Reconnect, refocus, reshape: Coaching for new beginnings

Feeling stuck is more commonplace than you might expect. It happens to people in all walks of life, and while it may not look like it, that super productive, always on the ball and massively successful person at work might well be feeling as trapped as you.

People usually suffer in silence when feeling stuck, but instead of treating it like a secret, what if it were considered a signal that it’s time for something in your life to shift? 

Feeling stuck could be the sign that you need to;

• Reconnect with yourself. When were you last fully present with yourself? Are you living a life aligned with your values? How’s your self-care routine?
• Refocus your mindset and gain clarity. Which thought patterns, beliefs, and behaviours no longer serve you, yet still play a big role in your life? Do you know what it is that you want?
• Reshape your path. Do you feel as though you’ve drifted off course? Are you feeling lost and only certain that you’re not where or who you want to be?

Feeling stuck can manifest in several different ways;

• feeling unfulfilled at work.
• going through the motions in life.
• struggling to make decisions.
• feeling disconnected.
• feeling powerless or hopeless.

Remember that feeling stuck is a symptom, not the root cause. This is part of the problem; feeling stuck is so demotivating, it can be hard to find what’s driving the feeling. While you’re busy just going through the motions, there’s no energy or emotional space left to stop and look at what’s happening. 

These are feelings that many of us go through at least once in our lives, and it’s completely normal. Sometimes specific life events occur which trigger these feelings;

• burnout
• career changes
• relocation
• relationship shifts
• a ‘milestone’ birthday
• witnessing someone you know make changes in their life

Other times, there isn’t an obvious trigger; it’s a nagging feeling that grows over time, getting stronger until you’re acutely aware of the need for change, even if you don’t know what that is. Your inner compass is telling you you’re heading in the wrong direction. Your inner compass will be pointing towards your values, the things that truly matter to you and make you shine, pointing towards your true path, encouraging growth and fulfilment.

How can coaching help with feeling stuck?

A life coach is a professional who will provide you with a safe and non-judgmental space to explore in depth what’s going on for you. You can cut through any pressure that you might feel to be ‘fine’ elsewhere, and genuinely be you. This is your opportunity to openly talk about what you truly want and dream of, and gain clarity over what your goals mean to you and what matters to you.

When you understand your goals, the whats, whys and hows, you gain a deeper knowledge of yourself. Coaching offers you the space to dive deep into your own wisdom. 

A coach will use powerful questioning, encourage clarification and bring in accountability. 

If you’re unfamiliar with coaching, here are a few of the things that you can expect in sessions:

• rediscover what matters most to you.
• identify your innermost limiting beliefs.
• be heard, valued and encouraged to dive deep.
• explore new perspectives and possibilities with support.
• develop strategies and break overwhelming tasks into achievable steps.
• build confidence and momentum.
• coaching focuses on you, and so the techniques you learn are personalised to your individual needs, so you take away the most effective and impactful set of mental and emotional tools.

You don’t have to have it all figured out, and if you’ve been following a plan that isn’t turning out how you expected, you can change it. Make a new one. You’re allowed to change your mind, you just need to take one small step at a time. Accept that small corrections or complete rewrites can be part of the journey.

Most important of all, remember that feeling stuck doesn’t have to be permanent; it’s signalling the start of something new. If you’re not sure where the change needs to be or what you want, consider working with a life coach to help you get back on track.