How to get unstuck – Part 2

You’ve been feeling stuck, right?

You’ve taken the first two steps outlined in the first part of this blog entry:

1) becoming aware of that ‘stuck’ feeling and wanting to do something different, and

2) brainstorming ideas for how and what you could do differently.

Now it’s time for the last two steps:

Choose

Put simply, now is the time to choose to do something different. 

Depending on the situation and the task at hand, you may choose to let it go.  As in, not do it.  Why let it hang over your head if you’re not going to do it?  Cross it off the list.  If I’ve been saying that I’m going to do a weekend project for months now – like clean out the garage – and it’s been weighing me down, why not try letting it go?  Release the mental burden of that project.  It’s not getting done.  At least not at this time.

Let it go.  You can always put it back on the list later.

Perhaps the choice to make is to break down the task into bite-size bits and handle one bite at a time.  For example, I don’t have to file the whole pile of papers in one sitting.  I can set the kitchen timer for 15 minutes, or whatever feels tolerable, and file for that amount of time.  Period.  I can schedule another filing session later.

It’s important to choose an idea from your list and decide to act on it.

Make a choice to try something different.

Make a choice to move forward.

Make a choice to experiment – in an effort to get something different than what you’ve gotten in the past.

Act!

Now it’s time to take action.

Really, you can’t get unstuck without action.

Go for it!  Take your choice and act.

Set that kitchen timer.  Cross that project off the list.  Ask a friend to team up with you to complete a task.  Play some great music, change your attitude and jump in.

Just do it.

Take one single action. 

Take one single step forward.  The next thing you know, you’ll be moving forward in leaps and bounds.

Now, don’t get me wrong.  I know it’s not always easy to get unstuck.  But it IS possible.  Having a plan helps immensely (aware; brainstorm; choose; act).  Having support helps even more.

So, while getting support isn’t an actual step on my cheat sheet, it’s a nice way to proceed with your plan – and especially with the last step.  Get the support your need and deserve.  And get unstuck!  You’ll be happy you did.

 

How to get unstuck – Part 1

I’ve got a pile of papers that need to be filed.

I’ve got a project list that I keep adding to for those weekends when I’ll be motivated to do them.

And I’ve got a nice basket of art and craft supplies waiting for me, too.

But somehow, I don’t find myself doing any of the above.

Instead, I just feel stuck.

I feel bored and restless and unmotivated.

Ever feel that way?

I’ve noticed that I get this way about mid-way through winter.  It’s my post-holiday slump, so to speak.  I feel kinda blah – and yet restless at the same time.

But I’ve also learned that I don’t need to get too worried about it.  It doesn’t last.  And these days, I know how to minimize its effects on my days and weeks.

Here’s my cheat sheet for getting unstuck.

I hope it will help to get you going again, too.

Awareness

Honestly, the first step is always awareness.  If you can take notice that you’re stuck and unmotivated, you can take the next step.  But not until then.

Take a look around, make a note of how your days are going and how you’re feeling.  Check in with yourself and honestly ask if you’re happy with the way things are going.  If not, you just might be stuck.

It takes courage to admit that you’re stuck somewhere you don’t want to be.  And it takes courage to move to the next step.  But it pays off.

Notice how it feels to be stuck.  Recognize that you don’t want to stay “here”.  Notice the discomfort.

Now that we’re both aware that we’re feeling stuck and unmotivated, we’re ready to move to the next step.

Brainstorm

This is fun.  No, really!  Continuing to do (or not do) what you’ve been doing isn’t going to get you unstuck.  More of the same results in … more of the same.

It’s time to break out.  But how?  Ah, that’s why you want to brainstorm at this stage.  No concrete action required.  Just start thinking about what you could do instead.  How you could act, if you were to act differently.

All ideas count.  There are no bad ideas.  Open yourself to novelty and opportunity and craziness.  Create a nice long list of options.  Ask a friend to help you.  And have fun with it.

Remember, all you are doing is contemplating how things could be handled differently than what you’ve been doing or not doing.  Safe enough, right?  Come up with your list of ideas and then you’ll be ready for the next step.

That’s enough for now.

Come back next week with your list of brainstorming ideas and we’ll take the last two steps.