Today's blog is about not rushing the process of insight, discovery and transformative change. I'll start with a story of a client who hired me to help him elevate his performance as a leader, without burning out. Then, I'll encourage you to apply the same approach to creating deeper clarity and lasting change for yourself.

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Marc showed up to our coaching session looking far too stressed, which caught me off guard since he was smack in the middle of a tropical holiday, his first long break in years.

"So, what's up?" I asked, noticing a relaxing shift in his posture as he started to respond. He told me that he had been struck by some very helpful insights about his approach to his work lately. Things ​started to click in a helpful way​ a few days into his vacation. 

As his mind relaxed, clarity dawned.

He then dove into his insights on the link between pressure and performance, thoughts about how to better serve his team, and more. As he spoke, I could see him unwind, his gaze lifting, bringing a flow to our conversation that just felt right.

But then, after a few moments of silence, the tension was back. It was like watching a boomerang return to whack its sender in the head. I had to know what was up. What created the shift from peaceful to pressured thinking? 

Out of curiosity, I asked: “What's going through your mind right now Marc?”

He laughed, admitting that he was thinking hard about how to remember and apply all the “aha moments” he was having about his approach to work. The thought of slipping back into old and unhealthy patterns once his vacation ended was freaking him out. 

That's what we explored for the rest of our session, and it sparked the idea for this blog: 

It’s all about making insights stick, not rushing the process, and letting the right actions unfold naturally.

The problem with rushing into action

In my time ​coaching tech leaders​, I’ve seen how much they thrive on action. Get a bit of insight (even worse, back it up with data!), and they're off, changing things up and implementing plans of attack. 

It’s usually a win, right? After all, action is what creates impact!

But here’s the twist: sometimes, that rush to act can make you miss out on something even bigger, something that could lead to more impactful behaviors if you'd slow down and let curiosity lead for a bit longer.

Now back to Marc….

He was in overdrive, trying to turn his insights into a to-do list to boost his leadership and team’s performance. But in doing that, he almost missed the real gold - spending time looking deeper in the direction of his insights and seeing more about how they could impact his work and life.

“Slow it down”, I said. “Don’t rush!”

Here is an example of how silly it can be to rush the process of self-discovery and understanding:

Imagine driving several hours to a hiking trail. You've heard a lot about it, and have decided to make it the highlight of your weekend! You even talk a few of your friends into joining you.

After packing your backpack and tightening your boots, you arrive at the trailhead in nervous anticipation. The trail is longer and harder than you planned, but you persist. After the better part of a day of grinding your way up, you finally arrive at an epic viewpoint. 

Standing atop the mountain, you glance at the vista for hardly a second, before noticing the time and running back down the trail, returning to your car, and after hours more of travel, your home. 

Such a trip would be an utter waste! We all know that the reason for such a hike is to take it all in, the views, the air, everything! Seasoned trekkers get it—they bring lunch, chill at the top, and really live in that moment. It’s a different vibe and feeling. 

By soaking it all in you get a better sense of the place. You also have more inspired thoughts on what to do next! (“Maybe we should hike up to that other mountain far off in the distance next week?”). 

That’s where Marc’s headed now, taking time to be with and marinade in his insights on leading in a fast-paced world without burning himself out. That way, he’s not just learning something helpful; he’s letting those insights change him from the inside-out. 

In doing so, he will more clearly realize what is true and lasting about his insights, and what is just clever but noisy thinking. And from there, the right next steps will become clear. 

Go Deeper

I encourage my clients to hang out with their wisdom a bit longer than they normally would. It’s about letting those fresh thoughts and calm feelings guide you, without jumping straight into action-hero-mode. Rushing to “do stuff” just cuts off the nice flow that comes from “being with” your wisdom.

Marc’s journey also reminds us there’s power in pausing, in letting insights unfold. So, why not ask yourself, “When did I last sit with my insights, letting them guide me, instead of rushing to act right away?”

So let this be a nudge to explore your insights with greater depth, much like Marc. There’s a whole landscape in there, waiting. Through your curiosity and patience, you might just find a deeper clarity and a sense of purpose that not only makes your next step obvious but fills you with the confidence to take it.