When change feels complex, our brains crave control. Detailed deliverables. Clear deadlines. Guaranteed results. But when our roadmaps collide with reality, even the best-laid plans can quickly fall apart.

The breakdown forces false choices. Should you prioritize speed or accuracy? Innovation or risk management? Your mind gets stuck trying to solve tensions that aren't meant to be resolved, leaving you feeling "not safe enough."

In our brain's rush to feel "safe enough" again, we set goals that are too big, push at them too hard, and expect results too fast—all chasing the belief that we can make change stick.

But change isn't meant to stick. When we cling to past changes as permanent fixes, we lose our capacity to respond effectively as the world around us and within us keeps shifting.

What really keeps us "safe enough" is developing the skills to handle whatever comes next. Complex changes are too unpredictable to control. This means starting with manageable steps instead of overwhelming goals, sensing what's actually happening instead of sticking to rigid plans, and sustaining your effort without burning out.

You often overwhelm yourself by trying to catch up to unrealistic timelines instead........

© Psychology Today