How do you know when apparent “stuckness” is really much-needed stillness? My last article explored how coaches can respond effectively to frustration, theirs or their client’s, when the client is not making progress they want. Now – let’s turn our attention to the flip-side of this conversation: When “stuckness” may not be stuckness at all.
Before you or your client hit the teeth-gnashing stage, consider:
1) Time or timing – Something isn’t fully “cooked” yet, so it is not time. Or factors that need to come together have not yet done so; all the moving parts of your intention are not aligned yet.
⇒ Tip: Dialogue with your goal. In a quiet reflective space, tune in to your envisioned outcome and ask it what is needed to support it with coming about.
2) Wisdom or awareness – There’s an awareness for you to access, something to experience and perhaps grow through that will either clear the way or add value to what you’re wanting to create. Or perhaps there are additional resources needed that have not yet been identified or fully leveraged.
⇒ Tip: While in your contemplative process, tune into your wisdom within. Ask for any needed awareness AND ask for insight on how to be patient in the unfolding process.
3) Perspective or recognition – Stop thinking only in terms of linear, external movement. If your path is calling you in a slightly different direction, the outcome – or the journey to it – may not look the way you thought it would. If you’re only looking for certain indicators as signs of “progress,” you can make yourself wrong, or at the very least feel confused, when you don’t see what you expected to see as progress. (This in turn can knock huge holes in your self trust.)
⇒ Tip: Rethink “movement” to include your insights, shifts and growth. Give yourself full credit for all movement, no matter how subtle. As you bring more compassion to yourself and your journey, you will more quickly recognize all movement, internal as well as external, non-linear as well as linear.
One more thought: If you are graduating from linear creating to multi-dimensional creating, it may mean letting go of a need for straight-line, predictable movement.
As an example of non-linear, multi-dimensional movement, think of an air mattress. When you being to inflate it, the inflation does not start at one end, inflate fully and move sequentially through the mattress. In inflates all over…..a little bit at the time. Initially there’s not much external evidence of inflation occurring, but you know air is going into the mattress. Toward the end, though, it puffs up quickly so you get more immediate indication of your efforts.
Bottom line: Sometimes what we may think of as “stuckness” may be a much needed part of the overall journey. Think in terms of multi-dimensional, rather than linear, movement.
Want more on how to support yourself and your clients with multi-dimensional movement? You may be interested in my mentoring group for coaches where we explore how you encourage progress with your clients while helping them make the most of non-movement when it occurs.
In celebration of your multi-dimensional movement and success!
Lyn
