Do you repeat the same mistakes expecting Success?

How we convince ourselves of different results by doing the same thing again. And How to fix it!

Have you ever found yourself in the deja vu loop of trying the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result each time? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. It turns out that this peculiar habit has a special place in the human experience, and there might be more to it than just a case of absent-mindedness or stubbornness.

Maybe you end up dating the same type hoping “this will will be different”.

Or maybe you’re a gamer attacking the same challenge into the night using the same strategy only to fail repeatably.

Are you a sports professional wondering why the team keep losing despite their skills improving? Maybe it’s not a skills problem!

You get the idea, whether it’s the small things or those that matter to your career and life priorities — we all repeat the same mistakes hoping for success.

Let’s dive into the curious world of repetitive behavior and explore the quirky reasons behind why we often find ourselves caught in the Groundhog Day of life.

The Illusion of Control:

One of the reasons we keep revisiting the same strategies is our innate desire for control. Imagine you tried something, it didn’t work out as planned, but rather than admitting defeat, you convince yourself that the outcome wasn’t what you wanted because you didn’t execute it perfectly. The next logical step? Try it again, with a slightly different approach, in the hope that this time, you’ll master the art of control.

“if you try hard enough, you’ll find the cheese”

It’s like trying to navigate a maze blindfolded — you can’t see where you’re going, but darn it, you’re convinced that if you try hard enough, you’ll find the cheese. So, we repeat the same actions, thinking that this time, we’ll somehow gain the upper hand and get the result we’ve been chasing.

Psychologists have long studied the concept of perceived control, which refers to the belief that individuals can influence the outcome of events in their lives. The work of psychologist Julian Rotter introduced the idea of locus of control — the extent to which people believe they have control over the events that affect them.

When we repeat the same actions, hoping for a different result, it often stems from the illusion that we can control the outcome by refining our approach. Studies in cognitive psychology suggest that this desire for control is deeply rooted in our need for agency and predictability, even in situations where outcomes are largely uncertain.

The Comfort of Familiarity:

Humans are creatures of habit. We find comfort in the familiar, even if the familiar involves repeated failures. The known, no matter how unpleasant, feels safer than the unknown. So, rather than stepping into uncharted territory and risking a different, possibly better, outcome, we choose the predictability of the familiar cycle.

Imagine wearing your comfiest, slightly worn-out sneakers — sure, they might not be in pristine condition, but they’ve moulded to your feet, and there’s a sense of security in that.

Neuroscientists have explored the role of the brain’s reward system in shaping our preferences for the familiar. The amygdala, a key player in processing emotions, plays a crucial role in reinforcing familiarity. When we encounter something familiar, the brain experiences a sense of comfort and safety, triggering the release of neurotransmitters associated with pleasure.

This neurological response encourages us to stick with what we know, even if it means repeating unsuccessful patterns. The comfort of familiarity becomes a powerful motivator, influencing our choices and behavior.

The Hopeful Optimism:

Maybe, just maybe, we’re all secret optimists at heart. Despite the evidence stacked against us, there’s a glimmer of hope that the next attempt will be the charm. We’re eternal optimists, believing that our luck is about to change, and this time, success is practically guaranteed.

It’s akin to playing the Casino — the odds are slim, but someone has to win, right? We cling to the belief that lightning will strike, and our repeated efforts will finally pay off in the way we envision.

The phenomenon of hopeful optimism finds support in the field of positive psychology. Psychologist Martin Seligman, known for his work on learned helplessness and optimism, suggests that optimistic individuals are more likely to persevere in the face of challenges. This positive outlook, even in the absence of concrete evidence, can lead people to persist in their efforts, anticipating a brighter future.

Neuroscientific studies also highlight the role of neurotransmitters like dopamine in reward-based learning. The anticipation of a positive outcome, however unlikely, can activate the brain’s reward system, reinforcing the behavior of repeated attempts.

The Learning Curve:

Repetition isn’t always a sign of insanity; sometimes, it’s a reflection of the learning process. Think about learning to ride a bike or mastering a new instrument. It’s the repetition that helps us improve and refine our skills. In this case, repeating the same thing isn’t about expecting a different result but rather about honing our abilities.

