Is your career, and your life, spiraling out of control…or spiraling towards success? Most people think success comes when you climb a ladder, a lattice, or a staircase to the top. That’s the paradigm of success that’s been diligently taught to most people throughout their lives. You make choices, get promotions, and steadily take the straight road to higher and higher levels of achievement. Right? Well, not quite.

While some zero-in on a direct path, and never waiver from that route, most of us have a more jagged, bumpy, schizophrenic-looking career line (see graphic). More often than not, we find ourselves spiraling toward success as opposed to shooting straight to the top without any detours, setbacks, or tangents. In fact, those who don’t fear the spiraling road–who aren’t afraid to veer from a strict, rigid course of action–will likely be happier, more fulfilled, and ultimately, more successful. Why? Because they’ll never look back with regret wondering if they missed an opportunity or passed on what could have been.

When spiraling towards success, things can get a little scary, a little rough, and a little challenging…because there are no guarantees or certainties. But isn’t that what life’s journey is all about? Experiencing the good and the bad, the triumphs and the failures, the ups and downs along the way?

This past year, I’ve been spiraling towards success by taking a step towards a new, bold venture: writing. I launched The Staak Report, have kept it running for more than a year now, and have steadily increased my readership goals. Whatever happens and wherever those detours will take me is unclear and yet to be determined. But irregardless, I’ve gained experience, broadened my skill set, and empowered myself by strengthening my own voice and level of confidence.

Price Pritchett said, trying harder isn’t necessarily the solution to achieving more. It may not offer any real promise for getting what you want out of life. Sometimes, in fact, it’s a big part of the problem. What I believe Pritchett is saying is that trying harder and harder at the wrong thing wont bring you the success you crave. There are times when it’s no longer advantageous to continue on the straight line path to success. Sometimes you need to veer away instead of forcing yourself to drive ahead. Instead of trying harder at what’s not working, think about spiraling towards success in a new direction. The path may be messier, but the reward may be much greater!

–Sheri Staak