WOW Blog

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Experiencing Opposition

September 2018

Our Founder and CEO Dr. Linda Bark remembers seeing a quote on a bumper sticker many years ago: “All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” -Arthur Schopenhauer. It is a quote that has stuck with her ever since; it helps whenever she feels discouraged about what is happening in the world.

When Linda was living in Nevada (also many years ago!), she remembers great ideas being implemented in California, only to have them arrive in Nevada 20 years later. Even if some of the ideas didn’t work in California, they would still come to Nevada in 20 years. And then once in Nevada, the community would have to go through a process to find it didn’t work there as well. It was a little discouraging, but it helped Linda see there is a process to ideas and new approaches.

As Linda reflects now, it doesn’t seem to take 20 years for ideas to migrate; it seems faster now, more like three or five years. Even though it’s a faster process (which is encouraging), it’s still important to recognize that both of these things are about a process.

So, what happens when clients go out into the world with their new ideas, and the people around them aren’t there yet? What do they do? The “coaching tip” is for clients to remember this as a process, and to not be discouraged when/if they experience opposition. It’s about observing what happens over time by paying attention to the stages. Instead of thinking “oh my gosh, that’s terrible!” and going into doubt, simply understand that this is the next step. It’s similar to understanding the Stages of Change or the Five Stages of Grief; it’s about being informed, and maintaining a neutral/observer/curious mindset while still holding the vision for what you know in your heart to be the best way forward.

What are your thoughts on the subject matter? Join the conversation in our new public coaching community here.  

 

Warm regards,

Wisdom of the Whole Coaching Academy

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