We’ve all heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. But, I’ve found that, surprisingly, there’s a good deal of repetition required even when I’m doing the right thing over and over again.

It conservatively took our children almost a decade to use their manners consistently. While it might have driven me a little insane, eventually we got our desired outcome.

This week I was reminded that just because I’m not getting my ideal result doesn’t necessarily mean I have to change what I’m doing. It could very well take years before I get the conclusion I crave, and in certain cases, I’ll never get it—God knows it’s been fifteen years and those crackerjacks still can’t manage to get their shoes in the bin.

The question I ask myself when it comes to my communication is, Am I being mature and kind? My long game now is so much more about my process and so much less about the result.