We all need a kick in the derriere from time to time! We all have days when we can’t see the wood for the trees (thanks Gran for that one). The problem is when the feeling of being stuck goes on for days, or months or even years.
This article is about discovering how to shift your mindset when you get stuck. This is about shaking things up and it all boils down to changing your state.
If you’re stuck, it’s because you’re not using your resources. You have an abundance of resources available to you, so you need to get resourceful and that requires a state change.
Here are some tips – try them all out and notice which ones work best for you.
- Begin with the end in mind
If all your problems were solved and you were living your life on your terms, what would it look like? Get dreaming!
It will give you a great feeling. - Do little things every day
Imagine someone who wants to lose weight but sees it as impossible to get to the size they want. Turn it into a ten-day challenge. For ten days, do ten minutes of exercise and eat healthily. Just for ten days. Suddenly things start to feel more achievable. - Do physical exercise
Go for a walk, a run, a swim, it doesn’t matter! Even if you around the house dancer. It’ll get your heart pumping and you’ll feel more capable. - Listen to Thunderstruck by AC/DC
Ok, it doesn’t have to be this track. Whatever song works for you and fills you with energy. - Get ready for more fun
Something we’ve been messing with lately is uploading an imaginary app to our brains called ‘MaxFun 2.0’. One of Dr Richard Bandler’s favourite questions is, “How much fun can you stand?” - so with every new situation, we ask ourselves this: “How can I design my next experience for maximum fun?”.
Banter with shop staff, create the trolley ‘Le Mans’ and basketball (unbreakable) food items into the basket. Supermarket shopping has never been more enjoyable. - Help someone else
Someone else’s problems tend to be much easier than our own. Our problems are too difficult but theirs are easy! You can help others with theirs and then you’ll discover that the universe does something odd. It sends you the help you need in return. Sometimes the advice you give someone else, turns out to be the advice you need to take for yourself. - Ask for help
A good friend reminded me that whilst I go out of my way to help other people, I am the world’s worst at asking for – and accepting help. Humans are good at helping – we like to help. Even people we don’t know. Someone is waiting to help you – you just have to ASK.
- Get inspired
The thing that unlocks us when we’re having ‘stuck days’ are Facebook videos. Back-to-back short videos of inspiring content. People achieving things. People elated. People overcoming challenges to achieve. The one that got us recently was a film about Connor McGregor who jacked in his job as a plumber to pursue his dream of becoming a UFC fighter. Love him or hate him, he is a role model of confidence, self-belief and pure energy.The thinking that got you stuck in the first place, will not be the same strategy to help get you unstuck. So, whatever you choose, know that you need to shake it up.
