When you're pursuing a thrilling vision for your life, inevitably, you will encounter resistance, frustration and struggle. It can be paralyzing at times. Getting stuck is part of of the journey. In this episode I'll talk about the truths you need to know about struggle, the mindset you need to overcome them and 6 practical steps to take to get unstuck.
Song of the Week: Rise Up - Andra Day
Truth's About Struggle
-The struggle you're in, is not the whole picture.
-Struggles are like the seasons, spring always comes after winter. Mountains are always near valleys.
-Struggles reveal problems that need our attention. They provide clarity and protection from bigger problems.
-They are an essential part of your growth journey. With the right perspective, they make you better, wiser and stronger.
Mindsets That Keep You Stuck
I'm a Victim: "Why can't things be easier for me?" "Why am I so unlucky?" "I must be fundamentally flawed."
Comparison: "Things come so easily for other people." "Other people are more talented and better than me." "Why can't I seem to get it right when all these other people are killing it?"
6 Steps to Getting Unstuck
1. Change your Environment 2. Get Physical 3. Find Inspiration 4. Tell Someone 5. Get a Quick Win 6. Don't Miss the Learning Opportunity
The Benefits of Struggling
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole.
Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. Then the man decided to help the butterfly, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened!
In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings.
It never was able to fly.
What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. And we could never fly.
The Rut Manifesto
There has been an assault on my mind and spirit. I feel defeated, ineffective, like a failure, like a fraud. I'm slipping.Why do I feel this way? My opportunities haven't changed. In fact, if I take action, I can find more than I ever have before. My abilities haven't changed. In fact, I'm growing and learning more everyday. I will not be paralyzed by doubt! I will not give in to fear by clinging to what I already have! I will boldly charge ahead toward new opportunities!I may feel like a failure, but I know that victory will be mine if I keep pressing forward. I know that the more I generously give to others, the more I will be compensated. I will not settle for mediocrity! If fear, doubt and failure visit me again, they will immediately be kicked out. When I face challenges and difficulties, I may get knocked down but I will always get up, stronger and smarter than before. I am a force to be reckoned with! I will never give up! I will always bounce back. I have decided, today I will victorious!
