistake.
This is like self-work. At every moment we move forward with a set of assumptions. Our assumptions determine our next moves. Assumptions that are out of alignment with our true desires lead to moves that take us further from them. When you come to the point where what you’re doing isn’t working, it’s time to look at the puzzle as a whole.
Think of an area of personal growth where you feel stuck. Career…Relationships…Self-image…
1. Find a false assumption
Identify your assumptions. If you find one that is questionable, change it, and see if it gives you an idea about how to proceed. For example, you might be trying to advance in your career, but it’s not happening. You have met with people and applied for multiple jobs, with no movement. Assumptions you might consider: Is this really the area where I want to work? What does advancement mean? More money? More responsibility? If you start asking these questions, something will turn on a lightbulb in your head, and you will become unstuck.
2. Start over with the same puzzle.
Sometimes we don’t want to know what we did wrong, we just want to start over. In the career example, start where you are. Pretend you haven’t made any effort to advance. Now look at your situation. What do you want to do? What is your goal? What is the first step? Fill in the first box. After you fill in the box, look at the puzzle as a whole. Was it the right move, as far as you can tell? If so, fill in the next box, take the next step. If not, go back. Start again.
3. Start a new puzzle
Maybe there is something going on in another area of your life that needs attention before you can make progress in this area. Perhaps you are not advancing in your career because you doubt yourself, and that is coming across in your interviews. If you work on your self-image puzzle for awhile, you might return to the career puzzle and see you haven’t made a mistake, and the next number is obvious. Or you might realize you need to start over.
OR…
Maybe you are taking an approach that is not in alignment with what you seek. Perhaps you need to approach this area of self-growth in a less-linear fashion. Maybe something like a color-by-number picture. Do you need a coach or mentor? Maybe you just need to turn to a friend.
No matter what, keep going. The goal is unimportant, it’s the steps that count!
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