Anywhere but here. Is Being Lost in the Middle a Problem?

I have been pondering on how we can over-focus on achieving and accomplishing goals and how it may impact our desired outcomes.

It is human nature to desire to be content and feel accomplished in all aspects of our life. I have never met anyone who doesn't want this at some level. The level of content or success is defined only by the individual person, of course.

We have aspirations, which is highly commendable.

We want to grow, which is life-affirming.

However, when we don’t see change or results on our journey we feel lost, stuck, or what I’m calling “in the middle.”

Just because we are striving for something greater, it doesn’t mean we are not making progress right where we currently are.

I think that when you have the awareness that you want to improve or change a certain area of your life like work, relationships, business, health etc., it IS in itself a step forward.

Awareness is the first step required to produce progress.

It is vitally important that we search for, and recognize all the steps that are “behind the scenes” as proof that we are making progress.

Finding all the ways in which we are moving toward a goal, shows us how we are continuously showing up for ourselves day-to-day, no matter what.

And even if we take a few failures along the way, the net gain is always positive when we stay consistent and committed. Success is guaranteed with committed action. Conversely, you are guaranteed to stay where you are if you don't try.

I always like to remind myself that we all learn to sit up way before we can run.

The wonder of being a human infant is, as babies, we don’t judge ourselves for not knowing how to walk before we are physically able to. But a baby doesn't quit before developing the balance, strength, coordination, and practice including all the falters and falls. Babies keep going until the walking happens. The success is guaranteed!

Another example I love is of an acorn. Picture yourself as an acorn someone find on the ground. At first, they see you as just a big brown seed. But then, what if they decide to plant that seed and care for it. Fast forward now the “mighty oak tree” with its enormous trunk and expansive branches. Even if you don’t know all the stages, you can imagine that a mature oak tree went through many stages of growth to reach it’s current state of glory in nature.

So, my hope is that we all take a minute to cherish being in the middle - the space where all the growth takes place, the space where the pain of defeats and the joys of progress happen and not get stuck in longing for the future that will never arrive unless we are fully present and engaged in the here and now.

If you’re focused only on outcomes, you can hinder your progress by your impatience or frustration that inevitably leads to hestitation and maybe even worse, inaction.

Stay in the middle. Love it here right now.

Don’t rob yourself of the learning that you can experience is this beautiful zone of creation and the deep sense of accomplishment that comes only through having embraced the highs and lows of the journey to a big goal.

So being in the middle is not the problem after all, it’s the way OUT of the problem.

Here’s to living in the middle - exactly where we all are supposed to be.

Coach Penny