How to get your head out of the sand is the topic of a recent video over on my newly revamped Landscaping Your Life YouTube channel - and yes, as you find out in the video, I did really ask someone to take a picture as I put my head in the sand!!
3 tips to motivate you to get your head out of the sand about a problem you’re ignoring.
After 24 years of exploring this idiom whilst coaching I’ve learnt that it’s hard to admit when you’ve got your head in the sand, and so much easier to see when others have.
That said, if you recognise the feeling here’s some tips from the beach to help get your head out of the sand.
The risks associated with keeping your head in the sand are real and imminent and therefore potentially greater than what you’re avoiding, for example, it’s hard to breathe (trust me on this I’ve tried it), the hole will be water logged when the tide comes in (scary even as I lay on the beach knowing the tide was far enough away to take the picture and get out of there), and a lot of effort and energy is being used to stay there! Insight - your energy is better served to face the real problem rather than deal with the results of a constructed problem associated with the behaviour of ignoring it.
When your head is the sand you can see nothing (or only sand if you’re happy to have your eyes open!) ie no opportunities, no solutions, no alternate perspectives. These options only become apparent once you take your head out of the sand. Insight: Solutions do not appear whilst you have your head in the sand - the sooner you take your head out of the sand the sooner you’ll find a solution.
You will take your head out of the sand eventually - and it’s usually inspired by discomfort (physical or mental). Insight: Discomfort inspires action - so how can you make the current situation more uncomfortable?
Do let me know other insights you get from this metaphorical exploration.
Having your head in the sand is the theme of my latest video over on YT - which starts with insight about what to do when others have their head in the sand.
If you’ve got insight from this post you may like to subscribe to my YT channel @landscapingyourlife so you get to see future videos as they go live.
I’d also welcome suggestions about other topics to cover.
