Hello, Christelle!

In a recent coaching session, the metaphor of a roundabout came up once again.

But there was a little twist!

Usually, when we talk about being on a roundabout, it's about feeling stuck. Going around in circles, unable to decide which exit to take.

But this time, we looked at the roundabout differently:

What if it was actually giving us the opportunity to explore our options?

After all, when you're on a roundabout, you can go around more than once. You can look at the signs, see where the different exits lead, and take a little more time to decide which direction you want to go. All while continuing to move, without having to stop somewhere unsafe or block the traffic!

And that got me thinking…

A different way to look at this

Have you ever felt stuck on a roundabout, unable to decide which exit to take?

Perhaps you're there right now: a decision at work, a family situation, a change you're considering in your life…

You keep going around in circles, wondering which direction to take - perhaps getting increasingly frustrated with yourself for not having decided yet.

But what if you looked at that roundabout differently? What if, instead of being stuck, you were taking the time to explore your options?

• To understand where each exit might lead.
• To recognise which directions appeal to you… and which ones don't.
• To consider what feels right for you at this particular moment.

Of course, going around again and again doesn't necessarily mean you'll make a better decision. Sometimes, you've already seen all the exits, and another turn won't tell you anything new. And sometimes, you really do need to choose a direction.

But not having decided yet doesn't automatically mean you're going nowhere:

Perhaps you're still exploring!

And perhaps seeing it that way could take a little of the pressure off.

A question for you

Think of a decision you're currently struggling with - or one you've recently faced.

Imagine yourself on that roundabout.

Now, instead of seeing yourself as stuck, imagine that you're using this time to look at the different exits available to you.

Does anything change?

• In the way you're thinking about the situation?
• In how you're feeling physically?

There's no particular answer to look for. Just notice what happens when you consider this different perspective.

One simple move

If you're still on that roundabout, what's one small thing that might help you?

• Perhaps it's taking a closer look at one of the signs and discovering an option you hadn't considered.
• Or recognising that there's an exit you definitely don't want to take.
• Or simply accepting that you might need another turn around the roundabout before deciding.
• And perhaps something entirely different would make more sense for your situation.

So, what's one small step that feels right for you, where you are now?

You don't necessarily need to take an exit today.

But perhaps you can give yourself a little more breathing room while you're still on the roundabout.

To giving ourselves a little more room to choose!

Christelle

Self-Leadership Catalyst - Small steps. Real progress.