How to get unstuck in any situation

These are 3 Steps to Getting Unstuck.

Have you ever dragged your feet in making a decision because you felt stuck? Then felt bad about dragging your feet and feeling bad? I know, we've all been there! Almost all of my clients want to know: what is the right path for me?

There are common questions that I keep asking clients over these years. These patterns of questions became one of my main frameworks for coaching, around which I've built my body of work. 

This framework boils down to 3 simple questions that apply to every situation in which we find ourselves stuck, indecisive, anxious, and unmotivated. And it’s great for self-coaching!

If you find yourself unwilling to prepare for that next job interview, unsure of what your next action is in your business, unclear on what your next career move is...here is a framework you can use to get unstuck:

The 3 Steps to Getting Unstuck

1. Excavate

The main question to answer: What do I need to let go of?

We often feel stuck because we are holding on to something (standards, process, expectations) that we've been taught are the "right way" or the "way we are supposed to do things".

You know why I have trouble asking my clients and people in my circles to refer me for coaching. Because it feels icky! I don't feel good asking. Not because I don’t believe in the power of this work, quite the contrary! But asking for referrals eliminates some of the magic of giving a referral. And I was taught, along with many small business owners, you’re SUPPOSED to ask. But that's not really a great way to do things if those standards don't feel right. So I'm on a journey to building new ways to build my business that feels good, fun, and allows me to let go of "the way you’re supposed to do it". Those beliefs can be really deeply rooted in our societal pressures and supremacy culture (This is all tied to what I talk about all the time with Toxic Professionalism).

What do we need to uproot? unlearn? leave behind?

2. Invigorate

Main question to answer: What would be energizing to me?

Often we go through the motions of life without stopping to wonder “what would be most energizing for me in this moment? What does my body crave?”

Following your energy is going to lead to decisions that feel right for you in the moment. And you will be able to look back at the decisions you made and firmly say “I did what felt right for me at the time”. And incrementally over time, those small decisions will lead you to big changes that feel natural for you.

For me, this looks like building a group that’s entirely experimental, squishy, and at the moment invite-only. Rather than packaging up a multi-week cohort program requiring commitment, curriculum and agendas, and opening it up to the world. I’m following what feels good with my nervous system and creative cravings, right now.

3. Advocate

Main question to answer: What would allow me to advocate for this?

Perhaps you need to communicate a change to your team. Perhaps you need to confront someone in a compassionate way - so they know you care enough about them and your relationship to do so. Perhaps you have to meet people in a new industry to learn from and help you get the info you need to decide if that new path is right for you.

In your situation, what does advocacy, or perhaps self-advocacy, look like so you get what you need or want?

A few months ago, I was in a rut with my business. I realized was I wasn’t doing enough of what I do best: talking to people! That is what helps me process things out loud, build meaningful support networks, get new ideas, get exposed to other perspectives, and helps me stay energized in building out my work. So my self-advocacy looked like seeking out people and groups I could just talk to, co-work with, learn from. As a small business owner, I realize how critical it is to have a support system like this so I know I’m not alone.

So what does advocacy look like for you?

Hi, I’m Lauren Goldberg. Thanks for reading and I hope you found this helpful. If you are curious to learn more, go deeper into this work of excavating, invigorating, and advocating for yourself - set up an exploratory call with me and let’s chat about working together. 🌟