Business paralysis occurs when we know what we have to do in our business – we can see the results we want, but we just can’t bring ourselves to take the steps toward it. Either we make up excuses, or we just procrastinate. Sometimes, the reason for feeling paralyzed is clear, and other times, it’s a subtle subconscious block causing the problem.

Business paralysis can happen because you’re lacking the confidence to complete the task, you need more information to finish the task, or you’re comparing yourself to other businesses and feeling like you just don’t measure up. Another cause of business paralysis can be unwelcome negative comments from someone else. Sometimes we have a friend or family member who tells us the exact opposite of what we need to hear. Negativity from other people can undermine your confidence and your efforts, and can keep you stuck.

Here are four ways to banish business paralysis. Sometimes, you’ll be able to banish the paralysis with just one technique. Other times, you may need to employ more than one, or all of the techniques, depending on your reason for being stuck. It’s ok if you can’t break through it right away. Don’t feel pressured to get through it quickly – it can take time.

1. Journaling is a great way to help you look at yourself, the situation, and yourself in the situation. If you’re feeling stuck journal around these questions: what am I trying to accomplish? Why do I want so badly to accomplish this? Am I making excuses, and if so, what are my reasons for not moving forward? Is my confidence feeling low, and if so, what is at the root of that feeling? Can I pin-point how and when my paralysis started? By answering these questions and then taking some time to free-write, you can gain new perspective on your situation.

2. Talking about the situation with someone is another excellent way to break through business paralysis. When you approach someone about the issue, be clear about whether you just want to vent, or if you want their opinion on a solution. It can be frustrating when someone offers solutions or opinions when you don’t necessarily need them. Sometimes, talking about your situation out loud can give you a new perspective.

3. Walking away from the activity that you’re procrastinating can help you gain fresh perspective. Sometimes, taking a walk, going shopping, or just reading for pleasure are great ways to open your mind. When you step away from the task, be sure and stay focused on the present moment – take your mind completely off the situation. Giving your mind a break will help you open up to new ideas, or, it will help you see a new way of proceeding. Also, trying to stick with the situation when you’re feeling stressed or pressured may make the feeling of stress worse. The less pressure you feel, the quicker you’ll become unstuck.

4. If your stuck because your confidence is wavering, or because you’re comparing yourself to someone else, take some time to write down all of the wonderful things you’ve already created in your life. Or, take some time to think about the wonderful things that you’ve already accomplished. You can simply write a list of the great things in your life and your accomplishments, or pick 2 or 3 of them and take some time to relive the memories of those events. If someone close to you is talking to you in a negative way, it’s time to put a stop to it. Tell them that you will no longer engage in negative conversations with them. Remember, they are being negative because they feel they don’t measure up somehow – it actually has nothing to do with you.

Business paralysis happens to all of us from time to time, and it’s not always easy to work through. If you need extra help breaking through business paralysis, check out my Intuitive Business Readings.

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 23rd, 2007 at 7:58 pm and is filed under Strategy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.