Do you ever find yourself in the middle of a creative project and out of nowhere you lose interest? Have you ever been on the brink of change and suddenly can't remember why you wanted to make a shift in the first place? Can you think of a time when you faced a personal or professional challenge and couldn't come up with one good solution to a fairly straightforward problem?

Are you stuck on something right now?

I've got (good) news for you! You likely aren't/weren't stuck, but rather just scared. See our mind is more concerned with keeping us safe than keeping us moving. It wants easy, automatic, and predictable. We should appreciate we have automatic responses that keep us alive. And also, we have to work hard to notice when we aren't in real danger and pushing past discomfort is actually in our best interest.

After getting super stuck (read super scared) on a professional project recently, I got myself back in motion in no time using this simple process. Now it is your turn!

The Stuck to Stoked Process

Step 1: Notice when your "I'm stuck" pattern is present.

Step 2: Step away from the doing and turn your outward gaze inward by taking a few deep breaths.

Step 3: Name the emotion under your pattern for what it really is (most of the time it is FEAR!).

Step 4: Get curious (and compassionate) and ask yourself, “What are you so afraid of?”. Let the answers gently surface.

Step 5: Acknowledge and thank that part of you that is feeling scared for speaking up.

Step 6: Connect to your WHY by asking the question, “Now what are you missing out on / giving up if you don’t get unstuck and go for it?”. Allow the answers to come. Continue asking “What else?” until you get to your biggest/truest motivator for achieving your goal.

Step 7: Shake on it. Make an agreement with yourself that you are pursing this thing no matter what.

Step 8: Take the next step forward (and then the next and the next…). Repeat this process as necessary to keep yourself moving along your journey.

Your biggest obstacle to creating your best life and doing your best work is...YOU. The next time you notice your pattern is taking you out of the game, keep this sequence handy and get yourself going again.

An invitation from Rumi to welcome in all our emotions. They are gifts to help us grow.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.

meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

~ Jellaludin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks

Feeling stuck in your professional or personal life? Having a hard time getting clear on what is holding you back? Book a complimentary coaching discovery session with me here to explore how to shift this dynamic in a matter of minutes.