"I'm Stuck, Now What?"
We all get stuck in our lives. Most of the time we can find a solution, outsmart an obstacle, develop new alternatives, or simply move forward in the unknown. Sometimes, the "stuckness" seems impossible to overcome. It isn't. But it does take time and work.
I find when I am facing challenges and uncertainty that it is helpful to go back to my center. For some people, home represents center. For others, center is one's value system. And so on. My center is my "why." Why am I doing this task? Then I dig deeper. What is the end goal? Who can help me with this? What am I willing to do or see differently about this?
Some of the creative tips and tricks I use to get "unstuck" are:
Go for a walk - One of the most helpful things I do when I am stuck is go for a solo walk. There is beginning, a middle, and an end. I start the walk with a question; what am I trying to solve? As I start the walk, I give myself permission to drop all of the issues at the gate and move forward with a suspended judgement on where the walk will go. I start thinking about what I might need to get go of that is keeping me in the stuck state. I think about information I have, feelings that exist, and what I am overthinking versus knowing intuitively. As I reach the middle of the walk, I resolve to leave something "here" in order to move forward. By the time I have reached the end of the walk, coming full circle, I have gained some insight and wisdom into the situation in exchange for something I was able to leave behind. Our physical beings are wise and these mini-retreats help to get out of my head and into my intuition.
Start journaling - This helps me get everything I think I know about the obstacle on paper. It also helps me with a place to list my resources, my "team" (friends, mentors, supervisors, stakeholders with whom I can spend some time with to brainstorm), and my opportunities (such as training or certifications). Brainstorm. Brain dump. Master mind. Mind map. Get out the colored pens. Whatever you need to do to get it all on paper helps to see the bigger picture.
List the "High Five" - What is the Scope of the project, goal, or initiative (how big, how small)? What is the Schedule of the project, goal, or initiative (how short, how long)? What is the Budget for this undertaking (how much do you really have to work with, this includes non-monetary resources)? What is the Risk (what are the worst things that can happen that you want to avoid, how does waiting on a decision impact the item, and what do influences cost the endeavor)? What is the Reward (this is the "why," what do you get out of this)?
Get out the sticky notes - I have sticky notes in all different colors and sizes on my desk, my wall, and my notebooks. I put them where I can see them as a reminder of things I need to work on, accomplishments I have made, or additional information to research. I also use these to develop a flow chart of priorities and action plans. Perhaps there are books to read on the subject, podcasts that are informative, or articles that shed light on how someone else approached a problem - write these down too.
Most importantly, what is the goal? We sometimes get wrapped up in the problem that we take our eyes off of the real goal. Write out the real goal using the SMART method. It should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. These can be used to develop an employee's objectives (or your own!) or general goals and intended outcomes.
Finally, make a decision and take action. There is always a decision that can be executed. There is always a phone call that can be made. There is always a certification or training module to complete. There is always a sub-task in the work breakdown structure that can be completed. It does not always feel like much, but progress is progress. And progress generally leads to more progress.
"Stuckness" is not impossible to get beyond. It takes an open mind, dedicated time, some work, and allowing the creativity to flow.
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