When I'm working with clients to overcome their challenges to get back on track it's useful to listen to the language they use.

Our language gives a clue to the internal representation we have about situation in our lives. A representation that negatively and positively impacts the beliefs we have about our ability to solve the situation and/or get out of it.

Over recent weeks I've looked at ways of tackling beliefs such as; no pain no gain; burying your head in the sand; being in a rut; and not wanting to burn bridges.

It may sound odd but having these beliefs can stop you achieving your goals. Of course it would:

• if you believe there's no gain without pain you'll constantly search for more and more pain
• if you believe you're in a rut then there's very little you can do until you're out of it 
• if you don't want to burn your bridges you will take no action for fear of doing so
• if you believe that things will get better whilst you keep your head down you'll take no action

The common theme is these beliefs keep you stuck, immobile and taking no action.

It's the same when you're making mountains out of molehills. The belief that it's a mountain seems far too big a task to accomplish and insurmountable and so you take no action.

There would be various ways of assisting someone to look at this situation differently. Finding an actual molehill might be helpful for some:

- and definitely not for others.

Thinking about molehills for a moment - how might the situation be different if we identified with the mole creating the molehill.

Since it's impossible for a mole to create a molehill the size of a mountain the molehill can only be so big (ie small). Which presupposes it's something we can easily get over, around, flatten out and/or cope with.

Once you are able to change the belief that's holding you back then action is possible and solutions can be found. 

Next time you think you might be making a mountain out of a molehill just remember - you are the mole that created it - and notice what you notice.

Do get in touch if you're interested in understanding more about how to use nature as a metaphor for challenges you're facing personally or as a team.