The nine top reasons for stuckness

Do you ever have difficulty launching into a new project?  When this happens, do you ever feel as if you just can't focus on what you're supposed to do to start?   Instead of designing that new course curriculum, writing that next proposal or chapter, or grading those exams, do you find yourself playing a mindless computer game, like Solitaire, or checking your e-mail every few minutes?  

Well, it happens to me!  Sometimes, I feel so lost that I can't even tell what I'm "supposed" to be doing!  It's like living one of those awful dreams in which no matter how hard I try to run, I just can't get my legs to move fast enough.  If this ever happens to you, keep reading. If not, give yourself a pat on the back and move onto something else.

Stuck in Dreamworld
I'm not sure what to call this experience.  While it's a part of the procrastination picture, it's but one aspect of it.  I like the word "Stuck."  There are other good words for it: stalled, unfocused, lost, distracted, and brain freeze.  If you have a word that resonates better with you, feel free to substitute it anytime I use "stuck."

Why is it so hard?
Let's face it, there's at least one good reason why it's hard for you... otherwise, it wouldn't be a difficult project.  This may seem like a tautology, but it's not; however, it is circular and self-feeding.  The harder something feels, the more you avoid it, the more stuck you get. Other people might get stuck on the same project, but for different reasons.

As a coach, I'm not so interested in (the capital W) "Why" you are stuck -- the in-depth exploration of the derivation and etiology of your stuckness disorder -- but rather that you are stuck.  Yet there are obvious differences in stuckness that show up with even a cursory inspection.  Let's take a quick look and see what reasons show up that might lead you to be stuck.

The nine top reasons for stuckness:

• Lack of creative "juice"
• Tiredness (whether due to poor self-care, workaholism, or excessive demand)
• The immediate task in front of you is too large, complicated, or unwieldy
• Poor support (institutional, financial, collegial, or familial)
• Inadequate preparation or skill set
• Distractions and interruptions which disrupt your preparation and concentration
• Poor organizational skills
• The action required is inconsistent with your values
• Inadequate personal foundation (including: habits, structures, health, self-confidence, relationships, financial issues, etc.)

This list is not all-inclusive, of course, and, as you might expect, your reason may really be several reasons.

What to do?

• Do you recognize yourself and your situation here?  If not, what else is going on?
  
  
• Be honest.  Assess your strengths and limitations with shameless enthusiasm.  If you know your starting place, it is far easier to get where you want to go.
  
  
• Realize that success requires focused effort over time.  While getting more sleep and exercise would address the tiredness issue rather quickly, developing a new skill set or improved organizational ability will take time even under the best of circumstances.
  
  
• Don't assume that you can do this by yourself, even though you may have been taught that self-reliance is the major criterion of adulthood.  Even if you can, it will take less time with proper support and most likely relieve you of a good deal of doubt and stress in the meantime.  Remember, I've seen the effect that good support can have on people's psyche, as well as on the course of their progress.

I've seen people "take off" with the support of professional coaching.  Naturally, I believe that coaching is the answer to many of life's persistent problems, as I've seen it enhance performance and satisfaction so dramatically.  But I don't know that coaching is the answer for you or, if it is, that I'm the right coach for you.  If you'd like to have a conversation to explore the possibility that what I have to offer would be of real value to you, to see if we're a "fit," please feel free to get in touch with me.  My contact information is below.  

Next time
The next issue of this newsletter will focus on getting the creative juice flowing once again.  If you have a specific topic you would like me to address, do send me an e-mail.

May you create with swiftness and ease -

     Steve

I help university professors and doctoral candidates get more done, in less time, with less stress, and with more joy.

Sound good?  To explore whether coaching is for you, call me at 315-472-0504 or toll-free at 1-888-832-8421 to ask your questions.  If it looks like what you are looking to address is amenable to coaching, we can set up a complimentary coaching session. 

In this session, you would bring an important issue on which you'd like to move forward.  We'll spend about 45 minutes exploring what's up and how you might take action in a way that makes sense and feels right to you.  Most people take away something valuable from this session, whether it is by obtaining greater clarity, deepening their understanding of their situation, or having new insights. Most likely, you will also have some initial steps you know you can do to start moving forward.

If you decide that what you could gain by working with me regularly is worth it to you, you hire me.  If you're not sure, you don't.  Simple as that.  Nothing to lose... everything to gain, right? 

If you'd rather, send me an e-mail: coach@stevereiter.com, or visit my web site at 
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The Reiter Coaching Letter is published by Steve Reiter on the first and third Tuesday of each month.  The purpose is to challenge you and support you in creating success and fulfillment throughout your life.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all content is written and edited by Steve Reiter, MS, PCC.  You are welcome to republish any or all parts of this newsletter; I ask only that you honor the copyright by including full acknowledgment, which includes the words "Copyright 2002, Reiter Coaching. All rights reserved." and a listing of my contact information (name, e-mail, web site).  Additionally, I would appreciate receiving a copy of the publication in which the article appears.

The Reiter Coaching Letter
Copyright (c) 2003, Reiter Coaching. All rights reserved.
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