When things don't work out as planned do you pivot, adjust and keep going? Or do you get discouraged, filled with self-doubt and wonder what is wrong? When things don't go down as you had planned or hoped, do you want to stop?

Over the last two months I've been working on a project that I am super excited about. When I first got inspired about the idea, I knew it was a “yes”. It felt aligned, inspired and I was totally into it. I immediately went to work on it.

Somewhere in the process things started to feel hard. It started to look like there were roadblocks and one of those blocks was me. Meaning, when it wasn't going as smoothly as I thought it would, I wondered what I was doing wrong. I immediately started to question myself and think the problem might be with me. Was I not committed enough? Did I have it wrong? Was my idea a bad one?

I definitely got derailed by lots of thinking and trying to analyze what was wrong. That led to a lot of self-doubt. It wasn't until recently that I realized, nothing was wrong, I had just gotten attached to what I thought it was going to look like. When it wasn't happening the way I thought it was going to, or wanted it to, I was basically stopped in my tracks.

When things don't go down as planned, we can loop between trying to force it or questioning ourselves.

What I didn't see then that I do now is…I had stopped listening and evolving with the idea. There was nothing wrong with me or the original inspiration, I just forgot to stay open and listen to the new information as it came along. It wasn't telling me bad idea; it was telling me to adjust.

The path to creating, whether it's a business, a new service, product or executing against an organizational goal, is not a straight one. In fact, it's a series of adjustments made along the way. That's true for any personal or professional goals we have. For example, getting in shape, relationships, planning a holiday, etc.

Our ability to keep listening, flexing and adjusting is the key to forward movement. Being agile allows us to follow the natural momentum and keep going.

I often mentor solopreneurs to help them deepen the impact of their work and/or expand their reach in business. Recently, in a conversation with one of my mentees, she was questioning a decision she had made to partner with someone on a project. Originally, she was excited about the idea and thought it would be a perfect way to help a number of people.

That original enthusiasm had started to wane. Things didn't seem to be working out as she'd hoped. This was discouraging because she had invested quite a bit of energy and resources and it was starting to look like it was all for nothing.

What became evident, was the idea was not the problem. Her original instinct and wisdom that this partnership could offer new possibilities and opportunities were right on. The ability to serve others was definitely there. So, what was happening? Why was she second guessing it?

Bottom line, it was taking longer than expected and there was new information. Information she couldn't have or see until starting. What she thought was a block was actually full of insight that would help her serve others more meaningfully. Once she saw this, she stopped questioning and started listening. She started to get new ideas and saw where there was a way to offer even more. Her enthusiasm and inspiration were right there propelling her along. It was just covered up by the noise of self-doubt.

When we get attached to the timing, the way or the outcome, we can miss what is right in front of us. We can miss that there is new information. As we engage with our ideas, with a plan or a goal, listening and responding allows us to navigate the twists and turns of life and business.

Look closer and you will see that feedback needed to adjust our course happens in “real-time”. As we take action, we see more. Being agile, allows us to go with the flow.

Creating anything, building a business or achieving a goal, is alive. It’s constantly evolving. It is not static. It simply requires that we remain attentive to what is happening in real-time not just what we want it to be or look like.

When we get less attached to what we thought it would be or think it should be and start responding to what is, we are often pleasantly surprised. We see that what wants to emerge and come forth is filled with inspiration, creativity and solutions.

We tap into a natural momentum and enjoy the journey. We see that the journey and the destination are enhanced by our agility. We no longer resist shifting or see it as a problem, we see it as the way to bring forth what is most alive and present.

Be nimble. Be agile. Listen to what’s present and you will experience more inspiration and flow no matter what you’re up to in life or in your business.