You're Stuck, and It's Your Fault

There are many reasons we procrastinate or simply don't do something we say we want to do. Something that will forward our goals. Something that moves us toward our dreams. Something that is EXACTLY what we want to do.

But we don't do it.

Why?

It's being stuck, and it's not just a lack of inspiration, although we may use that as an excuse. It's almost always because of fear.

And because of that fear, we keep ourselves stuck.

Our lizard brain wants to keep us just the way we are, in status quo. Anything else is too scary. Changing, evolving, expending energy to reach our goals... any of that could take necessary energy away from what our lizard brains want: to procreate or to save up energy in case we need to engage in fight or flight. No other energy expenditure wanted or needed, according to the lizard brain.

As entrepreneurs and/or writers, we constantly have to fight against this primitive instinct to just stay right where we are. Most of my clients have big projects and dreams that are perfect to move them in the direction of their biggest and best selves. Every now and then, thought, they get stuck. They can't move. They can't even seem to take one step forward.

Here are some of the reasons I hear (and have experienced myself) about why we get stuck:

1. "I'm not inspired. I can't create if I'm not inspired."

While it's wonderful to create when one is inspired and in the creative flow, I have to say that I think this statement is hogwash. Now, I do believe in following one's energy (especially if you have three different directions to go in, for example... follow the one you have the most energy around). The problem comes in when you consistently don't do the next step on your project.

The best thing to do is to just take one small step. Almost without fail, I've found that that one step leads to another, and leads to another, and leads to another. It's Newton's law of physics: an object at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by an external force. Your project is going to remain at rest unless you take a step. Don't wait for the muse, a message, or inspiration. Just take a step. Then, the next law comes into play: an object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by an outside force.

2. "Who am I to think I'm worthy of this?"

This is a big one. It's looking around you and being just so sure that everyone else is farther along, better, smarter, more successful, knows more than you are. Who the heck do you think you are?

This is the lizard brain at is best. And to get around it, you have to realize (intellectually at first, and then deeper in your whole being) that you have something unique to offer than anyone else. You are the best you that you can be, and no one else is you. There are at least 20 new diet books published each year. Each year!!! Why? Because they speak to a slightly different audience or have a slightly different message. Each book appeals to its ideal market, and its competitors appeal to a different ideal market. So know that your ideal client and market is out there. And trust that you have something valuable to offer that no one else can.

3. "I'm afraid. What if it doesn't work? What if I fail?"

Honestly, you might fail. It might not work. You might fall flat on your face. But you're never going to get anywhere if you don't move. You'll stay in the same place doing the same thing. Your lizard brain will be happy, but you won't.

In my personal experience and that of clients I've worked with and coached over the last dozen years, I've found that fear is usually an indicator that one is on the right path. Crazy, I know.

You also have to realize that some paths may not be the ultimate path, but they do end up leading to the ultimate path. My business doesn't look the same now as it did ten years ago, five years ago, or even two years ago. But if I hadn't taken risks and tried something new and different, I wouldn't be where I am now. And I'm very happy with where I am now (and still evolving).

So, if you're finding yourself feeling stuck, try taking that one step, the smallest step possible, if needed. I bet you'll find the next isn't nearly as hard.