Stuckkk
jasonleow • 4 Dec 2023 •
If you’re stuck for a long time, what do you do?
Maybe it’s a creative project.
Maybe it’s a problem at work.
Maybe it’s a tricky relationship issue.
Maybe it’s something as simple as solving a math problem.
Maybe it’s something as complex as solving world peace.
Maybe it’s something as mundane as fixing your washing machine.
Maybe it’s something as inspiring as fixing poverty.
Or something closer to home, to indie hacking:
Maybe it’s chancing on a cool idea,
Maybe it’s finding product-market fit.
Maybe it’s finding a marketing channel that’s scalable.
What do you do, anytime you’re stuck?
I’ve been stuck so long, I think I forgot how being unstuck feels like.
I mean, I’m making good progress with my shipping streak on Github. I’m almost done with Lists Kit. Beta soon, or even soft launch. But yet, I still feel like I’m pushing a boulder uphill every day. It’s a daily fight.
I’m moving, but I still feel stuck. At the core.
What do you do? What can I do?
Brainstorming a bit:
- How I’ve always done it: Ship more. More products, More features. More marketing. Ship till you get unstuck.
- What I’ve seldom tried but heard it works: Stop. Just. STOP. Take a break. Go on vacation. Or do nothing. Or do anything other than what you’re stuck with. Go take a walk. Swim in the sea. Sketch. Anything.
- Work on something else, a side project. Anything that’s not the project that you’re stuck with. Sometimes moving tangentially helps, through inspiration via analogy.
- Self care. Sometimes the body/mind/soul silently protests, and you had no idea it was happening. Just that nothing is moving. It protests as a protective mechanism. So self care helps. It isn’t always about massages, scented candles and all. Sometimes self care is just cooking a nice wholesome meal for yourself. Sometimes it’s just sleeping in. Sometimes it’s just doing nothing over the weekend. It doesn’t have to be dramatic or huge. Oftentimes, the littlest things are the best type of self care, because those things are first to go when you forget about self care.
- Get curious. Let your curiosity lead you. Anything. Anywhere. Play and fun is the first mover.
What else do you do to get unstuck?
Comments
For me getting unstuck means limiting choices. If I’m stuck it’s usually decision paralysis at work.
@drodol I can relate to being too hard on oneself. Same here. I should definitely do more walks. I always say I should but I don’t.
@Winkletter Hmm counterintuitive but very true, especially regarding ideas to build.
If you want to start with daily walks, I can be your telegram bot and ask you everyday ;)
Self reflection is a very valuable tool.
All the bullet points from your brainstorm have worked me in the past.
Lately, I can say that going for a walk, and taking a vacation had a very positive effect. In regards to self care, I talked about how therapy had helped me greatly.
For me, I was being too hard on myself. Carrying a huge weight and responsibilities can take its toll. So self care, in whichever form, can balance things out.