The Plateau Effect

“Plateaus” and Why They Happen

Like all humans, you’ve evolved so that the noises, smells, sights and other stimuli you experience don’t overwhelm you. When you first move from a small town to a big city, you can’t sleep because of the noise, yet eventually you become as immune to it as a native. You fall in love with a new ice cream flavor, but after you binge on it for weeks, it loses its appeal and you’re back to chocolate chip. You get used to things – bad and good – and reach a form of “plateau.” But if you’re marooned on a plateau in your career, or in a relationship, do not keep doing more of what got you there.

Try Something New!

You’re at the top of your game, number-one in your field, when suddenly the rug gets pulled out from under you. You probably missed the warning signs because they were incremental and occurred just under your radar. You weren’t paying attention, you were stuck in your ways and you weren’t agile.

For example, Blockbuster once ruled the home entertainment industry. It had the resources and talent to dominate for decades, if it had been alert to changes in its market. By the time it awoke to the new reality created by Netflix...