Remember when you set those goals for this year? Is your energy and excitement waning? Are you slowing down?

Have you hit a speed bump or two along the way? 

That momentum and excitement has turned to stalling and second-guessing yourself.

And if you’re asking, “Who did I think I was, believing I could even do this?” You, my friend, need a loving kick-in-the-pants. 

Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving.

Albert Einstein

We’ve all been there. Drowning in the enormity of it all, we find ourselves paralyzed, scared to make a decision, and confused on what we “should do.”

When I used to feel this stuck-ness,  I found myself engaging in “productive procrastination”. AKA doing anything but the thing I should be doing. I was busy doing the laundry or putting out false alarm fires to avoid the hard work.

You gotta get over those speed bumps. Those speed bumps are there to slow you down, to give you time to take deliberate action and make thoughtful choices, not to stall your progress.

If you’re slowing down, here are 5 Ways to Stay In The Game

1. Start Small:
When you’re looking at a big project (like writing a book, applying for a new job, preparing that presentation, building a website), it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Instead, break it down into small pieces until you feel confident you can do that step. Instead of focusing on building a website, begin with researching site styles you like.

2. Limit Your Indecision:
Set a specific amount of time for research, planning or making decisions. If you give yourself 30 minutes, it reduces the time you spend worrying you’re not making the “perfect” choice.

3. Test Test Test:
Don’t try to be “right” at first. Get things done and test to see if it works. Most things you do the first time will be redone several times until you learn what works. My rule of thumb? Get out version 1 as fast as I can so I can see what works and what doesn’t.

4. Talk It Out:
Sometimes, talking about your projects or tasks can provide clarity. It could be a mentor, a friend, a coach or a goal-buddy who is working towards the same or similar goal as you. Talk about where you’re feeling stuck, and often, you’ll find a fresh perspective.

5. Walk It Out:
Walking my dog, Kipp, helps me clear my head. When I’ve got a problem I can’t solve, my brain magically finds a solution while we’re out moving in the fresh air. 

The next time you feel stuck in overwhelm and indecision, try these steps.