How to Create Momentum When Feeling Stuck
You've most likely experienced those moments when you decide to do something new. Maybe you've wanted to start eating healthy, give up smoking, or embark on a new resolution or project. You most likely started off with a wave of momentum and optimism only to find yourself feeling stuck down the road. In those moments reigniting your inspiration can help you create movement again. Below we share how to do that.
Why Do We Get Stuck?
There are many reasons why it's difficult to maintain momentum throughout an initiative. First, after the initial excitement wears off, there is space for worry. How am I going to make this idea happen? Will I be able to pull it off? What will others think?
While these questions can be useful, it is the random way in which these questions appear in our minds that can paralyze us or leave us feeling overwhelmed.
Second, you may lose touch with one of the driving forces of your project/idea: why we want something. We get so involved in the what and how we tend to forget about the why.
4 Questions To Help You Re-Ignite Your Inspiration
Why? What is the inspiring purpose behind this project or the problem you're trying to solve?
Give yourself some time to connect with your why. Expressing your why reconnects you with your source of inspiration.What? What kinds of actions might cause progress (learning a new skill, making connections, etc.)? Chances are that you can then return to your project with a solution-focused approach. This will open up space to think about concrete actions that can help you progress towards your goal.
How? In what ways might I take those actions (schedule meetings, take a class, hire a resource, etc.)? This question points you to the most effective place to spend your time and energy.
What if? What is the future vision if you are successful (for yourself, others, and the community)? Last but not least, asking "what if" paints the picture of the desired future. This helps you to plant the seeds of inspiration to make that vision come true.
When facing a lack of momentum, let these 4 questions help you to find (or re-ignite) your inspiration. The questions come from the 4MAT 4Business Model; yet, you may also notice that the 4 questions align with the Lead True Model for True Leadership (SM) as well.
About the Author
Lead True Global Leader Andrea Henning’s vision is that when people discover their authenticity and dare to follow their bliss they are happier and more successful in their lives while serving as an inspiration to their communities.
Read more from Andrea Henning below.
After the tragic deaths of black and brown Americans, followed by the wave of outrage and pain that rose into a global outcry, I realized that I know nothing about the systemic racial inequity and injustice in the United States.