Hitting the Wall

Overcoming procrastination and other setbacks in life.

I hit the wall.
I can’t overcome it.
I’m stuck.
The problem overwhelms me.
I feel fear.

The Situation:

• You automatically forget about the past. All is forgotten.
• You automatically forget about the future. Nothing further matters to you anymore.
• Everything needs to be fast now. (Your brain is in limbic mode.)
• You concentrate on the present. Fight or Flight are the only alternatives you have.
• If you don’t decide to fight, you will flight.

Mainly you choose flight to survive.

Flight means lesser stress than fighting and the likelihood of survival is greater.
Your programmed for flight. (You are the product of millions of years of evolution.)
Or procrastinate.

Emergency

In reality:
I’m in an emergency state.
I don’t have alternatives.
I’m blocked.

Todo’s:

• Breath.
• Calm down.
• Slow down. (Activate your prefrontal cortex)
• Think.
• Generate and asses alternatives.
• Be creative.
• Then decide.
• Choose a decision which is better then the the two options fight of flight, or the least action: death, hence suicide.

When the task needs to be done, learn your way through it.

Creativity is generating alternatives.
Creativity is rewarding.
Creativity is a very satisfying endeavor.
Creativity makes you happy, because you are in the “zone”.
You will be tremendously satisfied with a creative solution rather than a “have-to” solution.
Satisfaction boosts emotions.
Boosts your morale.

Apollo off the trajectory.

Don’t worry.

The Apollo moon landing was 90% of the time off the trajectory.
Don’t be afraid of deviations.
Correct your path throughout the journey.
Apollo achieved its mission successfully despite of being 90% off the trajectory all the time.
Think of cycling. Keeping momentum means adjusting the handlebar all the time.

Genuine creativity will heal any condition you are in.
The creative generation of choices is the key to happiness.
Not even a shrink can help you, if she can’t provide you with alternatives of action.
The next action you choose is the next step forward.

Long distance runner hitting the wall.

When the only alternative is to fight or flight:
A long-distance runner feels, when she hits the wall in a race.
You have thoughts of giving up, hence flight.
The only solution is to forget about the past miles or how to finish the race (hence, the future).

Be in the present.

All these feelings will trace you more down.
The solution is to think about the present and the next step you take forward to (most importantly) stay in the race.
If this means to slow down your pace for a while, than be it.
Remember, do everything to stay in the race.

Main Takeaways:

• Don’t be afraid of setbacks when you know your trajectory.
• Use creativity and play to boost your morale and live a happier life.
• Always be creative to stay in the race, my friend.