Break Through Stagnation: Do the Opposite

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift." – Albert Einstein

I want to share a powerful but counterintuitive strategy for breaking through stagnation: Doing the opposite

When we feel stuck, our natural instinct is to keep trying the same approach, pulling harder on the same knot, hoping it will magically untangle. But what if the real solution lies in flipping our thinking completely?

There’s a classic Seinfeld episode that captures this idea brilliantly. In it, George Costanza, after a lifetime of bad decisions, decides to do the exact opposite of what he would normally do. Instead of sabotaging himself, he suddenly starts winning - the right job, the right relationship, and a series of unexpected successes. It’s hilarious, but it also speaks to a universal truth.

When the usual approach isn’t working, great leaders don’t push harder in the same direction - they challenge their instincts and look for a new angle. They ask, "What’s the opposite of what I’ve been doing?" This shift in perspective is often the key to a breakthrough.

The challenge, of course, is that it’s hard to see our own blind spots. We get caught in patterns, convinced that if we try harder, things will fall into place. But true transformation happens when we’re willing to step back, question our assumptions, and experiment with a radically different approach.

I have walked this path myself, and now it’s one of the most powerful tools I use with clients. I help them turn their biggest challenges upside down and uncover the solutions that were hiding in plain sight.

So, if you are feeling stuck, try doing the opposite. Challenge the way you have been thinking. And if you need someone to help you see the hidden path forward, let’s talk. Sometimes, the best way out isn’t through - it's in a completely different direction.