“Life leaps like a geyser

for those who drill through the rock of inertia.”   

– Alexis Carrel

Although there is a growing business in which experts are ‘offering us the moon’, quick fixes and easy solutions… our instincts are telling us that there are no magic formulas for getting unstuck, getting a phone interview, getting a job, securing a loan, creating a strategic partnership, considering relocation. However, there are common-sense actions which can help us get back on track, infuse us with positive forward momentum, create energy… and offer clarity for making wise(r) choices.

1. FEAR: Examine and say out loud your Worst Case Scenario. Embrace your fears. They exist and you would be denying your human nature otherwise. If you want a “flat-lined life”, then pretend that you are not afraid, push them into the corners of your mind and watch how they (inevitably) sabotage thoughts, feelings, actions and words.

2. SUCCESS: Examine and say out loud what success looks like for YOU. Understand the distinction between being THE best and being YOUR best. Understand the distinction between success in a western society definition and your personal definition. Stand by your definition. Otherwise, you are denying your unique contribution, whatever that looks like for YOU.

3. RESPONSIBILITY: Examine and say out loud what YOU have personally created, positively and negatively in your life, career, financial situation, relationships, health, spirituality (if applicable), self-expression, peace of mind. Separate the things which you DO have control over and which things you DON’T. Otherwise, you are taking the entire world onto your shoulders, alone. This is not only damaging, it is egotistical.

4. THIS MOMENT: The past is gone, the future is unknown. If you think you can control either one, you are living an illusion. Living in this moment, now, is not easy. Got it. Oh well… Life is filled with effort, suffering, pain, joy, beauty and extraordinary peace. Everything we think, feel, do and say RIGHT NOW affects the future. That’s it.

5. GROWTH: Lifeshocks happen all the time. We either pay attention and trust our gut (and therefore HONOR ourselves) or we don’t pay attention and ignore our gut (and therefore BETRAY ourselves). Life whispers, talks, shouts, gives us two by fours and ten by tens in order to wake us up. Use this time to listen to life and use this time to GROW. There is the possibility that you are experiencing this moment for a reason.

6. INSPIRATION: get support / get inspired / get help / unplug / take a break / organize your day with structure / commit to being out of bed, dressed well, finished with breakfast and ready to focus on positive forward momentum by 10am everyday, Monday to Friday / set up Accountability Partners to keep you on track / tell the truth and choose to be authentic / cry / laugh / trust your gut / pay attention / breathe.

7. CONTRIBUTION: The wisest words I have ever heard while experiencing the negative “stuff” of life is: Michele, get off your pity party and help other people. Volunteer, pay it forward, reciprocate, take action and engage in the Laws of Contribution.

Perhaps the most important way to get unstuck is simply to help others get unstuck first. Seems to work out that way. Try it. Some very cool things might start to happen.