How To Get UnStuck - Easy, Simple, Effective Tools To Finding A New Path

By Camille Strate

It's a bold new world out there. More people are looking for options to make money, live simpler lives, explore new paths, etc. What's the reason for all this unrest? Maybe it's because the globe is smaller; with the ever-growing use of technology we are now able to communicate with people on the other side of the planet with ease and speed. Maybe it's about a paradigm shift. Folks are getting hip to the "New Age" movement and want more from life in general. Or perhaps it's simply something about the way the planets are aligned! Who knows?

Bottom line is, if you're feeling restless and itching to make some changes, but still haven't DONE anything about it, then you're "stuck". While there are a great many things you can do to get "unstuck"., here are just a couple that are simple, easy, and effective.

First off, get yourself outdoors. I mean it. Go out and sit on a beach or walk in the woods or hike up a mountain. Turn off your cell phone, leave your watch on your dresser and just go. Take in the sounds of nature and let your mind go. For some folks, this exercise can be a bit unnerving at first, but if you stick with it, it's your ticket to getting "unstuck". The more remote your location, the better. Best of all would be to be in a spot that's completely void of other humans (and the noises they make like car alarms and cell phones and screaming children). Once there you will be absolutely amazed at what you might hear. We all have an inner "guidance system" and the best way to access that guidance system is to get away from all the noise and all the people and all the distractions.

Listen to the sounds of your surroundings. Birds or waves or rain on the leaves or whatever it might be. Allow these sounds to massage your ears. Allow yourself to just BE. Listen to you gut. Trust that you're safe. Leave the rest of your brain clutter behind and just soak it all in. The more you s-t-r-e-t-c-h, the better off you are. Go on....turn off the computer and get your Self outdoors. Come on! Just try it.

Another little "exercise" is one of my faves and I use it with many of my clients when I hear dialog like "I can't..." or "I don't know how..." or "But what if....?" These are phrases that KEEP us stuck and they need to be eliminated NOW. So, here's what I suggest:

If you have a camera, no matter where you live (city, country, condo, ranch, whatever), take your camera and go for a walk. I usually suggest folks commit to an hour, but it can certainly be more if you like. Point is to take a LEISURELY walk and snap some pics of things that stand out.
It could be a flower growing out of the sidewalk or a candy wrapper on an otherwise pristine lawn or a bright red maple leaf sitting alone on a car hood. Doesn't matter. Just something that catches your eye because it IS out of place. Don't judge. Don't presume. Just walk and keep your eyes open . Snap a picture of whatever catches your glance.

Once you've taken 10 or so pictures, go home, load them onto your computer and then write something about how you felt when you took the pic OR how you feel while you now look at it on your screen. The idea is to step outside (literally and figuratively) and see what else your eyes see. Sort of the difference between sight and vision. This exercise has proven to be one of the most effective (with my clients) tools for finding a new way of THINKING. It also seems to light some fires of creativity on many levels. People are always surprised at the end results once they've tried this for the first time, and often it becomes a habit for them when they ARE feeling stuck. Give it a try. It's fun!

The last suggestion I'll share is one that takes a bit more time and requires transportation, but is also a very liberating exercise. First, pack a cooler with some sandwiches, drinks, fruit, etc. Throw a blanket and warm jacket in the car. TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE (you may like to take it with you in case of 'emergency', but turn that sucker off!). Now, put the cooler in the car, go fill up the gas tank and just DRIVE. Drive out of town away from traffic and familiar scenery.
Drive up to the mountains or down to the river or out to the country. Just drive. Leave the tunes turned off, open the window and JUST DRIVE. When you get to a spot that looks too pretty to pass, pull over, break out the cooler and have yourself a little picnic. Just you and nature. Sit for an hour or so and take it all in. (if you remembered your camera, take some pictures). When you've had your fill, get in your car and go home. Simple? You betcha. But when was the last time you did it? When was the last time you drove just to drive, with no destination or schedule or task to accomplish? As silly as this may sound, it is a wonderful thing to do and it will provide lots of insight, if you ALLOW it.

I realize that none of these little exercises are deeply profound or even new ideas. But more often than not it's the simplest things that have the most life-altering affect. And I'm willing to bet that the majority of folks have forgotten what it's like to do any of these things. Simple, easy, and effective. IF you will give them a try.

Camille Strate is an author, critter-keeper and entrepeneur who has spent her life in search of the perfect pasture. She is a staunch believer in the "Pay It Forward" philosophy, and her business is a reflection of this belief. Marketing Personal Development products is one of her passions; she loves seeing other people empower themselves and find their true paths. Her latest book, "Whispers" will be released sometime in Spring of 2008.
http://www.genuineintentions.com or visit my blog at http://joyizachoice.blogspot.com/