Do You Need a Hug? 6 Ways to Get Back on Track

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Everyone feels down from time to time, feels like they are climbing an ever growing mountain of expectations, tasks and targets. Is it any wonder if you stumble and slip down into the dark land of inertia from time to time? Sometimes we can be our own worst critics. Whatever creative field you are in, you are bound to get disillusioned from time to time and find it difficult to move forwards. It is all too easy to see the failures rather than the successes when you’re down. That’s when you know it’s time to give yourself a break, give yourself a hug. Then check out these top 6 ways to get back on track.

Try to remember why it is you have chosen to commit yourself to your field in the first place, what is it that makes you passionate? What are you aiming for? What drives you to succeed and leave the competition choking in the dust?

Here are some simple steps to help you re-connect with your true creative potential.

Prioritise and Plan

Chaos works for some people, but for most knowing the direction you are headed in and how to achieve it can give you a major feeling of control. And reassures you that what you are doing has a reason and is worth the hiccups you will inadvertently encounter along the way. Always Keeping your end goal in mind will make sure that you are only doing what you truly need to, and not worrying over tasks that are not essential to your success. Anyone in business will be familiar with the 80/20 rule. That 80% of your profit will come from 20% of your customers, and that 80% of your progress will come from 20% of your work. If you can get rid of the 80% of tasks that have little or no consequence and focus on the 20% that will make the biggest difference just imagine how much further you could be in a year from now.

Pump up the Music

There’s nothing like a blast of high tempo beats to get you moving on a project. Let the music focus you and build a consistency in your actions until you have completed the task at hand. You can also use relaxing music to chill you out on an anxious day. There’s even a meditation program designed to increase concentration and aid creative problem solving by inducing specific brain wave patterns within your mind. Whatever floats your boat, or your mood, do it.

Fill your Noggin

Why not watch a documentary or catch up on your RSS reader? Do something to stimulate your brain. Try Current TV for hard hitting documentaries or Ted Talks for engaging talks. And you don’t have to restrain to only learning about your field. Often learning about a completely different issue/subject can have a refreshing effect and get you thinking in a different way. There’s nothing like airing your mind and allowing it to create in its own time, ideas always come when you are relaxed, and like hell will they come when you ask. Filling your noggin can stimulate you in unpredictable ways. Calm your mind and let it call your genius.

Just do it

In the famous words of Nike, just do it! If you are avoiding something, and let’s be honest, isn’t everyone? Then this will cause feelings of guilt which will only further compound feelings of fear and inadequacy, both common root causes of procrastination. Is there one particular issue you are finding yourself stumbling over? Can’t write the first line of an important article? Can’t get the chorus right on your new single? Identify what is holding you back from completing or starting this 1 item. Do not let yourself do anything else until you do something towards what needs to be done. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t work first time, taking action is the first step to completing. Every project is easier once started. And every project is finished more efficiently once looked at it in a new, vibrant and energetic light. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Everyone knows the feeling of relief after completing a much put off task. Imagine that relief, now live it.

Let it Out

A problem shared is a problem halved. Talking about what you are having trouble with may well give you clarity on the issue that is holding you back. Pick someone that’s a good listener for this, you never know when you might get carried away. If you don’t want to talk then why not note down your issues on a sheet of paper or on your computer? This will help clarify any growing issues and help your mind to understand them, thus aiding in focus.

Give Yourself a Break

Ask yourself, would you be this hard on someone else? Don’t stress yourself out, put things in perspective for a moment and take 5. Go on, have a Kit Kat and dip it in a cup of hot cocoa whilst watching your guilty TV pleasure. If you are working to a deadline this may not be possible. But you always have time to remind yourself that you are perfectly capable of achieving your goals, both minor and major ones. And remembering not to kick yourself if you make a mistake or work too slowly, it’s all one big learning curve. Sometimes the curve may seem bigger than others, that’s just the way it is. Realise how much easier it would be if you just gave yourself a break from time to time.