No doubt about it. Getting stuck is a drag. Literally (a word I never use unless I mean it).
Getting stuck weighs us down, slows things up. It makes us feel less productive, frustrated...sometimes we berate ourselves for being lazy. Yet it's so natural.
Just take a recent example...
About three months ago I figured out the topic of my next book. I loved the idea, the snappy title. My book would be the next big thing!
I couldn't wait to get started.
But I didn't. For the next two and a half months, every time I thought about beginning, I thought of some other really important thing I needed to do first.
And so it sat on my to-do list. It tried everything -- nagging me, glaring at me, coddling me with thoughts of greatness. I was excited, but just couldn't get moving.
Until one day I turned to a friend and said: "So, exciting news...I'm starting my next book. Hope to have it done within the year!"
My friend excitedly asked me about it...and I excitedly responded.
The next day I began the outline.
We are ambitious people, creating all kinds of goals in life...
- We want to find a new job
- We want to change the way we eat
- We want to finish a huge home-improvement project
We believe in these goals, know they'll bring us greater success, greater satisfaction in the end.
Yet we hold ourselves back. We don't take the next step...or even the first one. Then we get irritated with ourselves.
What, we ask, is our problem?
The problem is that we've gotten nervous or overwhelmed. We've told ourselves that now is not the right time. We've told ourselves that it's not worth the risk. We've told ourselves we'll never get it done anyway.
The problem is we've told ourselves -- and only ourselves -- all about it.
The quickest way to get unstuck?
When we tell other people about our plan, when we tell them we're excited about it -- or, at least, excited to get it done -- they get excited, too. They get bought-in.
Sometimes telling someone else is really just about saying it out loud so that it's not just in our head anymore. We've declared our intention to the person...and the world. Which means we then need to fall in line.
Sometimes telling someone else is about accountability. It's about knowing they'll ask us about it again and that we'll need a better update than the one we've been feeding our own brains.
Whatever the case, telling someone gets us motivated. Then it's just a question of keeping it going...by telling them about our progress...by telling more people along the way.
There are, of course, a few caveats to this simple little plan:
- Make sure the people you tell are your supportive champions. No Negative Nellies or Debbie Downers...or those who are stuck themselves and from the "misery loves company" camp.
- If it's a sensitive goal, like leaving your job, don't tell the guy in the cubicle next to you. Let's face it, the world is small...and many people stink at completely keeping secrets.
- If you're telling people because you want them to ask you about it or hold you accountable later, tell them explicitly. Everyone gets busy and forgets...plus, they'll probably be flattered you asked.
Tell other people what you want to get done -- big or small -- and use it to get unstuck.
And I'll be sure to tell you all about it when I come up with my next big thing.
Think about what goal -- big or small -- has got you stuck.
Tell someone you trust about it. Tell them it's important to you. Ask them to ask you about it later.
Then use it immediately to unstick yourself.
And just imagine what you'll take on next.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.