What happens when you are stuck in a rut or not motivated at all?  First, realize that you are not alone. Everyone has experienced this at some point including me.  Here are seven tips to help you power through this phase and get moving.

1) Be honest

Acknowledge how you feel and give yourself permission to feel the way you do without judgment. Instead of hiding your true feelings, share them with your friends and family. It’s okay to say you are going through a rough patch. Make peace with where you are at and realize it’s just a phase. Maybe you can schedule a weekly lunch date, phone call or Skype with a pal to talk through your plans, ideas and goals.

2) Get social

Get out and spend time with other people. Hibernating in your house definitely won’t help with motivation. Make plans with friends, go to a networking event, schedule a date night with your significant other and set a coffee date with a vendor you have been wanting to meet.

3) Take action. Any action.

Even if a task doesn’t seem relevant to your goals, do something. Hire a coach, read a business book, take a personal development workshop, see a therapist, see a doctor for a complete checkup if you are feeling depressed, clean out your desk, organize your office, sign up for that class you have been wanting to take.

4) Forget about motivation

Happy productive people just get stuff done and don’t wait for motivation. Successful people do what they have to do whether they feel like it or not. To get a jump start, do a task that you can complete quickly so that you have instant gratification.

5) Ask why

Why are you doing what you are doing or trying to do what you are doing? If you don’t know the answer, it might be time to move in a different direction. The main reason you are stuck could be from lack of passion for what you are trying to accomplish.

6) Have gratitude

Take time to be thankful for the good things happening in your life right now. Write them down, send an email to one person thanking them for being in your life, write in a journal or call an old friend to catch up. Acknowledging the positive things in your life can help you get unstuck.

7) Take a break

You may just need time off and time away from everything to clear your head. Take a week or even a weekend away from everything including email and all social media. Refocus, relax, reflect and regroup.

Once you start getting unstuck, you may be surprised at how quickly things start to happen. Sometimes a small break through can lead to big success.  Have you ever felt “stuck”? If so, what did you do to get past it?