For most of my clients feeling stuck comes and goes, and it’s often triggered from outside events. Politics, global issues, changes at work. It can feel like a pond freezing over, and the last open spots closing in, crystal by crystal.
I often think of what I call the Houdini principle: What do you do when you’re in a straitjacket, in a box, with chains, under water?
Here’s a place to start. What if instead of trying to change the circumstances, you realize that uncertainty often triggers a confidence dip.
It’s a momentary lack of confidence that drags us back to our comfort zones, and it’s there that we keep trying the same things, hoping for a different outcome.
But confidence is there for you, if you let it. When you keep the faith, you can then do a few things:
Embrace vulnerability: Imperfections don’t diminish our worth; they make us human, and they are usually connected to our unique gifts.
Reconnect with your confidence: Confidence isn’t about projecting a flawless image; it’s about understanding your unique strengths. Remember your unique skills and qualities and spend time revisiting moments when they’ve been working for you. Celebrate successes, even small ones, to re-start your energy.
Take Initiative: Action begets action. Set small, achievable goals. Break down larger tasks into manageable steps and do one or two. Each accomplishment builds momentum.
Cultivate Innovation: Yes, being open can feel threatening when you’re feeling uncertain. But listening lets you explore new perspectives and approaches. It’s not just that you might hear a solution you hadn’t though of; it’s that being open fosters creativity, and that grows the sage voice that will help you get unstuck.
Getting unstuck can be an inner game. You have more room to move than you think. Keep the faith about your confidence, and it will be there for you.