Are You Stuck?

Feeling a little ‘blah’ these days? Stuck behind your computer, not sure what to do next? This seems to be the time of year when people are feeling a little down – or stuck – or have some ‘paralysis analysis’. Is that you?

I believe that businesses have cycles, just like people do. And, as a result, things aren’t always UP and FABULOUS and AWESOME. They just aren’t. That’s ok – but what do we do about it and how do we get past it?

Those are the real questions. It’s ok to feel stuck but it’s not ok to stay stuck. Here are some things I do to get moving again.

WAYS TO GET UNSTUCK:

1. Acknowledge the Feelings.
It’s ok to feel stuck, to feel down, to feel discouraged. We all do at some point. It’s human and it’s normal. So, acknowledge how you’re feeling. Go with it.

2. Create a Plan.
No one stays stuck forever. I schedule my ‘pity party’ (that’s what I call those feelings of being stuck) – I know, I know. Pretty sad, isn’t it? LOL – No, but seriously – I do schedule it. I allow myself to have the feelings. I acknowledge that I’m having an ‘off’ day, or two……..but that’s the longest I will allow it to happen. I schedule it – and recognize that then it’s time to create a plan for moving forward.

3. Take Action.
When I am feeling stuck, I know that it is important for me to get moving. One of the things I do, that makes me feel recharged again, is to head to the beach – yes, even in winter. I call a friend – tell her to grab her dogs – and let’s get walking. Inevitably that makes me feel better already. Oftentimes, we don’t even talk. We just walk. Breathe. Walk some more. Watch the dogs – I get a lot of joy from watching dogs run the beach. We humans should do more of that!

4. Call a Trusted Colleague.
We all have ‘those moments’ – so reach out. Call someone. Ask for help. Talk it out. Chances are they have been there – felt that – and will be a good listener. Explain that you are not necessarily looking for solutions – just a kind ear.

5. Plan for the Next Day.
This is one technique that always helps me. I sit down and write out a plan for the next day – and I chunk it into hours. The first hour, I will exercise. The 2nd hour, I will work on a revenue-generating activity. The 3rd hour, I will have a phone call with a prospect or client. The 4th hour, I will do follow-up for potential work. And so it goes for the day. When I have a step-by-step plan for the next day, it allows me to relax and go with the ‘stuck’ feelings for that particular day. Not sure why or how that works, but it does. Gives me some kind of peace of mind. Try it.

6. Get a Good Night’s Sleep!
Sometimes, that is all I need. A good night’s sleep. I travel a lot on business – and sleeping in different locations all the time can catch up with me. I love sleeping in my own bed with my own pillow – and I love to get 8-9 hours’ sleep each night. That positively impacts my energy and mindset.

It’s important to know that you are not alone when it comes to running your business – to the ups and downs that go along with that – and to read what other people do to ‘snap out of it’, as they say. I don’t know that anyone really ‘snaps out of it’ but I do believe that once you acknowledge how you are feeling, experience it and then take steps to move forward – you’ll be back IN business feeling like your best self.

It takes a lot of energy and focus to grow a business. Nobody is ‘on’ all the time. You might even want to journal about it to get some insights about the experience for your future reference. Feeling stuck is not permanent!

Everything is energy. It’s important, as a woman business owner, to take good care of your energy levels. That’s what will help you attract ideal clients, make more money and be of service in the world.