What I've been feeling lately... Adam Grant Edition

The Check-in 030

Hi!! Checking in how are you realllly feeling today.

Me working on my newsletter

I've been somewhat absent from your inbox lately. It all began with a deliberate break; Taking time to process yet another tragic event that we regrettably have to confront as part of our human experience. This pause prompted me to reflect on the appropriate language, timing, and topics for this newsletter. For days, I would sit down at my computer to draft something, only to discard it because it didn't feel right. I found myself caught in this repetitive cycle of feeling stuck, which ultimately led me to avoid this newsletter altogether.

Coincidentally, during this time, I attended a talk by Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist and a top-rated Wharton professor, where he discussed his latest book, "Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things." As a Grant fangirl, I was eager to gain some new insights and was pleasantly surprised to learn that this new book addressed the loss of momentum I had encountered with my newsletter (and faced whenever I felt stuck ).

The book highlights our society's preoccupation with accomplishments and goes on to explain that when we find ourselves stuck and making no progress toward our goals, our motivation tends to wane. This emotional state of feeling stuck is referred to as "languishing," which Grant describes as "muddling through the moments, watching your weeks go by in shades of grey." Discovering the precise name for this frustrating state provided me with immediate relief. Not only did finding an accurate label for my feelings help reduce the stress on my mind and body, but it also empowered me to address the situation, instead of walking away from it.

Grant further offers insights on moving past languishing, with two key principles:

1. Take a detour: Progress and motivation are typically elusive when persisting in unproductive endeavors. Instead, you can build momentum by taking a detour toward a new destination. Making headway in a side hobby or project serves as a reminder that forward motion is possible.

2. Reset your expectations: Instead of attempting to tackle everything at once, it's more effective to focus on one aspect of your goals at a time. Small victories, no matter how modest, play a significant role in building motivation

In addition to shedding light on languishing, "Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things" provides a framework for elevating our aspirations and surpassing our own expectations. Grant offers practical takeaways on how to develop character skills and implement systems that demonstrate how we can all rise to accomplish greater things, regardless of our innate ability or starting point.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Adam for equipping me with the knowledge to conquer obstacles and gain the motivation necessary to unlock my full potential for progress.

Here are a few other Adam Grant resources that I’ve been feeling lately for finding a more joyful path to progress:

• DO: Hidden Potential Assessment Quiz

• WATCH: Ted Talk: How to stop languishing and start finding flow

• LISTEN: Adam Grant ON: Why Discomfort is the Key to Growth ...

With gratitude,
Alexandra
@coaching_by_aw
Coaching by AW 

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