How to Move Forward When Feeling Stuck At Something

What does it mean to feel stuck? It doesn’t strictly refer to being stuck trying to get into your driveway on a snowy day. (Though I’ve been there.)The “stuck” that I’m referring to involves not moving forward in some area of your life. It’s the sudden mental block that for example, a comedian might feel whilst on stage in front of an audience. Or the inactivity that persists during an entrepreneur’s attempt to finish an important project. It’s the frustration that comes from feeling as though you just can’t seem to get from point A to point B.Just as we eventually work our way out of the snow, or emerge from the mud, it is also possible to break free from the despair of being stuck in some activity or area of your life. Below are several ways to break this cycle, and to start moving forward in the direction of your desired outcome.Acknowledge the current real situation. What are the in’s and out’s of this situation? Is your perception the truth, or are there other possibilities? What’s really happening?Its important to break things down into smaller less problematic sections. If the problem is overwhelming, then break it down. By doing this, it will become more manageable.Identify the hurdles.Breaking the project down also helps you to get clear about the obstacles that have been holding you back. Once you get clear, you will be in a better position to overcome these obstacles.Identify the next step to take.This is part of simplifying the issue. By focusing only on the next step, rather than on the entire project, you greatly reduce the complexity of the situation.Take that next step.The key to emerging from a stuck state is to take action. If you just sit in your car, waiting in the mud, nothing would happen. You must do something to tackle the problem, whether you’re stuck in the mud, or stuck in life. As you take action, you will begin to emerge from your stuck state.Change your surroundings.One way to gain a new perspective is by changing your physical surroundings. Take a bath. Listen to music. Go for a walk. A change of setting will help you to view the situation differently, providing the insight to move you forward.Get help from someone you trust.Ask your friend, your colleague to look at the situation, and tell you what they observe. Although you can often emerge from a snowbank without assistance, it helps to have an extra set of hands. Sometimes another person’s perspective makes all the difference.Reward yourself.After you’ve broken the task into smaller steps, set up a way of celebrating each small victory. You deserve it, and this structure of action/reward will stimulate you to move forward at a faster pace than you otherwise would.Give yourself a break.If you’re not progressing, simply walk away. Rather than trying to force something to happen, relax. Take time out and when you’re ready, go back and try again.Visualise your outcome.Whatever happens, know that you are going to be okay. Visualise your goal, and try to move psychologically in that direction. Picture the things that you need to happen in order for that outcome to be produced. Feel confident that it can be accomplished, and that it will be accomplished.Everyone will get stuck at different times in their lives. There is no shame in it. It happens to us all. With these tools, you will minimise the time that you stay stuck. Invest in yourself, and continue to take small, manageable steps toward the achievement of your goal.