This is one of my favorite coaching questions to ask clients.

Here's how it goes...

1. Client says in January - I have an idea!
2. Coach Julie says - Okay it sounds good, let's make a plan.
3. Client & Julie make a plan.
4. Plan starts to be executed in February.
5. Things are slow and hard.
6. Things get launched in March. It's a small win but not a winfall.
7. Client says in March - I think I want to pivot to this (whips out very interesting alternate plan)
8. Coach Julie says (seriously now) - "Was the version of you that wrote up your original plan in January- three months ago- stupid?"

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Most clients who've never heard me say this are a bit taken aback. The knee jerk response is "no of course not". That's exactly the answer I want by the way.

What would have made that client three months ago legitimately stupid?

• If the plan was not well thought out ALL all (like AT ALL)
• The plan was not shown to anyone with experience (no coach, feedback, course, group, etc.)
• They were drunk or high out of their minds when they made it 🤷‍♀️
• They were lying to themselves (or others) about what they really wanted

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If we can cross most of that off the list, then the answer is of course no, you weren't stupid three months ago.

The problem is the plan got hard. Your expectations wobbled. Stuff didn't feel as easy or dreamy as in your imagined vision of walking the plan out.

You were not stupid three months ago, and you're not stupid now.

Then I say, "What's going to stop future you from thinking that you're stupid today?"

That always causes a pause. Because at that moment they realize that it's very likely in three months, they'll look back at today and think the plan isn't good.

Pattern revealed.

If this is a familiar pattern you recognize, don't worry. It's very normal (and common for serial entrepreneurs and visionaries). Plus, sometimes you do actually have to change the plan, and so when that happens, how can you tell the difference between this unhelpful pattern and a true pivot?

So how do you tell the difference?

That's the podcast for today. You can check it out at Million Dollar Grit or on Apple Podcasts.​

And if you're looking for an experienced coach and mentor who can help, I'm just an email away.

xx Julie

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