How to Get Unstuck: Lessons on Moving Forward That You’ll Love

How do you know that you’re ready for a change? Listen to what Tyrion Lannister has to say…

Everyone I know is talking about the latest Game of Thrones season to air this week. While I am far from catching up on the series, I did come across this video of Tyrion Lannister, a.k.a. Peter Dinklage talking about how he decided to leave a safe, comfortable job to chase after the life he wanted.

His message:

Don’t wait for the world to tell you that you are ready.

That’s what I want to talk to you about today here – being ready. First, though I’d like to introduce myself.

If you are an avid fan of the magazine, you may have recognized my name from some the articles I’ve written such as Arianna Huffington, Rachel Faller, Mallika Dutt – and more.

It’s been an awesome privilege to get to know and write about these amazing people. I’ve been with Change Creator Magazine from the start in some capacity. When Adam first reached out to me it was to edit the very first issue of the magazine (the one with Jake Orak on the cover). From there, I’ve been a sounding board for Adam, an editor, a writer, and more. It’s an exciting journey.

But until recently, my role with Change Creator was more of the behind-the-scenes-I’m-here-if-you-need-me kind of role, which suited me just fine. I’ve been busy growing my own business as well and sometimes you just can’t do it all. But recently, Adam approached me with some exciting ideas on how to scale up Change Creator magazine and I just couldn’t say no. There just isn’t anyone doing exactly what we want to do out there. How could I pass it up?

So, here I am. I’ll talk a lot more about my role around here, what I bring to the table, the campaigns we’re working on in upcoming posts, but let’s get back to my original thought for this post.

What do you do when you know you need to move forward, but just can’t?

Feeling stuck — that’s okay, too.

Many of you out there are stuck. While I’m not advocating quitting your job today, I do think we all need to think about those things that make our life full and figure out a way to get there. Talking to many social entrepreneurs, there are some themes that keep coming up. One theme amongst people who start social enterprises is this: They don’t wait for a solution; they find one instead.

Don’t wait for the perfect time to do something new.

Are there problems in the world that need solutions? You bet.

Do you have to solve all of them today? No, of course not.

Sometimes our need to change the world becomes overwhelming – there are a lot of problems with the systems, governments, and leaders of the world. We all know that. Anyone who is aware, well-read can easily become burdened with the issues out there, so what’s a Change Creator to do?

How to get unstuck: Get something done.

This is the advice I tell myself when I get stuck and feel overwhelmed: Just get something done. It might not be something revolutionary or life-changing, but just accomplishing something off my list leads to victory. Too often, we overthink the next steps in our life without just moving forward, right? We’ve all been stuck down that rabbit hole where we plan, plan, and then strategize. That can be such a comfortable place to stay, especially as an entrepreneur – or anyone trying to do something that hasn’t been done before.

When we are stuck in that overwhelming cycle of strategy, the only thing that will break through is action.

Just make a decision. Do something.

For example, as I’m sitting here writing this blog, I haven’t told you that I have several other drafts all open on my computer. Why? I really wanted my first official blog for Change Creator to be something monumental, life-changing, worthy of the awesome experience I’ve received reading and working on this magazine.

I also run a successful content-focused agency of my own and put a lot of pressure on myself daily to produce effective content for my clients. If a piece of content doesn’t get traction, leads, or traffic, I take that personally. I have all the tools, the know-how, and the goods to produce quality, effective content – so why am I stalling?

I can tell you why I have so many drafts started. That idea that we have to always create the “perfect” product before we can begin. That idea that we have to have all our ducks in a row before we can start quacking – or in my case, writing. Sometimes, my friends, we have to just get out there – it might not be perfect, or even good, but we have to start somewhere.

Peter didn’t start out as a Lannister…

Listen to Peter Dinklage’s speech again. When he made the decision to quit his “safe” job and become a working actor, the success didn’t come all at once. He took a lot of roles — a lot. It wasn’t easy, or comfortable; he didn’t make millions overnight. That is the reality of success for most of us. It takes time, but it starts with action – that one decision that today will be different, that there’s no going back.

When I started my business, it wasn’t because I wanted to become a millionaire or even a famous writer. Nope. Much like Peter, I started my business because I had no other option. I had to make the decision that I was either going to be a paid, working writer or… there simply was no other option.

I’ll share my story much more with you all here at Change Creator. Let’s just say that for me and my fellow Lannister friend, it all worked out in the end.

Related: How to fully commit to your idea

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