What To Do When The Universe Isn’t Cooperating

You’ve got a plan, a vision even.

It might be bold—say hitting the New York Times bestseller list.

Or finally breaking six or seven figures in your business.

Or maybe you’ve got more modest aspirations—like getting your first client in your new gig.

But it ain’t happening.

You’re doing everything you know how to do. And still—nada.

You’re starting to wonder if maybe it’s just you. Maybe you just don’t have what it takes.

Sound familiar?

We’ve all been there. Most of us more than once.

Feeling stuck. Anxious. Like we’re burning daylight, but not knowing how to get UNstuck.

And it feels…bad.

Spirally bad.

Like we can’t live our dream, like we’re unworthy, like we’ll never grasp that ring just dangling in front of us (even as we watch others do it so effortlessly)…

So how do you get out of the muck?

First, you breathe. Breathe like that’s your only job in the world. And with each (deep) exhale, remind yourself that you’re worthy. That the world needs your talents, your passions, your one-of-a-kind gifts.

And that just because you can’t see how it’s all going to come together, doesn’t mean that it won’t turn out exactly as it should.

Keep breathing until you literally feel all three of those things (psychologists call it self-soothing).

And then, go get yourself an ice cream. Or go for a bike ride. A stroll outside. Anything to get you out of your head and into your body and its small pleasures.

Because when you’re just smacking your head against the wall, it’s time to give yourself a break.

None other than Oprah herself (and who could ever fault her as an under-achiever?) was stuck when she just couldn’t find her way into her dream role in “The Color Purple”. She finally said a small prayer and gave it over to the universe. The call from Spielberg came shortly after.

Will that happen for you? It could be that simple. Maybe you’ve done all that you can and it’s time to give it up to the universe (and move on).

Or perhaps you need to keep doing what you’re doing, continuing to work toward a break-through. Let’s face it—“instant” break-throughs rarely happen in a vacuum, but are the product of intense focus and plenty of hard work.

Or maybe it’s time for a pivot.

The thing is, you won’t know until you can calm the beast inside your head that says you’re unworthy (if you need help slaying this dragon, read everything Steven Pressfield has to say about resistance in The War of Art.)

So please. Give yourself a break. Clear your head.

And then tackle the universe.

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