If you feel stuck at work, know that you are not alone. It is a nearly universal human experience to feel stuck at some point in your professional life or in identifying the next goal to focus on. This feeling often comes as a result of putting so much energy into perfecting an action, project or process that you get lost in the details and are unable to see the big picture. It is also common to feel this way when you are unable to find a balance between your personal and professional lives. Getting stuck is an opportunity to take a step back and assess where you are. The end of one year and the beginning of another can offer a bit of distance from work, making it easier to view your situation with new objectivity and clarity.
To be stuck is to be in a place where you cannot move forward without some sort of external help. Like a boat that has run aground or a car stuck in the mud, you may feel a sense of helplessness. Unlike these examples, however, being stuck in life is often a matter of choice, state of mind and perspective.
Changing the way you look at your situation can create a sense of agency and freedom to change. Seeing your circumstances through a different lens can give you the opportunity to choose different actions, which may lead to different outcomes.
In a similar way, your personal values can be a great guide when you feel stuck. If you value relationships and loyalty more than grit and determination, you may need to make some shifts in your priorities. Identifying a deeper purpose can be another great resource when you are feeling stuck. Finding meaning and passion in what you do can give you motivation to push through feelings of stuckness and move forward toward a greater good.
A few ways to get unstuck include:
Try taking a break from your writing and doing something else that you enjoy for a short period of time, like going on a walk, playing with a pet, calling a friend or doing something creative like coloring in a book. Refocusing on something different will help clear your mind and can prompt new ideas about what you want to write about. Another option is to listen to episode #12 and #13 of the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast, which are all about narrative drive and identifying your story’s genre. Each content genre focuses on a certain theme or topic, like love, survival, meaning, growing up, etc., and evokes certain emotions in readers, so knowing your genre can help you determine the best strategies to overcome your stuckness. If you’re ready to break out of your stuckness and get back to writing, reach out to a BetterUp coach today! Our coaches can provide the support and guidance you need to make meaningful changes and become your best self.