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Being stuck serves a spiritual purpose. It is fertile ground for transformation to occur. It tells you that a change is needed. ~ 7 Ways to get unstuck, HuffPost Healthy Living
No one has to tell you. You know when you’re stuck. You know how it affects you; you feel alone and sad and hopeless.
But being stuck isn’t the worst place to be. Think of it as a wakeup call. And getting the right answers often means asking the right questions.
Here are 10 questions I found on Leadership Freak that help me when I’m stuck
- What do you want?
- What does success look like?
- What have you tried that didn’t work?
- What should you stop doing?
- What could you try?
- Which options generate energy?
- How would you describe the behavior?
- When will you try it?
- What will you not have done, if you fail?
- How will you assess progress?
These questions function well as a screening exercise for me – professionally and personally. I particularly like question 6.
It immediately shines a light on any bullshit answers; in effect, saving me tons of time.
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
How might these questions help you? How do you get unstuck?
talktodiana 
I liked the question 6 too. Really good one!👍 I usually do something that doesn’t involve thinking like running, swimming or sauna….just to get out of my head and get some distance. Sometimes it helps but sometimes it doesn’t. Then I try to remind myself that things will work out just fine with or without my “help”….but following that is a whole different story. 😂😂😂 Hugs
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Kristi, so good to see you here! How’s the running going? How are things in general? ❤
Diana xo
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Thanks Diana, I’m good. Still running. 😉 what can I say….I’m hooked for good.😇 Also figuring out work life (still😐) and taking care of my family. How are you? Hugs
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Good to hear, I’m doing well too, thanks Kristi. 🙂
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Diana … My last year of teaching, the coming 2015-16 year, I was asked if I wanted to teach 4 ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) classes – plus two other Language Arts classes. I did love working with ESOL students and was delighted to accept. It will be a challenge, but it’s a chance to ‘make a difference’ and tackle something new.
The other thing that I’ve been stuck on is setting aside time to write a book. I better check your list of ten, again. 😉 Thanks for sharing.
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Yay on the ESOL assignment Judy! Hope you are able to carve out some time for your book too. ❤
Diana xo
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#6 was my favorite, too! 🙂
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Isn’t it awesome Rachel? Thanks for stopping by! ❤
Diana xo
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Hmmmm… that does sound more useful than my usual method: pounding my head against the wall until the wall falls (or I become unconscious).
All seriousness aside, for me “getting stuck” usually involves a computer bug or other problem. Often I just need to back off and let things percolate and let my subconscious chew on the problem.
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I get that Smitty. Often when I step away, my subconscious works it all out too. ❤
Diana xo
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Pingback: How do we know??? | The Photographic Journey of bulldog.
1.What do you want? My lawn mowed.
2.What does success look like? A well-tended lawn.
3.What have you tried that didn’t work? Mowing my lawn in one big gulp.
4. What should you stop doing? I would say mowing my lawn. But my neighbors wouldn’t like it.
5.What could you try? Moving to an apartment.
6.Which options generate energy? Not thinking about my lawn.
7. How would you describe the behavior? Peaceful.
8. When will you try it? Just before I go mow my lawn next time.
9. What will you not have done, if you fail? Mow my lawn.
10. How will you assess progress? Winter when I don’t have to mow my lawn so much. I live in Florida so it still has to be mowed some. But not as much.
Boy, I feel better already. Maybe I should just get a goat. But my neighbors like that. They even have a sign that says, “No goats in this part of town.” Darn it.
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Haha Funny Guy! ❤
Diana xo
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You think I’m funny. You ought to talk to my lawn.
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I think I’ll need to sit down with these and find some answers!
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All the best and much success to you Jensine! ❤
Diana xo
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Question 6 sure strikes a cord…
But to solve problems one has to get stuck, otherwise it is not a problem… these are questions that should be answered by questions… questioning creates answers in the end…
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The old adage, the more you know, the more questions you have comes to mind bulldog! ❤
Diana xo
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These are great open ended questions that really force some honest introspection. I am not usually stuck, although certainly have been at points in my life. I do some of my best soul searching running or cycling.
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Yes Sue, physical activity seems to shake the creativity process loose. I’m not an athlete like you, so I walk…well march actually, quite fast! ❤
Diana xo
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You can likely walk faster than I can run Diana. Just getting out there is what’s important I think. 🙂
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Thanks for the chuckle Sue. 😀
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True statement, Diana. I can’t picture you as ever stuck.
