It’s part of the process, but getting unstuck can be hard if you don’t know why you’re stuck.

1

You’re not sure what step comes next

You can simplify most creative processes into plan–execute–evaluate. If you just made something, then evaluate it. If you just did that, then make a plan for what comes next. Then do it!

2

You’re doing two steps at once

Likely evaluating whether an idea is good or not while you’re trying to come up with more. Nothing stops work faster than a brain that is making something and judging if it’s good or not at the same time.

3

You’re trying to eat the elephant whole

Big projects can be overwhelming and we procrastinate because we don’t have the appetite to eat the whole elephant. But eating an elephant is just like eating a baby carrot. One bite at a time. Break it down into edible and digestible chunks. What will your next bite be?

4

You’re Distracted

Distractions really only become a problem if you’re not enjoying your work What could make it fun? How can you be playful or silly in the next sprint? Who might be able to help you? What’s something that you can do to help with distractions? (Hint: start by putting your phone away.)

5

You are lost in the forest amidst the trees. 

Zoom back out! Think about the whole project, do some planning our outlining, or review the purpose of the work you’re doing. Maybe even change your medium for a while. Go from digital to analog. Use paint or markers or Sharpie. Changing your method and medium can help change your thinking.

6

This project has become meaningless 

In the scope of pandemics and Black Lives Matter, whatever you were working on before suddenly seems trivial. It’s ok to put it down and come back to it. Or remind yourself that we still need creative outlets and personal projects to keep us energized to do deeper work.

7

You’re Burned out

Take a break, already! Breaks energize our work. Do some stretching, go for a walk. Read a book. Take a nap. Call a friend. Step away from the work!

8

You are too invested 

It’s hard to be objective and see what your work really needs because you’re too close to it for too long. Get an outside opinion. Present it. Ask for feedback. See how it looks in the light of day. Put it in a drawer and come back to it in a week or a month or a year.

9

You overcommitted

For example, if you titled an article about the 9 reasons and as you write it, realize that you might only have 8. Now what? What if you changed the scope? Changed your involvement? Slowed things down? Said “no” for once?

Being stuck is not fun but it’s part of the process. But the more we can understand why we get stuck in the first place, the more easily we can get unstuck and build some momentum.

Identify what’s holding you back and change something. So which one is it?

Caveday is a company aimed at improving your relationship to work. We write regular posts on Medium and send out monthly Newsletters with productivity tips, life hacks, and recommendations. Sign up for the mailing list here.

Or sign up for Jake Kahana’s personal emails, called “The Email Refrigerator” here.