Get Unstuck

Confession - I have spent basically the last two hours staring at a blank document. 

Usually these are relatively easy for me to write. I have at least one topic picked out - often inspired by something interesting I have read or something that has been coming up in my life or my friends lives - I noodle on it for a little, even writing out the outline in my head as I walk, and by the time I start typing, it just kind of flows nicely. 

But those other times, oh boy. 

And while writers block is a specific type of torture, I am sure that you can relate to this feeling in some area of your life. 

That feeling of working on something and feeling absolutely stuck. For whatever reason, it is just not happening. It is the opposite of being in a flow state. 

So how do you know when to push through? And when to pivot? 

Truthfully it all depends. 

But below are some tips that can help you move through it and go from wanting to quit everything to actually making progress.

Just start. This works especially well for writing or any sort of creative endeavor. Get rid of distractions and just start working on the project. Most importantly, do not worry about whether or not any of it is any good. The only point is to create some momentum and get going. 

Visualize the big picture. I have a couple friends who are running the New York City Marathon. They are in the homestretch of their training - when the long runs start to drag, the little aches and pains start to add up, and your life becomes semi-consumed by when you are going to get your runs in. The thing that is getting them through it is knowing that this is leading to their goal of running a marathon. When you are stuck and struggling, remember what you are working towards. 

Talk it out. I love to talk things out, whether that is with someone else or even just with myself. Verbally processing when we are stuck can help us get clarity around our thoughts. 

Let go of perfectionism. Done is usually better than perfect. Showing up consistently and imperfectly will get you much further than trying to be perfect. Reflect if your perfectionism is hindering you and keeping you from moving forward.

Get a different perspective. Consider phoning a friend and asking them for their input. They haven’t been immersed in whatever it is you are working on so they will often see things with an outsider's perspective, opening up new insights and creativity. 

Take a break. Just staring at the computer and ruminating on the fact that you are stuck is usually not productive. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to engage your brain in a different activity, or even nothing at all. Go for a walk, read a book, talk to a friend, go sit in a coffee shop. Give your brain a rest from working on that particular thing - you will probably find that when you come back to it, you have more energy and creativity. 

Listen to your gut. Occasionally we do need to pivot and try something else. Tune into your intuition and gut to know when to stick with something and when the best thing is to let it go and move in a different direction.