Stuck and Not Sure What to Do? Five Questions to Help You Reframe and Take Action

Within our leadership development initiatives and coaching projects, we spend time helping participants to reframe and get unstuck. The message is always the same . . . rather than spending time complaining about the current situation or wishing it were something different, empower yourself to move forward with positive action. The five questions noted below work like magic . . . they shift your mindset from one of victim to victor over the current situation.

1. What do you want?

In other words, what is your vision? Use your imagination and push yourself to think beyond what is to what could be. If you want something different, you have to focus on what it is you want, not where you are right now.

2. What are you learning?

Those situations that challenge you the most truly do provide the greatest opportunity to learn something about yourself. Through the recognition of growth within the situation, the challenge suddenly becomes more meaningful and you are provided with greater confidence to move forward.

3. What support is available to you?

You are not alone. Regardless of how isolated you may feel, there is always support if you are willing to open your eyes and ask for it.

4. What’s working well?

Be gentle with yourself and remember that you are doing the best you can with what you have where you are. Give yourself credit for the progress you have made, and continually look for ways to leverage your strengths.

5. What can you do to influence the situation?

Given your answers to all of the previous questions, you are ready to take action. While there will certainly be things that are not possible for you, there is always something you can do. Continue to focus on where it is you can influence the situation (regardless of how small the action may be) and watch your vision come to life.

Image: Asif Akbar