A common theme among my clients when we first start coaching together is that they feel stuck. Stuck in their living situation, stuck in a relationship, stuck in their career, or all of the above.  They are staying the course in their life even when they feel unfulfilled.

When purpose-driven individuals feel stuck, and at the same time, are ready to hit the accelerator to live in alignment with their values and share their expertise and commitment to do good,  we all lose. Recognizing the talent among us and supporting one another to do our best work and live our best lives is essential to realizing local and global change.

Here are four tips for getting unstuck-

1. Make change a priority. Imagine how will you feel and how your life will be different once you overcome whatever is holding you back. Write this down. This reflects your vision, purpose, and goals.

2. Seek resources. There are so many avenues for accessing knowledge and tools for personal development. Love reading? Check out the personal development section of your local library. Hate reading? Checkout or download an audio book or podcast. Interested in a more immersive experience? Attend an in-person or online conference that resonates with you.  

3. Inquire within. You are your own best compass when it comes to making a change. When we get stuck we have a tendency to look to others who have what we want. Don’t do this- comparison will not help you move forward. Only you can move you forward. A great place to start is by asking yourself some key questions to prompt key actions for change.

   • What is important to me right now?

   • What is getting in my way?

   • What will it take to change this?

   • How and when will I do this?

4. Get a partner. When you take the time to become more self aware and focus on your personal development you are investing in yourself. Make the most of this dedicated investment by asking for help. Choose someone who will partner with you and hold your vision with love and attention. This could be a counselor, coach, close friend, or a colleague. Regardless of who you bring on board to help you, make sure this person supports the change you want to make, will be direct with you, and is available to regularly check in with you and hold you accountable for your commitments.

My greatest wish is that we stop holding ourselves back, find practices to sustain our energy and motivation, and continue to move forward to better serve our families, communities, and world.

What is holding you back? What commitment are you willing to make to overcome it and move forward? Who do you have or need in your life to help you keep this promise?