One of my kids’ favorite books is We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen. I don’t want to give too much away (spoiler alert: they find the bear), but it’s a whimsical story with sing-songy lines that are easy to remember and corresponding silly movements kids and grown-ups alike enjoy acting out. Every page starts out the same way:
We’re going on a bear hunt, We’re going to catch a big one, What a beautiful day!
We’re not scared!
I’m not here to debate the ethical or legal implications of going on a bear hunt, or even the feasibility of a family outing that doesn’t mention multiple potty breaks, several snacks, at least one meltdown, and a lost shoe. What I find most intriguing about this children’s story is the refrain that appears at the end of each page. Whether it’s long, wavy grass; a deep, cold river; or thick, oozy mud the response is the same:
We can’t go over it, We can’t go under it,
Oh no! We’ve got to go through it!
I think it’s fair to say that people don’t often seek coaching when things are going swimmingly. The presenting concern may be something personal or something professional (usually, it’s a combination of the two), but there’s some sort of barrier to an individual’s progress that is causing them to feel stuck.
As people, we do all sorts of things to avoid “the thing” that is getting in the way. In fact, we’re pretty great at it. We procrastinate. We withdraw. We numb. We overcompensate. We try to go over it. We try to go under it.
The problem is that the only way to really move forward is to go through it. But, that feels hard and uncomfortable and scary and impossible. So, we try, again, to go over it. We try, again, to go under it. And, lo and behold, we keep ending up exactly in the same place except now we’re that much more weary, depleted, and frustrated.
Eventually, sigh, we come to terms with the fact that, “Oh no!,” we have to go through the darn thing, but clearly we have no idea how to do that. Otherwise, we would have done it already and not be in this mess that we currently find ourselves in, thank you very much.
This is where a certified coach can be invaluable: to help you to take inventory of your strengths and resources, facilitate uncovering the blind spots that may unwittingly be holding you back, and enable you to consider new pathways to allow you to finally move through “the thing.” Not only can the coaching process empower you to make it through the current obstacle unscathed (I’m proud to report that none of my clients to date have been eaten by bears), but will equip you with the tools, self-awareness, and confidence to navigate future challenges, as well. Because the truth is, whether we like it or not...
We can’t go over it, We can’t go under it,
Oh no! We’ve got to go through it!
If you (or someone you know) could benefit from working with a certified coach and trained facilitator who will provide customized, holistic, and tireless support as you or your team identify and take action towards your goals, please reach out to One Eleven Leadership to set up a complimentary consultation.