Ignore And Override - The Guaranteed Way To Double Your Problems 😰

---

A favourite tactic used by men and women alike is "Ignore and Override." Shoulder hurts during push-ups? Ignore it and train anyway. Feeling overwhelmed at work? A strong drink will fix that. Exhausted midweek? More coffee it is.

It feels like a quick fix—just push through, pretend it's fine, and keep moving. But "Ignore and Override" is often just kicking the can down the road**.** Sure, it helps in the moment, but it often doubles your problems later on.

The hardest thing to do is usually the simplest: face whatever it is you're trying to ignore. To shine a light on it and just sit with it…

Something I picked up from a mentor:

"All actions are an attempt at solving a problem."

Even the so-called "bad" actions work—the question is, at what cost?

The Takeaway:

Next time you catch yourself ignoring & overriding—whether it's pain, stress, or exhaustion—pause for a second. Ask yourself:

"What problem am I trying to solve?” and for bonus points “What's the cost of taking a shortcut?"

Then aim to create a little space and help you make a decision that helps you both in the moment and tomorrow.

I'm certainly no saint either. I've raided the snack drawer more than a few times, scrambled to find a decent bottle of wine on a Tuesday night, and ignored more than a few injuries. The aim isn't to be perfect but to do things a little better. To avoid letting these quick-fix actions become a habit.

To create a gap between thought and action.

---

P.S. If you enjoyed this week's Thursday Three, please share it with a friend.

Thanks,

Jamie