Stuck to UnStuck

Ever feel stuck?  You know what you need to do but just can’t get yourself to do it.  You want to do it but there seems to be an invisible force holding you back.  I’ve been there… very recently.  Here’s a few tips that have helped me:

Tell someone 

When you tell someone you trust that you’re stuck it’s like using a lever to move a large boulder.  It’s still work but it becomes easier.  Accountability and empathy loosen the bonds of stuck-ness.

Write down The Why

Get a piece of paper and write down “why” you need to do what you’re not doing.  It convinces your brain that it’s time to act.  It solidifies your willingness to act.  Then show it to the person you’ve told that you’re stuck and talk to them about it.

Write down The What

If writing down the “why” didn’t do the trick, try writing down the “what”.  Break down the bigger thing down into its individual tasks… and if possible break those tasks into smaller tasks.  This makes me feel like I’ve started doing something and gives me the momentum I need to actually do what I need to do.

Consequences – Fear and Benefits

This doesn’t always work for me but for some the pressure of considering what will happen negatively if they don’t do what they need to do becomes greater than the inertia of their stuck-ness.  I think this is called “Fear.”

On the other hand considering the positive consequences of getting the thing done has often moved me to action.  Especially if I share these benefits with someone who supports and encourages.   There are the rational and the emotional benefits to any action.  However, as a motivator, the emotional benefits win every time.

These are only a few ways to get unstuck.  Let me know what works for you.

Be Better!