Hear about some of the different ways we can be affected
Read about the author’s own experiences and their tips to get going again
After reading, share your thoughts:
Whether it is at work or in life, we all get stuck sometimes. How do you handle it? What are the things you do to move forward? Do the reasons or tips in the article resonate with you? Please share your experiences and tips.
Great article, a lot of the suggestions you make I’ve made part of my routine to keep my mind free.
My music is playing all the time and I’ve been a musician for over 40 years, so it helps take quick breaks to bury myself in a song for a few seconds, bring the smile back on my face and crack on.
Every lunch time I go for a walk. If I’m stuck there is something about it that frees up my thinking walking around a field outside my house. I stop burying my head in the negative of problems and instantly my mind starts thinking of options…whats my next step? Maybe the act of walking acts as a catalyst in thinking about small steps.
Coming to the club and MOT regularly also helps me massively. When I’m in limbo of what to do next or there is a lull at work. Just taking part and branching out to other peoples problems and understanding their perspectives helps me enormously. Sometimes, the solution I’m looking for is sitting right in front of me in the club or in a trend, article or video.
And of course I have a great peer network. Being able to turn to my colleagues and team and freely express with them “I’m stuck”, “I’m bored” etc. with no judgement is liberating. In that sense I’m very lucky to be in a culture of people that just want to help each other.
Great post!! It happens very frequently that we get stuck at work or in day to day life with some or the other thing. We think about the problem and continuously occupy our mind to seek solutions. At work, I usually spend a few hours resolving the issue if it’s technical. Sometimes I get success but if not I leave it there. Go for coffee or chit chat with team mates and stay away for a few minutes or may be that particular day. Again come back with a fresh mindset and new thought process and it definitely helps to find a solution and get rid of the problem. I strongly feel that when we keep trying with the same mindset and it does not work, leave it for that particular moment because our mind is blocked and is not able to think differently. Coming back with a fresh mindset sometimes works just in a few minutes.
A few times, especially for non technical things, I do seek advice from friends, colleagues sharing about the situation, problems where I feel they can help me with their experience and suggestions. I do prefer to take advice from them and try to implement what they suggested. Suggestions may/may not work but I feel much relaxed and comfortable while I speak to them and recharged to work again on the resolution of the problem.
Many of what you’ve already suggested is a big help for me. I find that if something is plaguing me at work, going for a drive and running errands will get my subconscious brain in problem-solving mode. I know while driving, I’ve talked out loud about a solution with my kids in the car, and they are so confused until I explain what’s going on in my head. Washing the dishes helps as well (though I still hate washing dishes).
I appreciate how you share that getting stuck does not mean that something is wrong. It’s just a normal part of the thought worker’s experience. I think I needed to hear that.
And, any excuse to get a snack or more coffee is welcomed by me. Great article @AdyStokes!