Repetition as a part of the learning process is a well-established concept in cognitive psychology. Psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus introduced the forgetting curve, illustrating how information is lost over time without reinforcement. To combat this, repetition — or spaced repetition — is employed as a technique to enhance memory and skill acquisition.

In the context of doing the same thing and expecting a different result, the learning curve aligns with the idea that repeated efforts can lead to improvement and mastery. Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself in response to experience, supports the notion that practice and repetition can reshape neural pathways, contributing to skill development.

Self-Reflection is the First Step

So, the next time you find yourself stuck in the loop of doing the same thing over and over again, take a moment to reflect on whether you’re chasing the elusive perfect execution, seeking comfort in the familiar, embracing your inner optimist, or simply navigating the learning curve.

Understanding the interplay of these psychological and neurological factors provides a nuanced perspective on why we repeat the same actions. Whether driven by a desire for control, the allure of familiarity, hopeful optimism, or the necessity of the learning curve, our penchant for repetition is a complex dance between the mind and its intrinsic motivations.

With human behaviour, the tendency to repeat may seem perplexing, but perhaps it’s just our unique way of navigating the twists and turns of life — one quirky attempt at a time.

Breaking the Loop

A Guide to Escaping the Insanity Cycle and Embracing Success

We’ve all heard that infamous quote about insanity — you know the one:

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Now, whether it was Einstein who dropped this or someone else entirely is still up for debate. But the message is crystal clear. If you’re stuck in the hamster wheel of repeated actions leading to nowhere, it’s time to break free. Here’s a lighthearted guide on how to exit the cycle and give success a chance.

Spoiler Alert! : Just try something else

1. Embrace Your Inner Sherlock: Solve the Mystery of Monotony

Before you can break free from the cycle, channel your inner detective. Take a close look at your repeated actions and ask yourself: What’s not working? Where’s the hiccup in the grand plan? It’s time to play Sherlock and solve the mystery of monotony. Once you pinpoint the problem, you’re one step closer to waving goodbye to insanity.

2. Say ‘Adiós’ to Comfort Zones: They’re Overrated Anyway

Comfort zones are like those old, worn-out pajamas — cozy but seriously holding you back. To exit the cycle, bid farewell to the familiar and embrace the thrill of the unknown. Try something different, even if it feels like doing a tap dance on the edge of a cliff (metaphorically, of course). Success often hides in the uncharted territories beyond your comfort zone.

3. Mix it Up: Your Life Isn’t a Bland Smoothie

Imagine your life as a smoothie — you’ve been blending the same ingredients for ages, hoping for a new flavor. Newsflash: it’s not happening. Toss in some unexpected berries, sprinkle a dash of spontaneity, and blend away. Mix up your routine, inject some excitement, and watch as the concoction of change transforms your mundane smoothie into a success-flavored delight.

4. Fail Fabulously: It’s the New Success

Failure gets a bad rap, but let’s flip the script. Instead of fearing failure, embrace it like a long-lost friend. Every stumble is a step closer to success, and failing fabulously is the new mantra. So, go ahead, try that risky somersault, attempt that daring high-five with destiny — even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars (or at least a constellation of valuable lessons).

5. Ditch Perfection: It’s so Last Season

Perfection is overrated, like wearing a tuxedo to a beach party. Release yourself from the shackles of perfectionism and opt for the messy bun of authenticity instead. Success doesn’t demand flawlessness; it thrives on imperfection and the glorious chaos of trying something new. So, let go of the need to get it right every time — you’ll be surprised at how liberating it feels.

6. Consult the Magic 8-Ball (Or, You Know, Common Sense)

When in doubt, consult the Magic 8-Ball of life. Okay, maybe not literally, but use a dash of common sense and perspective. If what you’re doing isn’t yielding results, it’s time for a change. Trust your instincts, seek advice, and roll the dice of experimentation. Sometimes, the universe rewards the bold — and who knows, your next move might just be the winning roll.

Breaking the cycle is about injecting a dose of playfulness into your approach to life. So, take a deep breath, put on your adventure hat, and boldly step into the unknown. Because, let’s face it, success rarely knocks on the door of monotony.

It’s out there, waiting for you to shake things up and show it a good time.