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Plateaus

In high school, our “dry” workouts were held in a loaned Sunday School classroom in a very hot church. So many, very uncomfortable, hours were spent in there. It wasn’t the biggest room so ergs, the rowing machines crews train on, were kind of on top of each other. (If you’ve ever taken an Orange Theory class, it wasn’t too different than that set up!) An interesting thing happens with erg training. For weeks and weeks, your numbers likely stay the same aka you plateau. It’s such a mental game and it can feel beyond frustrating when you’re working as hard as you can and pushing yourself as hard as you can, but the numbers aren’t changing. While you’re toiling away and putting in the work you’re supposed to be doing, you’re battling these thoughts that it’s not worth it, that you’ll never get better, that you might as well quit. And then, probably out of nowhere, you have a break through workout and (FINALLY!) your times improve.

And then after that, you spend a little bit of time on a glorious upswing. Things are getting better, you’re making progress. Until you, like clockwork, hit another plateau. The pattern repeats.

My coach drew this out on a chalkboard (Sunday School room perk!) and the visual is burned into my memory. The trick is to remember that even though the plateau looks flat, it’s really where all the progress is happening. The upward trend just looks like progress, but it’s really just the result of the super hard work.

I have been thinking about this a lot because the same thing kind of happens as adult with real life– at least it’s what I’ve experienced over the years. I am coming out of a plateau right now (unrelated to the pandemic), but it’s coming at such a good time. I was really starting to feel discouraged and even burnt out. I definitely had those, “Why am I even doing this?” thoughts frequently and it’s tough to stay on the grind so to speak.

This next year is already going to be pretty crazy work-wise. (Which is always weird… sometimes I have no idea what I’m doing next week and other times I have giant projects lined up for eighteen months?!) As these projects started lining up in my inbox, my first thought was, “Okay, the past two years have been worth it!” I’m so glad I did stick with things and to keep my foot on the gas even when I wasn’t sure what would come from it.

Right now I’m sighing a bit of relief, gearing up for a big, exciting year… but I know there will be a point down the road where that high wears off and it’s back to the plateau. Just wanted to write this as I’ve been thinking about it a lot. And I’m sure some of you are feeling stuck in the plateau, or maybe you’re just getting ready for an uptick, or coming off of one into a plateau… It’s worth the work ❤️

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24 Comments

Lizzy

I didn’t know I needed this. THANK YOU for the pep talk (and the flashback to erg season…)

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Kathryn W.

Thank you so much for this, Carly. I’m in the process of applying to business school and lately it feels endless. It’s been over a year of GMAT studying, networking and application prep. Thanks for reminding me to keep my eyes on the prize.

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Erin Elizabeth

This is such a lovely and reassuring post, Carly. Glad to know you’re feeling good. May this next year bring you many new opportunities to feel the upswing!

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Grace K.

Yes to all of the above. It’s so hard when it feels like there’s no surface progress. Also, very excited for the upcoming year to see these exciting big projects of yours!

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Sandra

Thank you for this reminder to stay optimistic and focused! So happy you are feeling excited for the next year!

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Coralys

This is so inspiring. Reminder that even when we may hit a plateau that is not the end. There is always something to look forward too.

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Kelly C

This is such a good analogy! I’ve felt like I’ve not been challenged at work, and thus I’ve felt bored since February. However, now I think I’m just in plateau and things will change when they’re suppose to.

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Alexandra

LOVE THIS!! Changing your perspective to “the uptick is not progress, it’s the reward” is amazing!

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Erin Droese

Yes! I love this! What a great coach you had 🙂 I’ve been thinking about this too in relation to developing good habits. Sometimes you get in a funk, but if you put in the work in creating good/healthy habits, those habits can help pull you out of a funk.

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Kaitlyn

YES! Thank you! I too am in a plateau and this post really helps put it into a positive perspective. I needed to read this so much today.

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Libby

This was a perfect read to start a Monday 🙂 I agree that it is always worth the work to reach the next level. I love when you write things like this!

Libby

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Turquessa

This could not have come at a better time. I am currently dealing with some projects that are majorly stalled, despite some extraordinary hard work on a daily basis! Yesterday, I told myself, I need to fold and put my energy into something else. It was acutally quite difficult because I was giving up. Then I read this post and it made me realize that if you show up everyday and put in the work, it will happen…chop wood, carry water. Thanks Carly!

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Courtney Schier

Wow, such a great idea for a post and so needed! Thank you for sharing 🙂

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Shannon

So on point! I’ve been plateauing for about two years too, and with a new job, I finally feel like I can shake the rest of my plateau and change my attitude. It affects every part of your life—you have more energy, more motivation, creativity, and finally just let go of the BS.

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Stefanie

Love this and exactly what I needed to hear! My Orangetheory opened for a few weeks and then closed again. I start a kettlebell class at a local park tomorrow and already feeling defeated(squishy Covid body, loss of muscle, etc.). This blog definitely puts these thoughts in perspective. Thank you!

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Victoria

Thank you! I am working on postpartum weight loss and I need to remember that daily dedication matters! Drinking all of my water and moving everyday will pay off.

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Mycala

This is so true. I have been reminded of this every so often and yet each new time I hear it, it still resonates — perhaps sometimes even more with time. Thank you for sharing this very well-stated example. 🙂

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