I've Been Feeling Stuck Lately: Here's What I'm Doing to Overcome It

Building and running a business at the same time is no easy task. I think anyone who has ever built a business or is running a business of any kind can attest to that. Sometimes, you can be doing great and other times, everything seems to compound and fall out of place. And then there are the times we just feel stuck.

I've been having one of these moments over the last few weeks. I know what I am purposed for but unsure of how it is supposed to get done. I also know I am purposed for several things simultaneously which can feel complex and exciting in unison.

It can also cause me to feel stuck. There are too many ideas flowing with little time to dedicate to them all. Keeping the mental business plates spinning can feel like a lot on top of family, sleeping, eating, exercise, volunteering, and the host of other things that make up life.

There are many reasons for getting stuck. But then there is the difference between getting stuck, staying stuck, and getting un-stuck. Here are some things I'm doing to get through the feeling of stuck-i-ness. I hope these are helpful.

Take a break. Sleep. Rest.

This past Sunday, for the first Sunday in a long time, I did absolutely nothing. It was hard and very, very much needed.

I asked myself "Am I really stuck or do I just need to take a break?" The answer is both.

So, I slept in late, got up, made coffee, watched TV, and went back to bed. That's it.

I needed both a physical break and a mental break from the everlasting list of to-do's, never ending conversations, and the brilliant, but sometimes, exhausting projects.

Reflecting on my WHY

There is a reason I am where I am right now at this time and place. Sometimes, that reason is crystal clear and other times it feels really foggy.

It is not just because of me. It is for the people around me too. It's for the people I have not met yet or whom I may never meet. The reason is always bigger than just me.

My WHY for business is that I really want to see small businesses grow. Because when a small business grows and succeeds, families, communities, economies, and dreams have the opportunity to grow and succeed as well.

Pray and Fast

I pray everyday, but when I need extra clarity and guidance, I fast.

There are many ways to fast: liquid fast, complete fast with water only, fruit and vegetables only fast, or fasting from distractions (TV, video games, social media, alcohol, etc).

Fasting helps to remove any distractions and signs of misalignment in my life. It also helps to show me what I might be missing, things and people I'm spending too much time on, and instances where I should spend more time.

Fasting isn't some spooky little thing for the super spiritual. It's for all of us to do with intention and careful consideration for what we might be blocking from our lives.

Exercise

We really underestimate what physical exertion can do for our bodies and our brains. Before this year, I previously only worked out 3X a week but have since moved to 5X a week of strength training, weight lifting, and cardio.

Because some exercises are harder than others, it is super easy to stop thinking about this stuck feeling and start to be in competition with yourself (how fast can you finish this set of reps, how many squats can you do in 60 seconds). It starts to become a game of sorts. And slowly rewires your brain from huffing and puffing along to thinking clearly about the day ahead.

Change your perspective. Get your body moving and your brain will start to move into a more positive outlook as well.

Review (and maybe Rework) the Plan

I've noticed that sometimes working toward shorter goals can help clear the path of thinking than working toward long-term goals.

For example, write the blog post rather than thinking about the entire content strategy. Record the podcast episode rather than scripting out the next six weeks.

Sometimes, you just need to work the plan. But when you're stuck, review the plan to see if it is actually working. If not, rework the plan little by little to help clear your focus and do more of what you should be doing.

Remember, it's Part of the Process

Feeling stuck often comes before a big breakthrough in life. Perhaps, you have felt this way before and remember it vaguely. If you've not, welcome to the club. It's all par for the course and it's part of the process to get to the next step in life.

If we never felt like something is off in our life or business, we'd likely never take the step back to reassess and make changes. While this feeling won't last forever, it is important for me to remind myself to acknowledge this feeling, rather than trying to solve it like a problem or push it away to eliminate the discomfort.

Sit into it. Lean into it. Ask what is under this stuck feeling. And wait and listen for the answer. I promise, it comes.

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