Whether you consider yourself an introvert or extrovert, you may be hesitant to walk into a room full of people who have already started what the gathering set out to do.  You either feel comfortable watching behind the scenes, or wish you had come earlier so you wouldn’t be stuck in the back.  Regardless of how you feel, you probably want to have a front row seat or at least a good visual, otherwise you wouldn’t be there in the first place.  That’s how we would normally think when we feel at ease, isn’t it?  But how many times have we felt reluctant to show up when we were already late to the game, or anything else in life?

So why are we late?  That could be a tough question to answer especially if someone else asked it first. We may be late in meeting a deadline, late in rising to the level everyone had expected, late in preventing a heartbreak, or late in discovering our shortcomings. Sometimes the delay is our fault, and sometimes it’s totally out of our control.  Most of the time it’s both.   In any case it’s never easy to explain why we’re so behind when we thought we’d been moving along, doing what we’re supposed to be doing.  Anyhow, having that honest awareness is often the best thing that could ever happen to us.  It will turn us around and bring us back to where we’ve always hoped for.  Here’s a simple 4-step process that have helped me in tremendous ways:

1.  Relax! Don’t worry even when others notice you’re behind.  If you’re late, you’re late.  Just start showing up instead of adding to the consequences.  That’s the only way you could genuinely deal with the aftermath and finally move forward.

2.  Feel comfortable asking “What have I missed?”  Find out what is actually required of you, rather than hanging on to what you’re capable of.  Resist the urge to act like a pro even when you’re tempted to blend in with all the geniuses around.

3.  Practice your craft.  Spend time on your learning curve instead of analyzing over and over why you still haven’t arrived — unless you’re already at a point where you want to map out and share the success stories, which will eventually come.

4.  Share your credit and be a blessing.  Give credit to everyone who walk alongside you. Welcome other “late comers” and offer them your best support — that’s when you know you’ve pushed through your rut and are on your way to the front row seat.  

If you go through the process wholeheartedly, sooner or later you’ll find yourself right at where you need to be, and further along.  Playing catch up is never easy.  But would you trade anything for your future success, and the valuable journey leading right up to it?  You’ll be making a lasting impact you’re truly proud of — all because you’ve decided to show up and proudly walk on that learning curve.

If you need to play catch up in some areas of your life, which step do you feel most relevant to you?  What commitment will you make in moving forward?

You’re welcome to share your thoughts in the comment section below.  Until next time, enjoy your course and Thrive on the Learning Curve!