We have all been there! We’ve started the process and we’re moving forward, and then we hit a dead end. It could be weight loss, a spiritual practice, a professional endeavor, or a home makeover. You feel stuck and don’t want to go back to the way things were before, but you feel discouraged and maybe bored and uninspired. What should you do?
A plateau is a wonderful point from which to reevaluate your initial plans, goals, or commitments. Could you get excited about making some changes that would breathe some life into your goals? Could you, for example, hire a personal trainer, add delicious new foods to your healthy diet, take a trip, add new elements to your original running plan, hire a coach, ask for help, or read an inspiring new book?
At this point in the change process, it’s important to celebrate the progress you’ve already made. From this point of view, you can review the next stage of your journey, to assess if you are on a course that still resonates with you. If not, rebuild your vision based on past successes. This is what happened to me with my career. I first pursued social work and worked with different populations (such as the elderly, children, developmentally challenged, immigrants, homeless, etc.) at different times to develop my skill level. I became known for my play therapy with children and have written and lectured on these techniques. Later, I earned my Ph.D. in coaching (building on my first two degrees in social work). I specialized in coaching women and then specialized even more in working with metaphysically minded women around the world. Each step was a point to reassess and make educational and professional development plans. Following your interests and looking for exciting ways to build the foundation for your life expressions can be a creative challenge. However, when you get stuck, try to find creative ways to move forward with passion.
Sometimes the tray is here to help us. It is a time of integration, reflection and re-evaluation. Trying to fight the plateau by running forward can backfire. Consider the possibility of feeling stuck, unmotivated, and uninspired in your meditation and prayer practices. Ask the plateau what it is trying to tell you, listen carefully and acknowledge these ideas. Take action if necessary. Carl Jung told us that the psyche is always trying to heal itself. How is your plateau trying to heal and help you?