Commit to Continuous Calibration
Welcome to The Subtle Shift, a weekly newsletter where I share small but powerful ideas to help you lead with clarity, inspire change, and create a lasting impact. If someone forwarded this to you and you find it valuable, you can join the community here.
This Week’s Shift: Commit to Continuous Calibration
Most people think change is a one-and-done effort—a big decision or a bold move that resets everything. But in reality, change is an evolutionary process. It requires constant attention, small adjustments, and course corrections to keep us moving in the right direction.
I realized this during a recent road trip over the Thanksgiving holiday. While driving to my sister’s, I noticed how often I constantly made subtle calibrations to the steering wheel and gas pedal. A small turn here, a slight press there—each adjustment kept my car and family safe and on course.
But what if I’d taken my hands off the wheel for too long? We would have drifted into oncoming traffic.
Life, like driving, is about continuous calibration. It’s not enough to set your direction once and assume you’ll arrive at your destination. You must keep checking in, recalibrating, and adjusting your actions to align with your goals and circumstances.
Why Continuous Calibration Matters
We all want to set goals, make a little progress, and coast to the finish line, but that rarely works. The conditions around us are always changing. Goals evolve, priorities shift, and challenges emerge. Without regular adjustments, even the best plans can go off track.
Great leaders and high achievers understand this. They don’t just set a course—they constantly assess and adapt. Whether it’s fine-tuning a team’s strategy, realigning personal priorities, or navigating unexpected obstacles, they commit to the ongoing work of staying aligned.
Simple Practices for Continuous Calibration
You don’t need a major overhaul to recalibrate.
Just like driving, it’s about small, intentional adjustments. Here are a few ways you can build this habit:
Check Your Alignment - At the end of each week, ask yourself if your actions are aligned with your priorities. If not, what is one small adjustment you can make to stay on track? This quick self-check ensures you’re staying focused on what matters most.
Revisit Your Goals - Goals aren’t set in stone. Periodically revisit them to ensure they still reflect your values and aspirations. Are they realistic, given your current circumstances? If not, recalibrate.
Stay Open to Feedback - Just as a GPS recalculates based on new information, you can use feedback to refine your path. Whether it’s input from your team, a mentor, or even your gut instinct, listen and adjust.
Embrace Flexibility - Rigidity is the enemy of progress. Be willing to pivot when necessary. Sometimes, the road you’re on will require a detour—adapt and keep moving forward.
The Power of Subtle Shifts
Continuous calibration isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. By committing to small, consistent adjustments, you’ll stay aligned with your goals and build resilience and confidence in navigating change.
So, as you move through this week, think of your steering wheel. Keep your hands on it. Pay attention. Make the subtle shifts needed to keep yourself—and those you lead—on course.
Keep moving forward.
