Most people suffer from mental roadblocks at some point. Whether you’re working on a professional task or dealing with personal issues, hitting a mental roadblock will stop you in your tracks and cause some serious problems.
I’m sure you’ve been there. You start out with enthusiasm to spare and a clear picture of what you want to achieve. Only to find yourself hitting a psychological wall and coming to a halt without a clue how to move forward.
So, how can you avoid mental roadblocks? Or, how can you get over them if you find yourself in that position scratching your head without a clue how to move forward?
Here are some tips to help you break through those mental roadblocks and get back on track with new creativity and enthusiasm:
What Are Mental roadblocks?
Mental roadblocks affect people in different ways and there can be a number of underlying causes. The results are always the same though – you hit a mental wall and can’t seem to figure out how to move forward.
It’s often referred to as being a prisoner of your own thinking. It may be that you are struggling with self-doubt, questioning your own decisions, or just can’t figure out a solution to a problem. The problem and solution lie within your own head, it’s a matter of knowing how to deal with it.
So, if you feel mentally “stuck” and have lost your creative flair, can’t solve a problem in front of you, or feel overwhelmed, it’s likely you’ve hit a mental roadblock.
Examples of Mental Roadblocks
Some examples of mental roadblocks include:
Self-Doubt
Self-doubt is one of the most common reasons people hit a mental roadblock. The moment you start second-guessing your own decisions and doubting yourself, you’re going to stop moving forward.
Feeling Overwhelmed
Having too many options and ideas can cause a mental block as easily as having too few options and ideas to work with. Feeling overwhelmed can cause a state of mental paralysis. If you’re trying to process too many possible outcomes, you can become confused and unable to focus on the one clear path you need.
Only Seeing the Short-Term
If you’re not seeing the results you’d hoped for or things aren’t progressing quickly enough on a project, it’s easy to hit a mental roadblock and lose sight of the end goal. You need to keep focused on the long-term plan to avoid getting sidetracked along the way.
How to Get over Mental Roadblocks
For the most part, mental roadblocks are unavoidable and even the most successful and creative people will face them from time-to-time. So, don’t feel down on yourself if you find yourself hitting that mental wall – it’s how you get over the hump that matters.
Here are some tips to help you get over mental blockages and get back to your most productive and creative self:
Work on Smaller Tasks First
If you’ve hit a mental roadblock due to feeling overwhelmed, you must take a methodical approach by handling smaller tasks first. This will help you start on whatever it is you’re working on again. As you complete the smaller tasks, you’ll complete the larger tasks and breakthrough your block.
Make Time to Meditate Daily
Meditation will help you relax both mentally and physically. It’s a great way to “declutter” your brain, reduce stress, and improve your focus. If you’ve hit a mental wall, try giving yourself a few minutes a day to meditate and you’ll increase your chance of overcoming the roadblock.
Take a Break
Some people just need a 30-minute walk outdoors. Some people need more strenuous physical exercise. For others, a vacation is the only way to release the mental blockage and reset. The important thing is to take a break from what you’re doing. See how you feel after a short break and find out what works best for you.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Have you ever heard the old saying, “A problem shared is a problem halved?” Sometimes talking through your problems or asking someone else for his or her opinion will shed new light on the problem. This may reveal a solution or an answer to whatever it is that’s putting that mental wall up in front of you.
Learn more about removing mental speedbumps and take back control of your creativity and productivity.