Get Unstuck With a 7-day Goal
Do you ever find yourself feeling stuck? You know you need to move forward, but somehow you’ve managed to sink your wheels into the mud and all momentum is lost. It can be a frustrating, draining experience.
In one of the herd of books I’m currently reading, The Power of Focus, I came across a great, simple idea to blast out of that stuckness. The authors described adventurer John Goddard‘s response when asked about overcoming roadblocks:
“When I get stuck, I restart myself by focusing on one goal I can finish in the next seven days – something simple. I don’t think about anything else – that usually starts my momentum again.”
I love that idea. For me, part of the challenge with getting bogged down is the inertia it creates. Stuck energy feeds stuck energy, and the cycle goes on ad nauseum.
Part of that bogged down inertia comes when my focus is too diffuse. Having something clearly defined to sink my teeth into helps me start taking action. With a 7-day goal, not only is it clearly defined, but there’s a payoff within sight. The energy of both the progress and the payoff combines to break free of the self-perpetuating stuckness.
At the same time, giving it a time frame of seven days gives you enough time to engage in something substantial, something bigger than a box to tick on your to-do list. The sense of accomplishment there also feeds the forward momentum.
Try this: Do a brain dump of possible 7-day goals. What would you be able to accomplish in seven days that would energize you? What could you sink your teeth into that would start to energize you and get you moving? Pick one and start taking action. Let me know how it goes.
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After years as a professional malcontent, Curt Rosengren discovered the power of passion. As a speaker, author, and coach, Rosengren helps people create careers that energize and inspire them. His book, 101 Ways to Get Wild About Work, and his E-book, The Occupational Adventure Guide, offer people tools for turning dreams into reality. Rosengren’s blog, The M.A.P. Maker, explores how to craft a life of meaning, abundance, and passion.