* Stage 1: The first stage of the concept is called “Uninformed Optimism”. At this stage on a roller coaster, just getting to the top of the roller coaster, you experience feelings of an adrenalin rush, characterized by excitement and nervous energy.* Stage 2: The second stage is called “Informed Pessimism”. As you ride over the top of the curve you now have a bit more information. Feelings of fear, nervousness, and frustration begin to set in. Perhaps you even want to get off of it.
* Stage 3 – The third stage is called “Crisis of Meaning”. You’re past scared. You feel despair. It’s as if you’re standing on the edge of a cliff ready to jump, and you begin to think “Today the roller coaster’s going off the bottom of the track for the very first time.” You feel helpless and you’re both terrified and frozen.
* At this point, you face a critical juncture. You can come off the bottom of the curve and crash and burn, which is when your business goes bankrupt, you lose your marriage, you start drinking, or you end up in a doctor’s office because of stress. Or you can come around the corner because you’re getting support at “Crisis of Meaning” and you can enter an upward swing call “Informed Optimism”.
* Stage 4 – Informed Optimism. You’re calm. You’re informed. You might even say you are cautiously optimistic.
I don't think that these emotional phases are limited to entrepreneurs. I think pastors who are leading through significant change experience this. I think that church planters experience this. I know that I can relate. I love his advice of what to do and what not to do in each phase.
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