I don't need to tell you that life has ups and downs, highs and lows, thrilling projects that draw you in like a magnet and, well…other sh*t you have to do. You know the kind of project that prompts you to do a deep clean of your house instead of even getting started. The kind that brings on an instant sinus infection forcing you into Netflix recovery mode instead of doing your work. Your work—how did this project fall on your plate, anyway? Whether it's your job search, a project at the office that is way out of your wheelhouse or your family budgeting—when we're adult-ing—there are things in life we have to do, no matter how much they make us want to pull the covers over our heads. 

Here are some ways I help my clients (and myself!) get through the brick wall of resistance to not only nail the project at hand, but learn about what's been blocking them/us in the process. 

1. Acknowledge your stuck-ness
Inertia has you in it's grip, my friend. It's ok—it happens to the best of us. Let yourself off the hook. Just because you've been holding off on kick-starting this project, it doesn't mean you're a loser. I'm certain you have some good reasons for not doing this thing and now is the time to do some free writing to figure out what they may be. You can acknowledge your fears one by one by writing and speaking aloud the following: I haven't done ___________ because I was afraid of ____________. That's ok, but I'm ready to move on because I'm [insert your superpowers here].

2. Tap into your team
You're not the first person who has ever had to create a budget or has looked for a job. I promise. Who do you know that has done something similar and did not die? Who has mastered this hideous thing and can walk you through it in grave detail over a sushi dinner or a drink? The bonus to this approach is that you get to connect with your friend or colleague and actually laugh—even just a little while you're jumping into the unknown with your project. Perhaps this person can even hold you accountable for doing what you say you're going to do along the way. Having periodic meetings with your team member can give you some natural deadlines and motivation to keep going! 

3. Re-brand and plan your marketing blitz
Think about the language you're using for your project. You're not alone if you're using words like, "have to, should, ball and chain and this f-ing thing." Who's going to want to do anything related to those choice words? Time for a project re-brand! What are some aspects of the project that are exciting? What might you learn? What about it might be slightly ridiculous or funny? Go on and dig deep. You're going to create a title or perhaps an image that will either make you laugh or inspire you, creating a new story about your goal and what you want to get out of this project. Good branding evokes feelings and connection to the end product or the company. What feeling do you want to create? One of my clients was planning a move to California, but was completely overwhelmed by all she had to do to make the move possible. We came up with a simple title and then she went ahead and put together an bitmoji of herself in the sunshine under the words, "Operation, Cali!" For my own budgeting exercise last summer, I named all of my documents and folders on my Mac, "Financial Badassery." Who wants to work on a budget when you can think about acquiring financial badassery? 

4. Track progress and celebrate small wins…big
Create a simple process to track milestones so you know when you've completed even the smallest of baby steps along the way. I like tools like Asana, Evernote or even reminders in Google Calendar to keep me on task. Remember, a week ago you could barely get started and now you've completed a handful of tasks. Celebrate each of these in a BIG way. You may not be to your goal, but you're moving. You're doing it! By celebrating ongoing, you'll be able to gain the confidence and momentum to keep going toward your goal—and you'll have fun instead of powering through drudgery. Which would you choose? 

Once you master this approach, there's no end to its practical applications. I use it for areas of my business where I'm doing "pretty well" but feel some fear and want to go deeper in understanding it. "Pretty well" is not how I roll, so stay tuned for my latest project, "Countdown To TED Talk", people. See you there. 
 

When the Sunday night stomach churn expands through the entire weekend. When you embody the "Yes Man or Woman" you've always despised, because having a point of view feels futile. When anger turns to hopelessness and you return home each day, a pile of mush—hungry for comfort food, Sauvignon Blanc, and your reality TV binge dujour. This is what it looks like when you feel trapped in your job. If you don't recognize this picture, you're one of the lucky (or self-aware) few! For the rest of us, at some point in our careers, we've numbed ourselves into believing we're in a no way out situation with a healing pint of Talenti Sea Salt Caramel and some nasty words about the people and the situation that brought us here. 

While it's true that external forces can create one of these career rock-bottom moments where we have a micro-managing boss, a colleague seemingly sabotaging our success or a workplace with endless hours and unrelenting deadlines, STAYING in that situation is a CHOICE Let me repeat this to make sure you get it. 

Staying in the situation, continuing to tell yourself and others that you're trapped—IS YOUR CHOICE. 

Here are 3 ways I work with clients to help them make the critical mindset shift that propels them out of their stuck situation. 

1. What are you getting out of being trapped? 
As human beings, we typically don't stay in a situation if we're not getting something out of it. You may be yelling at the screen right now. "What the f could I be getting out of this job? I hate it!" I get it, but if you had to think of one thing, what would it be? Often the answer is—permission to choose fear. Fear of rejection when applying for a new job. Fear that you won't find the money or the flexibility you have right now. Fear that none of your interview clothes fit. Fear that the next job will be even worse. Fear that you can't do anything else. These are all valid and understandable fears, but you are a smart and capable person who has conquered your fears before. Why are you letting them win now? 

2. Acknowledge you're in a TEMPORARY crap-tastic situation
When you tell yourself that you're trapped, you cut off the potential of seeing any new opportunities or ways out of it. And you continue to create your "trapped" situation. By acknowledging that this moment is temporary, you remove the world of pressure that comes from the proposition of facing an entire lifetime of this feeling. Instead, you can focus on getting through this moment on this day. There's beautiful wisdom in the recovery program mantra, "One day at a time." All you need to do is focus on right now. The relief you feel from this one practice, will allow you to look up again while you're walking through the world and see clues and possibilities for your next move that would never have been available to you. 

3. Channel your superpowers
By this time in your career, you've logged some significant successes. It may be hard to remember them in your current state, but dig deep. What's a career highlight that makes you beam with pride? What are the special qualities you have that helped you succeed? What are the things others would tell you are your strengths or your superpowers (because that's frankly more fun)? If you're not sure, go ask the people who have supported you in your career. While it may be hard for you to ask, I assure you, it will be easy for them to answer. Get this list of superhuman qualities together and write out a plan for how you're going to use each one to get yourself out of this temporary shit-show. When you have a plan, you are leveraging your strengths and taking action every day with a maniacal focus. It's only a matter of time until this sitch eats your dust!

So put down the Talenti and the remote control. You're done choosing fear, today.