When Results are Delayed 

When a client comes to me for coaching, it’s usually for one or both of these reasons: 

1. The client wants to make a change, such as find a new job or career, make a successful transition in a promotion or move, or implement a new structure at an organization.
2. The client wants to evolve her or himself by engaging in ongoing professional and personal development.

This article is going to address the first reason, and the challenges that come up when it feels daunting to continue taking action without immediate results in sight. 

Here in Southwest Colorado, one of the great outdoor joys that we get to experience is exceptional hiking.  This includes trails along rivers, in beautiful red rock canyons, and in mountains from 6500’ elevation to 14,000’ elevation.  It struck me that  hiking can be analogous to some situations when results are feeling elusive. 

There are some hikes where you walk and walk and walk (or climb and climb and climb!) and the terrain seems much the same.  Most of us want a “payoff” when we hike – a spectacular view, to reach the waterfall, or to reach the summit of a mountain.  At a minimum, we expect to have the reward of lunch when we reach where we’re going.  There are of course other reasons to hike, such as fresh air, exercise, camaraderie, and adventure.  But we  want the payoff. 

There is a popular hike here that goes up Engineer Mountain.  It has several payoffs along the way, which is probably one reason why it’s popular.  There are wildflowers almost from the trailhead, peekaboo views along the way, a spectacular view and picnic spot in an alpine meadow before the ascent to the summit.  And for the hardy, there is a challenging rock climb to the very top. 

There is a less popular hike called Haflin Creek.  It is mostly a series of switchbacks and hiking through the forest with a limited sightline.  It climbs and climbs.  After about 3.5 miles and an elevation gain of over 3000 feet, there is the payoff of a lovely view of the Animas Valley and surrounding mountains.  But there is a LONG time where it is monotonous, and you keep thinking, “it’ll be great just around the bend…”  but then it’s more of the same.  But you keep going, because you’ve already invested a lot of time and energy to get to this point, and you know that eventually there WILL be a payoff.  And to turn around only guarantees more of the same. 

We are creatures of instant gratification, more and more so.  We can communicate instantly and 24/7 via email, anywhere via cell phone, and can order virtually anything in the world via the internet and have it delivered to our doorstep.  No wonder we want our results on a silver platter, too.  Just order them up! 

Part of my job as a coach is to lend perspective and a timeframe as to what the client is willing to do to achieve the desired results, by when.  Getting clear about expectations and tradeoffs can be immensely helpful when evaluating progress.  Examples of goals that can feel like the Haflin Creek hike include: 

v      Making sales calls

v      Losing weight

v      Motivating a team

v      Finding a job

v      Getting in shape

v      Learning a new skill

v      Writing a book

v      Working through a difficult relationship (or hey, even one that’s not difficult!)

v      Building a business 

In all of these examples, you can feel as though you have put in enormous effort, are doing all of the right things, and are still not seeing the results you desire.  You’re in that continuous-switchback-limited-sightline-because-of-the-trees mode.  It’s hard to stay motivated and continue to believe that you will accomplish what made you start in the first place.

 However, it is virtually a certainty that if you keep doing the right things and keep slogging though the mud that results will come.  If you undertake an exercise program and work at it diligently, your level of fitness WILL improve – guaranteed.  But simply slogging through is not enough.  Doing a few of the right things is most likely not enough.  It is the combination of continuing to hike AND doing the right things such as having a good map, the right gear, and adequate water and food that ensures the payoff at the end of a hike.  So it is with any of the above goals.  A coach can  help the client see what’s needed most next. 

It is sometimes easier, or at least more interesting, to change direction than it is to stay the course.  But staying the course is often what makes the difference – think about the 80/20 rule.  If you are one of the 20% who can keep going when 80% give up, you will get to the payoff.  The art of adaptability is knowing when to stay the course, and when to adapt or make wholesale change – again, a coach can help with this.  Anyone who has ever hiked alone vs. with a companion knows what a difference it makes to have support. 

There is a distinction between a zen-like practice where you keep going, because that is what you are doing, versus having the wonderful accomplishment of achieving a goal.  Peace comes with taking satisfaction in both. 

Questions to ask when going back and forth on switchbacks:

1. What are 5 possible actions I could take toward my goal today, this week, this month?
2. Which of these will move me furthest along on the path?
3. What detours have kept me from progressing the way I’d like to? (procrastination, distraction, other opportunities, questioning the path)
4. Will the payoff be worth the hike?
5. Does the “hike” have value in and of itself?  What can I learn from it?
6. If I stop, what are the consequences?  Is there any payoff?

Ways to keep going:

1. Remember that being in the woods is not forever, though it can feel like it. 
2. Enjoy the exercise.  When you reach the “payoff” you’ll have to start another hike, anyway (you’re never done).
3. Identify milestones along the way that will help you to take satisfaction in progress.
4. If the payoff is too far away, consider editing the destination.
5. Can you find some fun companions for the journey?
6. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and tough it out.  Sorry.  It is inner discipline that distinguishes average from exceptional.  Keep going.
7. When you hit a stream or a mud pit, sometimes there’s an easier way path.  Sometimes it makes sense to stop and evaluate, seek counsel.  Sometimes there isn’t an easier path, but knowing you looked at the alternatives makes it easier to slog through the water.
8. It is inevitable that if you keep hiking, you will get somewhere else.  And if you take the right actions, you will get to the destination you’re after.  Even if it takes a bit longer and is a bit harder than desired.

Too many people give up too easily.  That spells opportunity for the rest of us.  Let me know if you would like a companion along the path!

Resources/ Recommendations 

Books:  Leadership and Self Deception, by the Arbinger Institute.  A fascinating model for transforming self centered behavior into contributing behavior, as individuals and organizations.

Music:  Over the Rhine – Drunkard’s Prayer.  I’d never heard of this group, but happened to pick up the earphone at a bookstore in Lexington, Kentucky while there for a board meeting in June.  Soulful female vocals with a lilting folk feel.  I can’t wait to hear something else by them.