Put the hammer down

Over the last few weeks whilst out for a walk I've been finding nails on the pavement. 

I'd pick them up and put them in the nearest rubbish bin, and then a few days later find another one and do the same. It's still a mystery where they're coming from.

One day I'd just picked a nail off the pavement, and thought I saw another one - until I realised my error - as it was just a twig!

It reminded me of the saying  

When you've got a hammer everything looks like a nail.

Its easily done - and may be the reason for a current situation you're feeling very stuck about?

When we're seemingly going around in circles, or stuck in a rut, or getting the same unwanted results, you may want to check you're not just walking around with a hammer in your hand!

The metaphorical hammers in our lives might be as a result of:

• Being too comfortable in our comfort zones. The best means I've found for getting out of mine is to do something different everyday. Although I did enjoy exploring what impact a comfort universe might have last year! 
• Making assumptions that everyone is just like us - and using what we see as evidence to support that - even though when we're seeing a nail it's really a twig!
• Forgetting that we only know a very small percentage of the facts and data and do need to ensure we get as wide a perspective as possible.  
• Being stuck in a rut of just doing the same thing over and over. One unconventional means of getting out of a rut is to go and find a real one ... as you'll see here 

• Expecting different results from doing the same thing
• Blaming others 
• Getting stuck in a role or pattern of behaviour with another person   
• and so on (I'd love to know your suggestions for hammers we carry in our lives - work or personal)

Where in your life might you be rigidly holding onto the hammer, and what do you need to do to put the hammer down?

Alison Smith
The Purchasing Coach 
Unlocking procurement potential