The Flat Line Career, written by Nick Roud, Founder and Coach
My second part of a 5 Career series that looks into The Flat Line Career!
It’s not that uncommon for a year to speed past at lightning speed only for you to sit in December and realise that you are not progressing. I call that the Flat Line Career. We must acknowledge and respect that not everyone drives to climb the so called ladder, many enjoy showing up for work, doing a good days work and then going home.
A flat line career can seem like you are standing in quick sand, feet firmly stuck with no ability to progress or step forwards. If that sounds familiar then you may well be operating in a flat line state of mind. Have you ever sat in a corner coffee shop on a busy road only to see the world pass you by, everyone moving to a destination? What do you notice about your time, does it speed up or slow down?
During stages in our careers, flat lines are simply what we need. Time to stop, to pause, to slow down and not to be in any hurry. I remember a few years ago in my coaching practice I noticed many of my peers speeding off in this and that direction, looking to adopt new found principles. As I sat in the global headquarters aka 20ft shipping container I noticed I wasn’t veering off my route. Nor way I that bothered by all the hype and noise going on around me. I had if we want to name it ‘flat lined’ My work was hugely interesting, the people I was coaching pretty special and life was (and is) good. I wasn’t adding nor taking away from my business. This could be seen as flat lining but it was just hunkering down and ensuring my work was fulfilling me.
Have you ever noticed yourself in your career flat lining? Has it bothered you? Many it doesn’t but what about if it does. Are there actionable ways of moving yourself. Having something to look forward to is a healthy starting point. Remember when growing up the anticipation of Father Christmas coming. You sat their counting down the days till the big man would arrive. You had something to look forward to. Remember going on a family holiday, you would start to picture what the place you were visiting might look like, the rooms, the space, the surroundings. As the days approached the excitement would grow as you hastily packed bags making sure every eventuality was covered. Remember the start of a new school term (you may have wished time stopped as I did) or counted down the days till you would be back with your mates. By putting something in our diaries that is far enough out not to be forgotten but close enough to build excitement, this is a way of moving yourself forwards. Could be an event, could be some study, could be a new community enrolment, could be the launch of a new product etc.
Flat lining can and might be seen as a time to pause and reflect, gather up your thoughts and allow yourself the time and space to just be. In a world were everyone is moving at great neck speeds to get to…………wherever, those who allow themselves just to be might well get to the said destination in a better place to actually enjoy it! I know when speaking to my coaching clients that when they are looking forward to a holiday they miss the opportunity to appreciate it because they are totally drained, knackered, they have put so much and more into their work that they have forgotten that a holiday is use that, time to be with friends and family to unwind to again breathe and enjoy where your feet are.
There are also those who have grown rapidly in his/her careers only to reach a place that see’s them flat lining. They believed the destination might be a little bit different that what is. They have rushed ahead not to notice what is going on around them, missing golden opportunities to grow and develop. They have reached their destination with all the skills and abilities which have got them to the place and then what?
When it comes to flat lining, imagine for a moment a car. When you hit the throttle what happens? You propel forwards at speed, when you hit the brake you come to a stop. Flat lining is when you balance between speed and stop (you float) with little or no effort put into moving the car. Some of us would have played the trick of taking your foot of the accelerator when going down a steep hill, as you continue to cruse along you take the time to rest your feet and legs, this can be similar to flat lining in your career, crushing – just going along with no effort put into things. Sure you will reach your destination but you are not in a hurry.
Over the past 9 years I have coached a number of professionals who believe they are being left behind, flat lining and not going anywhere. As we confidentially discuss those thoughts my clients come to realise that it is ok at times to flat line. It is ok to cruse along noticing what’s going on around you. Life is not a race, for many getting somewhere quickly is all they focus on, for others yeh what ever, life will be what it will be.
Taking a flat line approach during your career year or period is totally ok, I know that you have to refil the engine with fuel in order to carry on your journey. Taking that time to stretch your legs, breathe and regroup is powerful. Don’t take those moments as a negative, as a reflection that you are not progressing, you may well find the golden nuggets which taking that flat line approach allows you to do.
What I notice about clients who believe they are or have flat lined is that in order to move forwards with purpose one must know where they are heading. Don’t be afraid to simply flat line.
Nick x
Founder and Coach
Helping Professionals in their careers for many years.
(please note, all my articles and blogs are written by me not with AI in order to help and support you in your career)