I grew up in a very ‘traditional’ home.  My mom was a ‘stay at home’ mom and my dad was a ‘work at the office’ dad.  His office just happened to be at the hospital.  

Every now and then, back in the pre-seatbelt 70s, dad would get home from work and my parents would load all of us into the car and head to an all-you-eat buffet in town.  It was a treat for us kids because we could have anything we wanted and we could pretend we were at a fancy restaurant (we weren’t).  It was a treat for my mom because someone else was doing the cooking (something she was good at but never enjoyed much) and the cleaning up.  And it was a treat for my dad because he could have prime rib and shrimp – and feed us all! – without breaking the bank.

On one such evening, we were all excitedly loaded into the car and heading north on a main boulevard towards this restaurant when my dad suddenly pulled the car over to the right shoulder of the road.  Interrupting any buffet visions we had of scones and mashed potatoes and soft serve ice cream, he told us all – including mom – to stay in the car, saying he “would be back.”  

I don’t remember what we had for dinner that night but it wasn’t scones and mashed potatoes and prime rib and shrimp. 

I do remember some details of that night.  

I remember it being summer because it was still light outside and very warm in the car.  I remember how long we had to wait (really long!).  I remember hearing the sirens coming.  I remember the blood on the short sleeve white oxford shirt dad was wearing. I remember dad getting back in the driver’s seat and slowly turning the car around. And I remember no one speaking much when we headed back up the hill toward home.

An ‘about-face’ is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a 180 degree turn from the position of attention, a reversal of direction, a reversal of attitude, behavior, or point of view.”

…A change of direction in your attention, attitude, behavior, or point of view. 

Hannah Braime says there are 11 ways to find this change in direction:

1. Draw the line between [productive] thinking and overthinking
2. Take action
3. Trust your instincts
4. Notice what makes you feel alive, enthusiastic and valuable
5. Discover your strengths
6. Focus on your values
7. Surround yourself with supportive people
8. Adopt an attitude of openness and eagerness
9. Play Devil’s advocate – with yourself
10. Plan in advance how you’ll spend your time
11. Develop a goal-attainment strategy

My dad was not a “Doctor” doctor.  He graduated from med school, yes. But he specialized in pathology and microbiology and didn’t see regular patients.  That being said, he took an oath at his med school graduation in the early 60s and honored that oath seriously.  So when he saw that car accident that night and knew he was the first on scene, he did what he had sworn to do.  He abruptly changed the direction of his attention from the hungry kids in the car and he helped.

I can’t wait to hear about what in your life needs a drastic – or not so drastic – change of direction.  I’d love to help.