IGMT 006: Traffic Patterns are Ruining My Life

I have lived on the same road since 1979. That means I’ve been taking the same route, making the same left turn onto the main road for over four decades. I could do it blindfolded (but didn’t, because, you know, laws). It was perfect—a quick left, on my way, no hassle.

Until they changed the traffic pattern.

Now, I can’t turn left anymore. Nope. My once-efficient route has been stolen from me, replaced with some convoluted "loop around and turn right" nonsense. It adds maybe a minute and a half to my drive, but let me tell you, it has completely ruined my mornings. Every day, I find myself gripping the steering wheel just a little tighter, sighing dramatically like I’m the lead in a soap opera, and muttering things under my breath that would make my grandmother wash my mouth out with soap.

It’s not about the extra time. It’s the change. It’s the fact that something I’ve done effortlessly for 40+ years has been taken away from me. And if I, a fully grown (debatable) adult, struggle with a minor change like this, imagine what happens when an athlete’s routine gets disrupted.

...And it got me thinking.

Why Our Brains Hate Change

The human brain is a wonderful, complex machine—but also a total diva when it comes to change. It craves predictability because predictable things don’t require effort. Think about it:

When was the last time you had to think about tying your shoes? You just do it.

Ever driven home and realized you don’t even remember the drive? Your brain went on autopilot.

Our minds love efficiency, and when we repeat an action over and over, it gets filed under “automatic.” This saves energy for things that require actual thought—like remembering your anniversary or pretending to understand the latest slang your athletes are using.

But when something changes—like a traffic pattern, a new coaching strategy, or a sudden switch in a player’s role—the brain rebels. Instead of effortless execution, now it has to pay attention again. And it doesn’t like that one bit.

How This Shows Up in Sports

Athletes thrive on routine. From pregame rituals to warm-up drills to mental preparation, their success is often tied to repetition. But throw in an unexpected change, and suddenly things get messy:

• A basketball player who always shoots free throws in the same order now has to adjust to a different pre-shot routine.
• A soccer player who’s played forward their whole career is suddenly moved to midfield.
• A coach introduces a new strategy mid-season, and players struggle to adapt.

Even small disruptions can cause frustration, hesitation, and loss of confidence—all because our brains resist rewiring.

Training Ourselves (and Athletes) to Handle Change Better

The good news? Adaptability is a skill, just like shooting, passing, or making questionable halftime speeches. Here’s how we (coaches, parents, and athletes) can train our brains to handle change more smoothly:

• Recognize the Resistance – When change happens, expect discomfort. Just because something feels bad doesn’t mean it is bad.
• Reframe the Narrative – Instead of “This sucks,” shift to “This is an opportunity to grow.” Yes, I know that sounds like something you’d see on an inspirational poster, but it works.
• Practice Small Adaptations – Encourage flexibility by mixing up routines in practice. Change warm-ups, introduce unexpected drills, and create situations where athletes must adjust on the fly.
• Use a Reset Cue – Have athletes use a trigger word (like “reset” or “breathe”) when they feel thrown off by change. This helps them refocus rather than spiral into frustration.
• Find the Humor – Let’s be real—sometimes the best way to deal with change is to laugh at how ridiculous our reactions are. If I can survive a minor traffic inconvenience, your athlete can survive a new defensive scheme.

Final Thought

Change is inevitable—but our response to it is a choice. If a minor left-turn ban can send me into a spiral, imagine what bigger disruptions do to our athletes. The key isn’t avoiding change—it’s training ourselves to adjust without losing focus.

It’s something I talked about in a previous Focus Fridays episode—how coaches can navigate change effectively without letting it derail progress. Whether it’s a shift in team roles, new strategies, or just the unpredictability of sports, our ability to adapt sets the tone for the athletes we coach. If we panic, they panic. If we stay flexible, they learn to do the same.

If you want to dive deeper into handling change as a coach, check out this Focus Fridays episode: Breaking Down Barriers (Ep. 16).

And maybe, just maybe, I’ll learn to embrace my new route one day. (But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.)

Until next time—#DontSuck and remember, it’s either one day or day one.

~Dan