The Top 10 Actions to Try When Blocked

Originally Submitted on 1/19/2001.

'I'm goofing off, stalling, shuffling papers and minoring in majors as Denis Waitley says. I have a slight headache and cannot make myself get started this morning and it's already 10 a.m. Motivate me, inspire me!'

Most of us can identify with the person who wrote this as she battled with a major writing project. Perhaps my response to her may be helpful to others. See if any of these works for you:

1. Sit down and journal about how you are feeling, what's going on.

When you feel you have finished, keep going. The superficial answers are easy to find, the deeper and more important ones may take some digging.

2. Go for a brisk walk, preferably, but not essentially, in a natural setting.

At first, tune your senses outwards, to what you see and hear. Later, let your thoughts go where they will.

3. Do something physical that does not call for thinking, for 15-30 minutes.

Polish, wash floor, whatever. Or work out to an exercise tape. Play some energizing music.

4. Consider whether you are in any kind of carbo- or caffeine withdrawal.

Is it worth it to give yourself a dash of whatever your body is craving, or will this break some dietary regime that is important to you?

5. Take a real, official, break.

Sit down with the newspaper, or a crossword puzzle, and give yourself 10-20 minutes with the promise that after that you will start work. If the headache is serious, consider taking something for it... that won't put you to sleep.

6. Ask yourself what it is that you do not want to do, and why.

Where is the block? If you are fearful that it won't be good enough, what is the worst that can happen? Will the sky fall?

7. Write down five GREAT things that will result, sooner or later, from your making good progress on this project.

Print them up LARGE and put them where you will see them.

8. Do 10 minutes of stretches, yoga, or something similar.

Keep your mental focus on the bodily sensations as you do this.

9. Set the stage.

Lay out everything just as it needs to be for you to work most efficiently. Do this in a short time with a time limit - maybe pretending you are an assistant getting everything ready for the boss who will arrive in ten (or so) minutes. Then, how can you resist setting yourself down and taking advantage of this perfect setting?

10. If all else fails, call your coach.

---

About the Submitter

This content may be forwarded in full, with copyright, contact, and creation information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit context. For other uses, permission in writing from CoachVille is required. Questions: email topten@coachville.com

Please use your browser controls to close this page & return to the selection page, or click to return to Top 10 home page.