By Linda Feinholz

Have you ever had the experience of putting a great plan together and then realizing you’re not making the progress you assumed you would?

I’ve been coaching my entrepreneurial and small business clients through that very stall-out point for years. I’ve worked in businesses, large and small, managed them, and consulted to the entrepreneurs and business owners who are passionate about creating results and yet find themselves struggling in quicksand.

And one of the reasons I’m so good at getting people un-stuck is that I’ve lived there myself! I’ve had great practice getting stalled and getting going again. I’ve mastered it just like you master any sport you want to get great at.

Does this seem familiar? There are times where I start out clear sighted about my goal, I’ve mapped out the steps I’m going to use to get there, and set my targets so I’ll know I’m getting it all done.

For days, even weeks, I’m zooming along on all jets. I’m making progress worth bragging about. I believe it’s all smooth sailing.

And then one day I notice my anxiety level has been running high for days. I’ve been constantly feeling like, “I’m not getting anything done.” And I hear my inner voice justifying and rationalizing how I’m spending time when I’m actually mentally or literally walking around in circles.

Not only don’t I feel like bragging about my progress – I’m inventing stories that excuse why I’m not hitting the deadlines that seemed so simple only days ago.

I’ve found that there are usually just a few reasons for the stall out happening and once I know which it is this time, I can rapidly get back on track.

When I finally recognize that I’m creating a whirlpool in my office carpet, I sit myself down and check out the reasons.

Here are 4 reasons you may be stuck, and simple High Payoff solutions to get back on track:

1 - Identify if there is a problem with the Form, Content, or Timing of this effort
It’s a very common stumbling block to have our attention on one facet of a project when another actually needs our attention. Are you trying to get agreement by holding a discussion through emails? It may be that this item needs a single conversation by phone or in person so it can be sorted out and actions agreed to. If you’re sitting in meetings discussing the same thing multiple times, the content wasn’t set with a clear agenda. Or you may be holding the discussion before people have done their prep work and need more time to show up productively.

The Solution: Use the “Form, Content, Timing” Triad to identify what may need to be sorted out and changed.

2 - Notice when the hang up is caused by ‘over-working’
Your attention may become absorbed in one issue that’s very interesting to you when another actually needs to be solved first. I’ll let you in on a secret: Sometimes I’m like a laser and cut through all the distractions and get stuff done like a rocket. And at other times, I get lost in the ‘doing’ and dive in so deep I make it more detailed or complicated. I’m enjoying swimming in the material I’m absorbed with and 3 hours can just fly by. Only I budgeted 20 minutes to get it done!

The Solution: Create a written plan, even using your daily calendar, and refer to it every hour to see if you’re staying on track.

3 - Test out whether the hang up is due to an inner messenger
Sometimes we commit to taking action on something when we aren’t actually standing behind it. We don’t believe in it. Or we don’t believe it’s achievable. Or we have an instinct that something is being missed and it’s premature to take action on it. In every one of those circumstances, I find myself inventing interruptions and delays so that I don’t have to actually take action.

The Solution: Notice when you’re feeling tight and anxious and to probe what inner information may be trying to get your attention.

4 - Recognize if the stall out is due to external activities someone else controls
Very often our own progress depends on other people providing information or even a finished product in order for us to do our own part. We’ve set out own plans and we’re ready to do our part but don’t have anything to work on. Sometimes we’ve mis-estimated how long it really will take for the other person to complete their part and hand it off to us.

The Solution: Offer to help them along. And in the mean time have a High Payoff back up plan for what you’ll do with your time while you’re in the ‘wait’ mode.

© 2008 Linda Feinholz  Management expert, consultant, and coach Linda Feinholz is "Your High Payoff Catalyst" If you're ready to focus on your High Payoff activities, boost your professional and personal results and have more fun, get her FREE audio mini-course "7 Quick & Simple Steps to Increase Your Focus, Ease Your Effort & Accelerate Your Results" and the free weekly newsletter The Spark! Visit http://www.YourHighPayoffCatalyst.com