by: Joyce Friel, Peak Performance Consulting
You know ‘stuckness’. It’s when you’re at that point where you feel immobilized, confused, uncertain, stymied, numb, powerless, not in control, tired. It happens when you lose your job, lose a big contract, didn’t get the promotion you expected, find out you have to move, get a divorce, are very ill, or some one you care about is very ill. You know, you’ve been there.Know what? It also happens when you get married (Oh, this is what its like!), have a child (My gosh, will this kid ever sleep through the night?), get a promotion or a big new responsibility (Oh dear, can I do this?), or your child graduates (Yippee, but will they move back in?). Getting ‘stuck’ happens both when sad and happy occasions occur.
Stuckness can be good if you hit on a process or method that really works for you and you work it for maximum return. But it isn’t cool when you get to end of that good run and haven’t thought through your options. It can mean you don’t know how to change, stop learning, are helpless to help yourself because you keep doing things the same way you’ve always done them. But luckily we all have the choice to change from stuck to luck (catch the rhyme) with minimal risk of things getting worse and maximum potential for them to get better.
Good News and Bad News
You don’t think you’ve ever been there? Just wait!
Haven’t been there in a while? Good!
You’re there now? Welcome to the club – it happens to all of us!
Guess what? It will happen to you again (and again, and again).
Yep, that’s right. It happens to all of us…multiple times. Some of you move through the physical, emotional, and psychological roller coaster of change quickly and for others it takes time. The key is to not get STUCK in the quagmire.
Warning Signs!
Fortunately, there are warning signs and if you heed them you’ll become more resilient and get out of ‘stuckness’ more quickly. Some of these signs are:
- A body part – you know which part it is. It will get sore, start to ache, act up.
- Breathing – holding your breathe or breathing too quickly – slow down, take deep breaths
- Pace – faster than usual. You’re rushing to get to some place, but you don’t even know where.
- Sleeping pattern – either insomnia or wanting to sleep all the time, yet you are still tired.
When you see any of these warning signs, they are clear signals that you need to take stock, reflect, review your plan for getting life back in order, and if necessary, get help.
So what can I do to move on…get myself out of ‘stuckness’ when it happens to me?
Here are a few TIPS…
- NORMAL and NECESSARY – stages of change happen to everyone – accept it as a fact
- STEAM VALVES – find an outlet for frustration, anger, confusion
- SUPPORT SYSTEM – accept the help and understanding of your friends and family
- YOU – take care of yourself – maintain exercise, eat right, get rest
- PLAN – reexamine, reflect and plan for how you can take steps to move forward
http://www.peakperformancecorp.com
http://joycefriel.blogspot.com
