Do you sometimes feel stuck, even when you’ve planned your tasks? You know what needs to be done but you just can’t seem to take action, something’s holding you back. Well, fear not, you’re certainly not
alone.
Emotional barriers such as procrastination, self-doubt, fear of failure, or perfectionism can derail even the most well-organised plans. This affects your productivity and creates stress, frustration and a
sense of feeling stuck.
Here are five practical strategies to help you get unstuck and over those barriers.
1. Identify Your Triggers
You need to understand a problem before you can solve it. Take a step back to reflect on what’s holding you back.
- Do certain tasks feel overwhelming?
- Are you feeling tired and demotivated?
- Are you worried
about not meeting expectations - your own or someone else’s?
- Is perfectionism stopping you from even starting? (That’s far more common than you might think!)
Get it out of your head by writing it down, journaling or simply pausing to notice
these patterns can help identify any specific emotional barriers standing in your way. Once you know or understand your triggers, you can start to address them.
2. Be Realistic
Big goals can be inspiring - but they can also feel overwhelming. You end up feeling more demotivating than inspired. If your goals or to-do list feels overwhelming, break in down into smaller, more manageable steps.
For example, instead of setting a goal like “Write a book or report,” start with:
- Outline the key chapters or sections
- Jot down a few key discussion topics for each section
- Draft the introduction
- Write one section at a time
- Refine and rewrite
You wouldn’t write a book in one go or run a marathon straight off. You start by training and building up to crossing the finish line. Focus on small, achievable actions, to build momentum and give you a sense of achievement.
3. Shift Your Inner Dialogue
We can be our own harshest critics. If
you catch yourself thinking, “I should be able to do this” or “Why can’t I do this?”, then STOP!
- Productivity isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress.
- Setbacks are learning opportunities, not failures.
- Every small
step forward counts, go at your own pace, not everyone else’s.
We tend to focus on what we haven’t achieved and ignore or forget how much we have achieved or how far we’ve come. When you catch the negative self-talk, turn it into a positive.
“I CAN do this, if I practice … learn the right skills … ask for help …” or “I can’t do this … YET!” See the silver-lining not the clouds!
4. Take a Break to Reset Your Mindset
When you feel stuck, your first instinct might be to push through - but sometimes the best thing to do is step away and give yourself a break.
Even taking a short break will
help:
- Shift your perspective and break negative thought patterns, go and do something else for a while. Even making a cup of tea allows you to focus on something else.
- Reduce stress and clear your mental clutter, take a break outdoors, go for a walk, a few deep breaths and a stretch.
- Boost your creativity and problem-solving abilities, especially if you go and do something completely different or with a different energy level.
If you're overthinking, a brief reset makes it easier to return to your task with a fresh
perspective.
Never feel guilty about taking breaks! They’re essential to improving your focus and productivity.
5. Reach Out for Support
You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Talk to a friend, business mentor or join a supportive community. When you share your challenges it not only helps you realise you’re not alone but gives you different perspectives and encouragement when things are tough.
If you’re struggling to stay on track or feeling overwhelmed, consider structured support:
- Talk things through with a coach or counsellor
- Join a group of like-minded people with similar challenges
- Learn new strategies to improve your skills and help you manage your time and energy better
Emotional barriers to productivity are real and need to be addressed. By practicing these strategies, you can stop feeling stuck and break the unproductive
cycle.
We're addressing these and more in the FREE 5 Day Challenge and you can still join in HERE.
