Part of the job of a coach is to help people to navigate transitions and changes. Often this causes turbulence. Think of any big organisational restructuring or life events you've experienced - it was unsettling, right?

But there's an unexpected version of this that I see with my clients from time to time. And that's the turbulence caused when things go right, rather than going wrong.

We tend to think of success as a moment, don't we? We see someone stood on a podium with a medal around their necks and see that as the outcome.

But success isn't a moment, it's a transformation.

It changes you. It changes how people see you. It opens some doors. It closes others. And if you don't handle it correctly, it can cause problems.

In fact, there is a real thing called Gold Medal Syndrome, that doesn't just affect athletes. It's characterised as feeling empty, depressed, or anxious after achieving a significant goal. Can you relate to that?

This happens partly because, after you have strived for something for a long time, the striving becomes part of your identity. When you succeed, you lose that part of yourself.

But is also happens simply because a lot of things about your situation change all at once. Which is disorientating. People look at you differently and you look at yourself differently. You get busy in ways you are not used to.

Added to that, people don't tend to have sympathy for someone struggling with success. You can't turn to most of your existing friends to complain that things are going too well for you, can you?

Which is one of the reasons why coaching is so useful. Having a non-judgemental conversation with someone who helps you to process whatever you are going through is really valuable.

And it's just one more reason why more and more people and businesses are hiring coaches.

Have a great day, Stephen

PS I have had my own little success recently. My company is starting to work with the Advanced Research + Innovation Agency. You can read about it on my website. I'm rather proud of myself ... and navigating the turbulence just fine.