How To Get "Un-stuck"
I have a go-to list of questions that I ask myself when I feel stuck on a project.
I use these for getting started on daunting pieces of work, for writer's block, for making choices that seem overwhelming, and even for getting through hard days at the gym.
Start by asking...
- What's wrong? Why am I stuck right now?
The first and most important step is recognizing that you're struggling, and identifying why. It might seem self-evident, but take a moment to state the problem to yourself-- it's even better if you can write it down. This step is critical for problem-solving because many of us will distract ourselves, procrastinate, or wallow in discontent in lieu of acknowledging that really is a block that needs to be worked through.
For a writer trying to start a new essay, the answer to this question might be, "Starting is hard when I don't feel inspired." An administrator might think, "I don't have enough information gathered to do this successfully." An athlete getting flustered in training might answer that their partner is going too fast or too hard, that they are tired, or that the coach has not explained the move sufficiently. Once you know what has you stuck you can start figuring out how to move through it...
- Is this something I actually can't do, or just something I don't want to do?
Be honest. Sometimes in a fit of frustration it's easy to confuse the two. If it's the latter, it's time to get your head in the game! A friend recently reminded me that, "The Muse visits during writing, not before." This is especially apt for when you feel a lack of motivation to work on something; start doing it anyway and you may find yourself enjoying the work once you get going. As my mother, the Well-Seasoned Woman, would say, "Fake it 'till you make it, baby." That is, act as if and see what happens!
You know why you're stuck now. It's time to figure out how to get out of it. Consider the following...
Looks like someone needs help getting down from there.
- How can this be fixed? What do I need to move forward?
- How long will this task take to accomplish?
- What would make this fun?
- If I can't solve the problem, can I drop the task altogether?
- Can I do just part of it right now and come back to the rest later?
I like these questions as a framework for deciding what to add, subtract, or re-arrange in a given situation. In the end, if there's something that you can't go around and can't go over, well, you may just have to go through it.
In the cage, this would be the time to bite down on your mouthguard, tuck your chin, and press into the pocket. Then keep swinging until you hear the bell ring!