We all get stuck, it could be sales, relationships, money, motivation, or health. We're human. The good news is being stuck is not a permanent state. Learn 10 ways to get unstuck, moving and productive again, including: get real, get physical, take a break, create a stop doing list, change your environment, be kind to yourself, let go of the past, get advice, create a deadline and create tiny wins. Hugh Culver is the best-selling author of Give Me A Break, past Ironman competitor, co-founder of Adventure Network (the world's only airline in Antarctica) and professional speaker.
17. Here are 3 people who got
UNSTUCK
MOVING
and PRODUCTIVE again
18. Holy Crap cereal
In 2009 Corin and Brian Mullins couldn’t find a healthy cereal for
Brian’s food allergies. After some experimentation, they sold their
first 10 bags of Hapi Food cereal at a farmer’s market.
Today Holy Crap cereal is sold in over 2,500 stores and has
been to the International Space Station.
19. AirBNB
Brian Chesky and his partners
started AirBNB because they were
stuck. No income, no business
idea, just a room they could rent
out with air mattresses. They took
action, listened to customer
feedback and continued to pivot.
Today AirBNB has listing in 34,000 cities and is valued at $25B.
20. Hal Elrod
After barely surviving a deadly head-
on accident, Hal Elrod committed to
defy his doctors and to not only walk
again, but to prove all of us are
capable of overcoming extraordinary
adversity.
Today Hal is a best-selling author (The Miracle
Morning) and one of the highest rated keynote
speakers in America.
21. Here’s 10 ways YOU can get
UNSTUCK
MOVING
and PRODUCTIVE again
22. 1. Get Real
Think how many decisions you’ll make
in your life. In a year’s time this will
seen minor, so why not just do it?
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the
courage to continue that counts.” —Churchill
23. 3. Get Physical
Stand, stretch, go for a run, walk your dog - physical
movement increases the flow in your circulatory system,
releases feel-good neurotransmitters (like Dopamine, and
Serotonin) and puts you in a positive mood.
“Exercise is like fertilizer for the brain…it’s so
good it’s like Miracle Gro.” —John Ratey, Ph.D
24. 3. Take a Break
When you focus your attention on a task
completely unrelated, your mind can return to the
original task refreshed with a new perspective.
"Never taking a break from thought work actually reduces
your ability to be creative" —Kimberly Elsbach, Ph.D
25. 4. Stop Doing List
What is filling your time AND holding you back? Make a
list of low-value tasks and routines that eat up your time
—either drop, delegate, or dump them.
“The "stop doing" list became an enduring cornerstone
of my annual New Year resolutions.” —Jim Collins Ph.D
26. 5. Change Your Environment
Clear desk clutter, work from a local cafe, use
paper instead of computer—sometimes a change
is as good as a start.
"As a species, humans have evolved to respond to novelty,
once we've become accustomed to something, we may
grow immune to its effects.” —Hugh Thompson, Ph.D
27. 6. Be Kind to Yourself
It’s easy to blame yourself—don’t.
You’ve been here before and you
are capable. Have faith that you
will get through this as well.
“Practicing self-compassion provides us with the kind voice
and warm embrace we need in difficult times so we
courageously do the right thing.” —Forbes
28. 7. Let Go of The Past
It’s hard to get started when your focus is on what didn’t
work in the past. Take a deep breath, let it go and focus on
what you want to create today, for the future.
“Once we start a task, it is rarely as
bad as we think.” —Tim Pychyl, Ph.D
29. 8. Get Advice
Usually we can’t see the forest for the trees—we’re
too close to the problem. Ask a good friend, hire a
coach, ask on-line. And then listen.
“When you ask for advice, people do not think less of you;
they think you are smarter.” —Maurice Schweitzer, Ph.D
30. 9. Create a Deadline
A little tension (like a deadline) can move mountains.
Commit to making a decision (no more than two days), do
it and then start moving mountains.
“Deadlines allow us to clarify our thoughts and
create an action plan.” — Dan Ariely, Ph.D
31. 10. Create Tiny Wins
“When you feel good about what you did, your brain will
change. It will want to do the behavior again in the future.
That leads to making the habit stronger.” —B.J. Fogg, Ph.D
Frustrated about sales? Call one prospect. Want to lose
weight? Start walking 20 minutes a day. Need to apologize?
Write a card. Any forward motion is a Tiny Win worth
celebrating.
32. 10 ways to get UNSTUCK,
MOVING and PRODUCTIVE
1. Get real - perspective can change everything—think big picture
2. Get physical - allow your body to influence your mood
3. Take a break - give your brain a break - return refreshed
4. A Stop Doing list - remove low-value tasks and open more potential
5. Change your environment - step away from clutter and distractions
6. Be kind to yourself - believe you will get through this because you will
7. Let go of the past - turn your attention to what you are creating today
8. Get advice - be the smartest in the room by asking for help
9. Create a deadline - force your decision and launch into action
10. Create Tiny Wins - any forward movement is worth celebrating