Thriving on Life’s Plateaus

If you’re trying to ‘best’ yourself all the time you’re going to burn out.

There’s a point when life will let you know it’s time to slow down or take stock, experience NO change…

These are the plateaus, and they are real and part of the journey.

Instead of rejecting the plateau, respect the plateau.

Planning for the plateau

Decide you’re going to lean into it. Now is the time to work on endurance, vision planning, and so on.

It’s actually easier, here’s why:

The pace is more predictable and the metaphoric terrain less unpredictable.

When you’re in a growth phase, moving at an accelerated pace, you need to focus on the now – flow – channeling your energy into whatever activity has you inspired. This is what I mean by ‘trying to best yourself’.

Eg. There are times I’m feeling very creative and I select creative activities so my mood and energy match the task – and, time stands still. I’ll forget to eat and I go and go until I burn it up and my intuition suggests time to pivot.

Then there are times I’m not feeling it and [my self-awareness] recognizes that. This is the plateau and during those times I select tasks appropriate for that vibe.

👉 There’s a time to sprint and a time to walk.

👉 A time to hit the heavy bag hard and a time to read.

Last week sapped me and this week I’m feeling flat (energetic plateau).

I recognize it and do what I can.

I’m not trying to PR and I’m not comparing myself to last Saturday when I trained 3x…

If I did I’d be:

a) living in the past and

b) depressing the shit out of my ‘today self’.

Get it? It’s all a game.

Play the rules, then break the rules, then create new rules.

Self-awareness is paramount.

Bruce Lee wrote:

“If you always put a limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.” 

Since plateaus are very real, having a strategy to deploy when you recognize one will make your journey through them more efficient and more positive. You can enjoy the inevitable plateau if you have a plan. Don’t stay there but don’t fear it.

Coach B