Lack Self Appreciation? No Wonder You're Stuck.

Happy Autumn! With the summer coming to a close and cooler weather setting in, there is eagerness in the air to meet the new days ahead productively!!

I want to offer some assistance to help you be more productive. How do we do that? Well first let’s start with a clearer perspective for the job ahead.

I often hear from people and organizations that they've “plateaued”. I never thought that much about this terminology, but at dinner last night it struck me how the language itself precludes progress. A Plateau is an area or surface that lacks rise or ascent – it is relatively flat specifically in contrast to the surrounding terrain or topography leading to it which is characterized by steep if not vertical ascents.  Plateaus are typically found at high elevation and often are absent any further opportunity to climb higher. And it is exactly the desire to climb higher that makes the use of the term “plateau” so ill fitting. When you reach a plateau – enjoy the view because typically it represents the end of the climb. However, this isn't where those who feel that they have “plateaued” want to be, they want to climb higher.

I would suggest that when our progress seems to have been frustrated we think in terms of stairs and not plateaus.

There are several components to a flight of stairs: horizontal (the tread), diagonal (the runner or string), vertical (the riser), the handrail(s), etc. I want to focus on the tread and the riser. Instead of understanding a halt in our progress as having reached a plateau, we want to realize that we’ve completed a step and have safely secured our footing on the tread. 

The level ground we find ourselves standing on is not a plateau at all, but a place of mastery. Mastery when we realize that it represents accomplishment, achievement and success in life or business  - thus far. We understand that it is not the goal nor our hoped for result. However, as many of us would stop during a long climb up a steep staircase, it gives us the chance to pause, reflect, catch our breath as we prepare for the continued journey up. If the risers (the height of step – typically 6” – 7”) are the same, then the remaining climb requires little more than effort to reach the top. 

Unfortunately the risers of life are rarely all the same height. 

At one point or another we’ve climbed a staircase that had uneven steps. This happened to me at house I once rented. The front 4 brick steps were horribly mismatched and I tripped and fell several times a week. In the end I had to devise an entirely different approach to this section of the walkway if I was going to get into the house without injury. Likewise, when on life’s staircase we run into risers of unexpected or atypical heights many trip and fall (progress is stymied).

The sudden lack of progress is often mistaken for having “plateaued”. However, this is not a plateau but a place where the previous effort, knowledge and skills aren't enough to get us up onto the next step, triggering the need for a new approach forward. 

What to do………Don't panic but appreciate. Create a different mindset. 

After we’re back up on our feet firmly standing on the tread, look back and take stock. Assess progress thus far and appreciate the mastery of the knowledge, skills and effort deployed to bring you to this point. A favorable mindset about what has been accomplished creates a protective barrier that insulates against the discouragement that can easily set in after an effort falls short of its goal.  Affirming what has been attained is wonderful salve that can soothe the scrapes and cuts on an ego that is smarting from having been tripped up and fallen. Understanding that mastery has been achieved pours the foundation of a positive disposition (which is essential to continue forward progress). 

Mastery of anything is typically accomplished through wholehearted effort. Yet along the way that effort may not be fully recognized, simply overlooked or dismissed as part of the process. This is not right. It is when we have not been able to ascend the next riser that we need to understand and appreciate what’s enabled us to climb thus far and stand on this tread of life’s staircase.  The confidence and encouragement gained from the right assessment of our progress so far are critical to continuing the climb and kick starting productive work again. 

Eric