> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://makoism.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Plateau - URL: https://makoism.com/the-plateau/ - Published: 2022-02-05T11:16:50.000Z - Updated: 2022-02-05T11:16:50.000Z - Description: “There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.” -Bruce Lee - Author: Steve Makofsky - Tags: makoism, #newsletter-makoism, #substack ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/61/8f/618f2076-e6a0-40dc-8037-06080661dee7/content/images/public/images/2af2b12d-d0df-4cbe-a6d9-afb59e8c74ca_4898x3265.jpeg) the plateau I was having one of those thought-provoking conversations this week with a member of my [personal board of directors](https://makoism.com/a-personal-board-of-directors/) on how best to advise someone on his team. It revolved around navigating a particular situation, and we started to 'circle the drain' a bit about the concept of 'plateaus.' There are many different types of plateaus people hit along the road; maybe it's how to navigate a career, can't lose any more weight on a diet, or even break through a workout plateau. Plateaus are be caused when *you adjust to a demand*. For example, when working out, when you begin to feel unmotivated, bored with your workouts, or find excuses not to exercise, this is a frequent sign that you may be ready to try a new form of exercise or a different routine. To see results again, you need to change the workout, and only then can you get stronger. Your body has adapted; it’s time for a change. Or maybe you feel undervalued at work even though you're putting in 100%? Or that there's simply no room to move up? These types of plateaus are **realized plateaus**. I **know** that I will never run a 3:30 marathon; I am not genetically capable of it. I am acutely aware of the **plateau**, so I choose to focus on something that helps me get stronger, but I know the limit. And it doesn't bother me that I'm going to crush a marathon. I've accepted it. Here’s the big one — **unrealized plateaus**. This is the *hardest* one that everyone faces. The simple fact is that you believe that your ability is stronger **than it actually is**; You end up being held back by a lack of skill, experience, or simply the inability to do something that *others recognize*. Unfortunately, you are blind to it. > [](https://twitter.com/IAmMarkManson/status/1489556089012199425) If you're experiencing a plateau and don't know why, it may be time to take a good, honest look in the mirror. Plateaus can be used as part of your growth process, a time when you can build foundations. It's **hard**. And you may not like what you see at first. A first step to helping yourself is to be honest with yourself; and is often the first step to get beyond it. If you enjoy these posts, you can [buy me a coffee](https://ko-fi.com/makoism) ☕️, or if you'd rather keep up with my daily ramblings, follow me on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/smakofsky) or keep reading [my posts on this blog](https://makoism.com/). ## **Forward Thinking** [Kara Swisher](https://www.nytimes.com/column/kara-swisher) 's [Sway podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sway/id1528594034) is on the weekly rotation. While most of her interviews are interesting, her recent chat with former Disney CEO Bob Iger was **one of her best**. In "**[Bob Iger's Advice to Hollywood on His Way Out](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sway/id1528594034?i=1000549150512)**", they talked a bit on the future of movie theaters (they're going to be just for blockbusters and need a better experience), streaming, his thinking about running for president at one time and the effects of COVID-19 on his former company. However, what struck me as the "biggest nugget" was his comments on not "relying solely on data" on making decisions around storytelling. > *Having spent almost 50 years on the creative side of our business, it became more and more clear to me that while data was already playing a significant role, that it should not be used to determine what stories are told.* > *If we had tried to mine all the data that we had at the time to determine whether we should make a superhero movie that was essentially about an Afrofuturistic world with a Black cast, the data probably would have said, don't do that.* > **And "Black Panther" never would have been made.** ## **Thought of the week** > [](https://twitter.com/AlexLlullTW/status/1486727475828723731) ## **This weeks "Deep Links"** Here are a few of the articles and videos that resonated with me over the last week: - The Oatmeal knocks another one out of the park. In "**Erasers are wonderful**," learn more about the simple beauty of erasers and how they're not only for mistakes - [More](https://theoatmeal.com/comics/creativity%5Ferasers) - "**An 8-year-old slid his handwritten book onto a library shelf. It now has a years-long waitlist.**" is a great story on how a second-grader in Idaho decided to share his 81-page book about Christmas and slipped the book onto the picture-book shelf. The rest is history - [More](https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/01/31/library-book-idaho-dillon-helbig/) - [Grovemade](https://grovemade.com/journal/designing-the-magsafe-stand), maker of fine desk products, describes the love and attention that went into the design of their desk MagSafe phone stand. I have one on my desk, and it is beautiful. - \[More\] - Lufthansa has flown over 21,000 'empty flights' this winter in an attempt to keep hold of airport slots. Read more in "**Thousands of Planes Are Flying Empty, and No One Can Stop Them**" - [More](https://www.wired.com/story/airplanes-empty-slots-covid/) - Another wild tale of AirTags. This time, "**Apple's AirTag uncovers a secret German intelligence agency**," a researcher talks about what they uncovered when sending one to expose a mysterious "federal authority" - [More](https://appleinsider.com/articles/22/01/25/apples-airtag-uncovers-a-secret-german-intelligence-agency) - The hits of 2022 keep coming; you can't make this stuff up. "**Blood pressure monitoring toilet Casana lands $30M**". Yes friends - a blood pressure monitoring IOT toilet - [More](https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/blood-pressure-monitoring-toilet-casana-lands-30m) - Not sure if that's burnout that you're feeling? "**Learn to Read the Signs**" talks not only about what you can recognize as signs in others but yourself - [More](https://adventuresinlife.substack.com/p/learn-to-read-the-signs) - "**Herman Miller's Poster Child**" dives into "what makes an amazing poster" and the ins and outs of great graphic design - [More](https://www.hermanmiller.com/stories/why-magazine/herman-millers-poster-child/) - "**Is Old Music Killing New Music?**" explores an odd trend: Old songs now represent **70 percent** of the U.S. music market. Why does old music stick? - [More](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/01/old-music-killing-new-music/621339/) - I am fascinated by the concept of being 'an infinite player' - one who plays games intending to continue the game. Read more about it in [Simon Sinek's fantastic book](https://simonsinek.com/product/the-infinite-game), or a summary in "**A Brief Practical Guide to Being an Infinite Player**" - [More](https://sashachapin.substack.com/p/a-brief-practical-guide-to-being) ## **Fin** I have been in a bit of a David Bowie mood this week, so I thought I would wrap up this week's post with his performance of Heroes from the Glastonbury Festival in 2000. Be well. ✌🏻