I think most if not all of us make plans. Some do so more than others. We sometimes get the result that we want. Obviously, sometimes we get something else. That something else may be better than what we originally wanted, and there are times when it’s not. We can always get back on track. This is at times easier said than done. Curiously, there are people who plough on regardless, seemingly convinced that sheer determination will get them through. It’s possible. And, of course, there are those who give up, defeated by the lack of wanted results. It got me wondering. When things are going wrong, what’s the first step you take to get back on track?
I have a podcast, Coaching from Not A Blue Tree. I published my first episode in March 2023. Initially, I was very excited at the possibilities, and I thought that I had a plan. Honestly, I thought I did. And then I lost my way and it all became a bit random. Additionally, my listener numbers were not great. While creating each episode was interesting for me, it was taking a lot of time. Was it really worth it?
At that point I could have given up. I’d beaten the statistics (more on that later). I’d proved to myself that I could release an episode each month. Crucially, some of my output had reminded me of why I love doing the work that I was doing. Was it enough, though, to keep going?
Statistically, my podcast is doing OK. I was curious how I was doing compared to other podcasts. I found a great site, Podcastpage. Statistically, my podcast is doing OK. Various sites confirm that there are between 3,000,000 and 4,500,000 podcasts. Just under half of all podcasts get beyond 3 episodes. Under 1 million have ten episodes or more. My listener numbers, as I said before, could be better. Yet most podcasts aren’t getting millions of listens or downloads. Indeed, some of the stats suggest that figures between 100 and 200 are doing well.
So, where did all of this leave me? I took a step back. I considered how I could get back on track. Suddenly, I was working on a plan. A proper plan. It was a plan that worked for me and it was a plan that made sense.
Taking a step back is key. It’s all too easy to drift long or give up or power on regardless. None of those options really gives a result. If you take a step back you give yourself space to work out how to get back on track. And this may mean giving up or drifting along or powering on regardless. Those three options may lead to something that you realise that you want, and you therefore get back on track.
Alternatively, you come up with a new plan. A more considered plan. Critically, you’ve reviewed what you’ve done so far. This allows you to evaluate what’s working and what could be working better. You’ve now got an idea of what to do differently. Suddenly, you have a way, a plan, to get back on track and make things happen as you want them.
Where are you in all of this? If everything is going well, and you’re good with this, keep on doing what you’re doing. However, when you begin to realise that it’s all going in a direction which is far from what you want, it’s time to step back and take stock. If you can do it for yourself, do it now. Alternatively, if you think you may need help, book an initial consultation here, and then take the next step. You know that you can do it, and you know that it makes sense, don’t you?
