#292 Repeated frustration

Blaise Pascal's 17th-century wisdom "the more it changes, the more it stays the same" reveals why we encounter the same issues despite changing circumstances. This recurring phenomenon happens because real transformation requires addressing underlying patterns rather than just changing our environment.

• Patterns repeat when they're not addressed - recurring tensions in new places are clues, not signs you're broken
• Real transformation happens beneath the surface - changing environments helps, but mindset must shift too
• Awareness is the real power move - noticing patterns breaks reactive cycles and enables learning
• We often chase change when what we really need is clarity about what keeps circling back

If you or your team are navigating change but keep running into familiar roadblocks, I help organizations recognize what's really at play. Visit growthinstigatorscom, let's set up a discovery call and, as always, keep instigating growth in all you do.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Pascal's Quote
• 0:56 Why Old Patterns Keep Repeating
• 1:21 Three Key Insights About Transformation
• 2:19 Call to Action and Contact Information

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Welcome to message 292 of the Growth Instigators Hotline, where we ignite your personal and professional development. I'm Aaron Havens, your host and growth coach. This message especially goes out to Elise oh.

Speaker 2: 0:14

Aaron, what suspense, what suspense. You're something else. I have a lot of things in mind, but one thing came in mind today and I'm going to select it. It's from Blaise Pascal, a French philosopher, I believe, of the 17th century. I didn't double-check my sources, and the sentence is plus ça change, plus ça reste le même the more it changes, the more it stays the same. All right for us to think about. Is that true really? The more it changes, the more it stays the same? As for us to think about, is that true really? The more it changes, the more it stays the same? Perhaps in some respects, but not in other respects.

Speaker 1: 0:55

There's a reason that old phrase sticks around. It reminds us that the same issues can keep coming back. You change jobs only to run into the same frustrations. You switch relationships and encounter familiar patterns. You level up your business, but the stress still finds you. Big changes often just reveal the same core truths that were already there, and here's three thoughts of why this matters to you today.

Speaker 1: 1:21

Number one patterns repeat when they're not addressed. If you find yourself facing the same tension in a new place, it's a clue, not that you're broken, but that there's something to learn you haven't yet fully faced. Number two real transformation happens beneath the surface. Changing your environment or role can help, but if your mindset, habits or unresolved issues stay the same, so will the results. And lastly, today, awareness is the real power move. It's not about judging yourself, it's about noticing the pattern. Once you name it, you're no longer just reacting, you're learning.

Speaker 1: 1:59

Would you pause and ask yourself this question what's one repeated frustration that seems to follow you from season to season? Now dig deeper. What's the underlining pattern? What's the truth that's trying to teach you? We often chase change when what we really need is clarity, and clarity starts by noticing what keeps circling back. Thank you for calling Growth Instigators Hotline. I'd love to hear from you. Leave a message after the beep or send an email to Aaron at growthinstigatorscom and let me know what's one recurring pattern you've noticed in your life or leadership and what do you think it might be trying to teach you. And if you or your team are navigating change but keep running into familiar roadblocks, I help organizations recognize what's really at play. Visit growthinstigatorscom and let's set up a discovery call and, as always, keep instigating growth in all you do.