Recently I had the opportunity to fill in as feature presenter for one of my networking groups due to the scheduled speaker not being available. So, I reached into my kit bag and pulled out one of my baseline coaching models to introduce to the group.
The model, “Four levels of experience”, is a critical component of our self-management and had a big impact on the members of the group, with conversations continuing into the following weeks, so I thought I should summarise it here for others benefit too.
The premise of the model is that we can generalise all of the tasks and activities we do daily in to one of four quadrants that define the quality of our experience and therefore growth. Each quadrant defines the activity in relation to its benefit (or not) in terms of the results, for us and others.
The model provides us with insight into what we are experiencing in our business/career/life right now and whether we are letting our emotions dictate our activities. With this insight, we are able to now make choices to focus our activities to be where we ultimately want to be and improve our experiences.
Level 1: doing what feels good, is good for me, is good for others and is good for the greater good.
The model, “Four levels of experience”, is a critical component of our self-management and had a big impact on the members of the group, with conversations continuing into the following weeks, so I thought I should summarise it here for others benefit too.
The premise of the model is that we can generalise all of the tasks and activities we do daily in to one of four quadrants that define the quality of our experience and therefore growth. Each quadrant defines the activity in relation to its benefit (or not) in terms of the results, for us and others.
The model provides us with insight into what we are experiencing in our business/career/life right now and whether we are letting our emotions dictate our activities. With this insight, we are able to now make choices to focus our activities to be where we ultimately want to be and improve our experiences.
Level 2: doing what does not feel good, is good for me, is good for others and is good for the greater good
Activities in Level 2 do not feel good as they tend to be unfamiliar, unknown, something new or an action that is confronting or perceived as difficult. Overall, though, these are something that we know will be ultimately good for me and others.
A classic example for this would be prospecting for sales (cold calling) or presenting to a group/audience when you haven’t done it before.
Some life examples might be having your first child or driving your car for the first time on your own after getting your license. These experiences can be tough or overwhelming at first, however, the more you do them, the easier it gets. Now, driving a car for you is likely to be a Level 1 experience.
Where you are today is a result of the dues you have paid or have not paid. So, the quality of your business/career/life is determined by the number of Level 2 experiences that you allow yourself to be exposed to. What this means is that you must learn to de-link your feelings from action. Most people believe that feeling has to flow before they take the action. How many times have you said “I will do that when I feel like it”, or “…when I have more energy”, “…when I build up the courage”?
A human behavioural fact is that feelings come after action. For you to get the feelings you are after, you have to take action – to feel the Level 1 pleasure, you have to expose yourself to Level 2 actions.
Growth and progress come from Level 2.
Level 1 and 2 actions/experiences are Purpose-driven, outcome focussed.
Whereas, Level 3 and 4 actions/experiences are more Process-driven.
Level 3: doing what feels good, but is not good for you, is not good for others and is not good for the greater good
Activities in Level 3 tend to provide us with easy things to do and help us to avoid doing the tough stuff. You know the activities – tidying up your desk or office so that you have a “more productive environment” to do your hard tasks in; getting the little tasks out of the way first so that you can “concentrate” on that bigger thing.
This is avoiding the difficult actions (Level 2) by filling your time with the easy stuff (Level 3) – that is Playing It Safe!
Worse still is where we substitute quick pleasure to make us feel better – watch TV/Netflix rather than cleaning the kitchen, mowing the lawn, doing an assignment, making those calls!
Level 3 is the home of procrastination and self-sabotage.
How do you know if something is Level 3 or Level 2 – ask yourself this question: “Is the action I am currently doing, leading me to delivering on my outcomes/goals”? If yes, you are in Level 1 or 2. If no, it’s Level 3.
Level 4: doing what does not feel good, is not good for you, is not good for others and is not good for the greater good.
Level 4 is a place of pain. Your activity is not enjoyable and you have no perception of progress or growth. This leads to a lack of genuine interest in your activities and, when you are here on a daily basis, you will end up quitting/leaving/exiting.
We usually end up in Level 4 after spending too much time in Level 3.
The main reason people end up in Level 3 or Level 4 activities is because they are not really clear on what their purpose is or what their goals are, or they do not have an outcome defined. We begin to do things that will mess up on our tasks, get lazy with process, avoid taking the harder road, and ensure a failure.
Having some “down time” and spending a little time at Level 3 is OK and helps to reset our energy, etc. However, too much time in Level 3 will blur our direction and lead to Level 4, which, as we know, is the way to exiting.
To help someone at Level 4 move away from the exiting mindset, we need to re-engage or re-ignite their passion. Again, this can be through a reminding (or adjusting) of their “why”, their purpose and goals to enable them back to Level 2 activities.
Level 1 is our goal – our established skill set – the place of certainty and pleasure.
Level 2 is where we do the hard yards – short term pain for long term pleasure.
Level 3 is where we let our feelings control our actions – short term pleasure for long term pain.
Level 4 is where the perception of progress and growth are missing and we being to look for an exit.
Remember, ask yourself for every activity you start: “Is the action I am currently doing, leading me to delivering my outcomes/goals”? “What level am I at and where should I be”?