Have you been pursuing a dream, vision or goal, and suddenly hit a brick wall? All of a sudden, your progress has stopped or plateaued. Has that ever happened to you? I think it would be unusual if it hadn’t. Progress rarely is constant or happens in a straight line. Read the accompanying article, 2 Steps Forward, 1 Back… Master the Dance of Change.

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Have you been pursuing a dream, vision or goal, and suddenly hit a brick wall? All of a sudden, your progress has stopped or plateaued. Has that ever happened to you? I think it would be unusual if it hadn’t.

Progress rarely in a straight line. It’s like a child learning how to play with building blocks. They put one on top of the other, and but they rarely line up perfectly on top of each other. Instead, they set a few up, and then one or two fall down. It gives you an opportunity to find a better alignment and stability for the ones farther up. Sometimes, every time you set those same blocks, they fall down. It means that there needs to be some adjustment made to progress.

Have you ever been on a diet? If so, you’ll notice this when you’re on a diet, and you plateau on your weight. It’s frustrating, but this is just your body get adjusted to your new normal. Be patient and persistent. Soon, the scale will show lower numbers again.

Progress is like a steep set of stairs. When you climb a few, you have to stop to catch your breath, rest, and let your legs recover. You haven’t reached the top, but having to rest is no excuse to give up and descend back to the bottom. Instead, after you rest, you climb a few more.

They’re an old saying, “Practice makes perfect.” I think it’s incorrect. I think it’s more, “Practice makes progress, not perfection.” When your progress has plateaued, persist in your practice. Catch your breath, then keep going. You’re getting stronger, adjusting to your new normal, and getting prepared for your next leap forward.

~ Linda-Ann Stewart