Many times in life, it feels like the easiest thing to do is to just stop moving forward. Your legs feel heavy, your heart isn’t in it, and the end goal feels like it’s a million miles away. It’s almost like being stuck in deep mud; the harder you try to pull your feet out, the deeper you sink. But here’s the thing — moving forward is not just about the strength of your legs, it’s about the determination of your mind. It’s about training yourself to keep your eyes on the prize, even when your motivation seems to have taken an extended vacation.
When you want to stop giving into the urge to procrastinate, the approach doesn’t have to be complicated or be difficult to understand. One way to tackle it is by making a simple list. Not a mental list, but a physical one that you can see and touch. Write down what you need to do in small, manageable steps, and then as you complete each item, cross it off. There’s something immensely satisfying about making that physical mark on the paper. It says, “I’ve accomplished something,” and that small victory can help propel you to the next task.
Another method that engineers might use is breaking their work down into smaller time chunks. They set specific times to focus on work and then take short breaks. This is known as the Pomodoro Technique. Work for, say, 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. During those 25 minutes, give the task all your attention. Then, during your break, really take a break. Stand up, stretch, grab a snack, or just gaze out the window. The trick is to keep the breaks short enough so you don’t lose the momentum of your work flow.
Also, it can be tempting to keep looking back at what you did wrong or what you could have done better. This habit can grind your progress to a halt. Instead of dwelling on past mistakes, learn from them. Acknowledge the error, understand it, and then consciously decide to leave it in the past and move forward. Every time you find yourself looking back, remind yourself that the past cannot be changed, but the future is still very much in your hands.
If feeling stuck in life is the challenge, tapping into a support network can make a world of difference. Talk to friends, family, or even coworkers about what you’re feeling. Sometimes, just saying the words out loud can help alleviate some of the weight. Also, hearing other people’s perspectives might give you new ideas on how to move past the rut you’re in. Remember, everyone feels stuck at some point; you’re not alone in this.
A useful strategy from psychology is to shift your focus. Instead of thinking about all that you have yet to do, consider what you’ve already done. This switch in perspective can instantly make your workload seem less daunting. It shows you that, yes, you are capable of making progress and that each step, no matter how small, counts towards your goal.
Sometimes, one major reason why we stop is because we’re not taking good care of ourselves. Being overworked, under-slept, and poorly nourished are recipes for burnout. Listen to your body. If you’re tired, rest. If you’re hungry, eat. Mindfulness practices like deep breathing or meditation can also be helpful in regaining focus. They help clear your mind, allowing you to cut through the noise and confusion that might be bogging you down.
Setting up rewards for yourself can also help keep you on track. If there’s a particular task that you’re not looking forward to, promise yourself a reward once it’s completed. It could be something as simple as a piece of chocolate, an episode of your favorite show, or a walk in the park. The point is to have something to look forward to, something that makes the journey seem worthwhile.
Lastly, sometimes the best way to get unstuck is to just start moving — anywhere. Motion begets motion. If you can’t tackle the task directly in front of you, then work on something else. The important thing is that you’re not standing still. Once you get going, it becomes easier to switch gears back to the task that you were avoiding.
Progress is not always a straight line. Sometimes it’s two steps forward, one step back. The key is to not let that one step back prevent the next two steps forward. Remember that the power to keep moving lies with you, and you alone. Your determination, your resilience, and your willingness to keep trying, even when all you want to do is stop, are what will ultimately carry you through to the end of your journey.
Sources
- https://www.boisestate.edu/coen-mbe/2021/04/20/5-ways-to-stop-procrastinating/
- https://www.quora.com/Why-does-it-feel-that-everyone-is-moving-forward-in-life-except-for-me
- https://stackoverflow.blog/2020/05/07/the-way-forward/
- https://medium.com/@stephaniezoccatelli/4-steps-to-stop-looking-back-and-start-moving-forward-4e822de3a30d
- https://psychcentral.com/blog/feeling-stuck-in-life-tips-to-move-forward
