Coaching Tip: The When... Then Syndrome

Originally Submitted on 3/21/99.

Introduction

The When... Then syndrome is displayed by anyone who
tells you "I'm going to do .... when I've ...." While there are
legitimate reasons for When... Then, it is frequently an
excuse for taking no action, for procrastinating.

The Coaching Tip

How often have we all heard (and sometimes said), "When I graduate, then I'll... " "When the family problems are solved I'll..." "When I get time I'll..." This is often a way of delaying the agonizing moment of actually having to commit ourselves by taking the first step. In the meantime we have the comfort of knowing that we have things all planned out, and the excuse that the right time has not yet come.

A major task for many coaches is to nudge clients into changing When...Then into "What can I do in the meantime?"

For example, it may be true that I cannot move until X, Y or Z happens, but in the meantime I can be making preparations: I can learn about my prospective destination by reading books and newspapers about it; seek to develop a network there by finding out who of my present contacts knows anyone who lives there; prepare my present home for the oncoming move, and so on.

As another example, the individual who cannot seek a job in a chosen field until s/he graduates or finishes some form of certification can still network, attend workshops, and volunteer, so that s/he is not a newcomer to the field when the all-important piece of paper is finally earned.

One way to begin the process of nudging is to ask the client to break down (into VERY small steps) the various steps that will need to be taken once "when" has been achieved. What will s/he do "then" so as to achieve whatever the goal may be? With this done, it is usually relatively easy to identify a number of mini-steps that can actually be taken long before the "when" arrives.

This has several benefits. The client begins to visualize the end result more clearly, to sense that progress is being made. S/he now "owns" the process, and ceases to think of it in a passive, dreamy way. "When... then" becomes "What next?"

By encouraging clients to take whatever mini-steps can be taken now, rather than waiting for some major hurdle to be overcome before any action is taken, a coach can help clients to achieve and maintain momentum toward their goals, and to become proactive rather than procrastinating.

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