The generic steps to getting unstuck on most things.

Finding out exactly where one is stuck and how to overcome it with an experienced mentor

The Generic Steps to Getting Unstuck on Most Things

You probably guessed it, the one thing that kills most of our time is getting stuck. A coder spends a lot of time stuck on an error or bug. A student spends a lot of time stuck on a difficult question or a troubling issue in school or at home. A businessman spends a lot of time stuck trying to acquire a key resource or figure out the right strategy. Even relationships can get stuck due to issues that multiple parties cannot agree on resolving. The list goes on. As long as people are trying to get from point A to point B, they are often stuck somewhere in between.

So, what are the generic steps to getting unstuck?

1. Be Clear About the Goal

   • Where are you currently at (Point A)? Where do you want to go exactly (Point B)? If you can't tell an experienced driver clearly where you are heading, he can't drive you there. You can't go to two places in one trip, especially if they are in different directions or in conflict regarding the necessary resources. List down all your goals, group goals that are in alignment together, and separate goals that are in conflict. Prioritize your goals.
     

2. Recognize Exactly Where You Are Stuck

   • We may know the business is not scaling, the program is not running as expected, or our academic results are not improving as expected. However, figuring out exactly what causes us to get stuck may not be immediate. We need to scan our code for bugs/errors or identify the problem areas/impediments in our business or studies to figure out what is causing us to get stuck. Write down your expectations when you started the journey from Point A to Point B versus the reality you are experiencing now. Then, list down the major impediments/challenges in getting from A to B.
     

3. Brainstorm Solutions

   • For each impediment/challenge, brainstorm solutions. List out all the ideas you have for overcoming the problem. Ask experts. One avenue for finding experts is the internet (Google).
     

4. Prioritize Testing and Implementation of the Solutions

   • If you have ten ideas on how to get unstuck, consider each of them carefully. Visualize the process of implementing each solution and ask yourself how you feel about implementing each one. Imagine if you did this, what is likely to happen next? Imagination does not always match reality, especially if you have no real experience on the matter. Therefore, there is value in getting someone experienced to guide you. Weigh the cost versus benefits and identify the risks, regardless of what methods you are thinking of trying.
     

5. After You Are Unstuck, Record How You Got Unstuck

   • Don't let the experience of how to get unstuck be wasted. Value it, share it on social media and forums. Use your experience to help people with the same problem get unstuck. If it is Mathematics you are stuck with, I'm here to help. Visit www.h2math.com to book a free 30 mins trial lesson today.