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OH Mark, I get stuck, we all do, right? ❤
Diana xo
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Yes, unfortunately, Diana. You have a great plan here. ❤ xo
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Great questions
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Thank you Jo-Anne! ❤
Diana xo
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Yes, 6 is fantastic!
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Yay – someone agrees! I figure if one of the solutions I come up with is energy-draining, I probably won’t do it, at least not well. ❤
Diana xo
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Great post Diana 🙂
Have you noticed that the questions are all about looking into the future – with some reference to the past. Creating a vision is just one tool to overcome “stuckness”.
I have found the mental block also shows up somewhere in the body as a contraction. We can get unstuck by moving our bodies as well as shifting our mindset. The release in the body creates space in the mind and open up new ideas. Its pretty amazing when it happens.
Our body can teach us – and our minds – so many things.
Val xo
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I have no doubt that is true Val. Often when I’m stuck on a project, I put it out of my mind and go outside and walk. Usually creatively flows during the walk! ❤
Diana xo
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I agree with Ian that being stuck doesn’t feel good so it can trigger us to move on. That is why # 3 (what didn’t work) and 5 (what could you try) I feel are the most important. If we do not analyze the past way of doing things that didn’t work (and instead try and bury them) then we may remain stuck accepting ‘reasonable uncomfortableness’ of the present rather than moving on. The corollary to # 5 is to try something different. Sometimes the old way seems as if it SHOULD have worked and so we keep trying that way over and over. Its only after analysis and conclusion that it really didn’t work that we can move on to something that will work, and something that probably has a better outcome.
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What’s that saying Elizabeth? Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results..
Thanks for chiming in! ❤
Diana xo
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I’ve gotten stuck a number of times while working on my current novel. I have a feeling if I ask myself, and my characters some of these questions, I’ll get unstuck.
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I hope you get unstuck soon Tracy. Personally, I’d love to hear how your characters would answer these questions. 😉
Diana xo
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I just started a new blog (a few hours ago!!), where I play around with the creative process of getting into my character’s head/heart/life — I might explore these questions there! 🙂
http://wp.me/p64lFT-7
You can be my first follower!
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Just clicked follow, am I the first??? 😀
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I especially like 4,6 & 10. Somehow we often get into a rut of defining “success” which can easily mean different things/levels to different people. Success almost suggests a finite goal rather than something that is continuously evolving and lives on for many years. I hear a lot about what does “success” look like where I work…and it’s beginning to sound very worn-out/trite. I work for govn’t and for certain, we are the last resort for certain services. Success continues to be a moving target.
I like seeing how things progress because it suggests continuity, possibilities for change, possibilities for new participants when needed and sustainability.
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Love this perspective Jean – thanks for weighing in! ❤
Diana xo
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Great post Diana and good questions to ask ourselves. When I feel stuck, slowing down and questioning “why” always allows me to see a way through. Thankyou 🙂
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Thanks Karen. I love questions, they are the keys that unlock answers. ❤
Diana xo
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Diana the question
What did you want? Is a good one if I break down every project I am working on. The most basic answer is I am trying to tell a story. Whether it be through art or writing. Thank you, I have been feeling stuck and also feeling like I will never finish. But I want to show the best work I can. So I keep shaping my work until its ready or worthy of sharing. And I will remember why I started all these crazy ideas in the first place.
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I love your passion for art and your dedication to your vision Kath! ❤
Diana xo
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Wonderful questions for everyone to ask themselves, Diana, especially when life isn’t going the way you want. Number 2 is one I smile at, because I know that success to me may not be what it means to someone else. But that’s okay. 🙂
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Thanks Jennifer, yes success is different for each of us, isn’t it? ❤
Diana xo
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Life is always about change and adaptation, so I have never let myself be stuck for too long. When I can, I get away, usually alone, where I can assess things more clearly. I always come back with a fresh perspective, after a few days, or even several hours. Physical exercise helps. So does driving, especially with music. I like your 10 questions. A thoughtful post, Diana. ☺ Van
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Thanks Van! I think I’m going to get a way today! ❤
Diana xo
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Feeling stuck is inevitable, and I agree it is a place where growth and transformation happen simply because stuck doesn’t feel good and we want out. Most of the transformations we experience aren’t big ones … just enough to get us unstuck and moving in our life as it is shaped now. But a few (less than a handful) of them are big ones, where we re-assess whether the shape of our current life needs to change completely. I am coming through one of those as I head into my retirement. It is both a hard and rewarding experience!
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I can imagine Ian! Really loved your post today. Thank you for sharing your experiences as you go through this huge transformation in your life – I just know you’re going to rock at it! ❤
Diana xo
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