Feeling that I had reached one, I was looking for an article about reaching a psychological plateau. A Google search gave up lots of articles and I couldn’t believe how many different areas of human endeavor one can reach a psychological plateau. I was specifically interested in plateaus reached while learning to play golf and starting a new business. I found out that in almost everything we try to do we will eventually have a drop in enthusiasm or effort and the desired results seem unattainable, at least in the short-term. This was one definition I found for what has become for me - “the dreaded plateau.” There were articles describing plateau syndromes concerning dieting, learning languages, sports, sexuality, job satisfaction, I could name at least a half-a-dozen more.
A few months ago I started out very enthusiastic about chronicling my exploits of learning how to play golf for the first time and starting a new business from scratch. It has been a lot of fun and I loved the wonderful feedback I have gotten. Yet just two months in, the novelty has begun to wear off and I know I need something fresh, some new motivation.
So I hit the books, er, well Google to learn more about this phenomenon. While doing my research I discovered that this plateau syndrome is so common we might as well just consider it part of the process in gaining any type of success. Let’s first take golf for example… for those of you who actually manage to get a lot of practice in (no jealousy here), you'll find your skill level hitting a plateau. Follow-up lessons will allow your golf instructor to teach you additional skills, for example how to hit a fade or draw, and how to control the spin of your ball. All of these will give you better accuracy in your swing; thereby giving you more reason to be enthused about your next time on the links.
How about if you are trying to drop a few pounds like me: You're exercising, eating well, and steadily losing pounds. Then all of a sudden... BAM!. You reach the “dreaded” plateau. The scale seems stuck, week after week. Don't think you're the only person this happens to (although most people DO believe this only happens to them) - nearly everyone trying to lose weight experiences a phase when the scale won't budge and there's still 5, 10, 15 pounds to go. So, when this happens, you've got a choice to make. You can either call your diet a success (or a failure), or you keep plugging away; which means you’ll have to add something new to your game…a diet fade or curve as it were.
Having worked with hundreds of clients over the years who were starting new business ventures, I know the process is one of peaks and valleys and plateaus! I know that eventually a plateau is reached - where one can be so far from any mountains or valleys where it feels like you’re just treading water – working hard, staying afloat but remaining stationary.
But have you ever taken-in the beauty and majesty of a plateau in nature? It does not possess the low-lying dangers of a valley or the treachery of a rushing river. Nor is it the jagged peak of a mountain. A plateau is a wide mainly level area of elevated land; a land area having a relatively level surface considerably raised above adjoining land on at least one side.And though by definition, a plateau is a period or state of little or no growth or decline; also as a verb it means to remain at a stable level for a relatively long period. Hmmm, so if I were going to be stuck somewhere would I rather be down in the valley with all of the dangers and pitfalls that accompany it; or would I rather be safely perched up high on a level plateau where I can see uninterrupted for miles around and assess my situation and plan my next move?
So as I sit here, looking out across the horizon…I can appreciate that I have reached this inevitable dreaded and beautiful plateau. But from this elevated, safe position, I can determine my next course of action. I can contemplate and ruminate on what has impeded my enthusiasm and excitement. I can work on adding a fade or curve to my game! I will sit down with a trusted adviser, trainer or coach and look at things from various perspectives.
In my Golf game – perhaps I will take a lesson to work one thing for the next few weeks instead of trying to learn so much all at once. Dieting – I can put some air in my tires on my bike and ride at least once a week to increase my exercise. I will talk to my weight reduction counselor for her objective opinion. Finally, for the Business I will meet with my marketing adviser and my business partner and say, “Hey guys – I am totally open to some new ideas and approaches” maybe they won’t faint!
In the meantime, I will enjoy this majestic view and perhaps get in some meditation while I’m up here!
If you would like to read more on the Plateau phenomenon in golf or dieting and fitness, check out the suggested links below:
http://www.healthdiscovery.net/articles/15Plateau_tips.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?Golf-Lessons---A-FAQ-For-Beginners-Learning-Golf-For-the-First-Time&id=1703612
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