Photo by Riggzy (flickr)

By: Katrina Pfannkuch

Sometimes we give it all we’ve got, and it still sucks. We are pushing ourselves so hard to meet a goal or deadline that we barely see through the mess ahead of us, and feel miles away from any sort of achievement. It happens. To everyone.

Frustration builds, the perspective isn’t there, passion is waning and there is nothing on the horizon to inspire you in a new direction. We all deal with it — these waves of success and fulfillment in our personal and professional lives. The real trick is being able to tell yourself when enough is enough, and truly let go of the shame and disappointment of not getting “there”. Wherever “there” is. 

There is real strength and bravery in looking at what’s broken and not being afraid to dig in to break up the dirt.  Really wiggle your fingers in it. Call in other people to take a peek and give their opinion. Open yourself up to the possibility of change and movement. Rethink the ideas that no longer support you, and seem to mock and taunt you unnecessarily. To realize it’s all part of the perpetual cycle of change. 

Nothing lasts forever, and thinking it can is what puts humans in a perpetual state of expectation that can never be completely fulfilled. This is where many of us get stuck, in the state of expectation for or against something.

No one can ever tell you what’s right for you, of course, but most of us barely even ask the question, “Is this right for me?”We force things forward, stressing ourselves out and pushing for something we think will solve all of our woes, while simultaneously bringing us bags of joy and money. And while not everyone is money motivated, the money question mark often drives us back to that old familiar stand-by trigger– safety and security. And this is where many people are spinning, stuck between a state of safety and true, heart-felt desire. 

Taking risks is not a well thought out road map. It’s situational; a feeling, an impulse. Calculated risk is only for bankers and government institutions. If you want to get to the real meat of it all, you need to ask yourself the right questions, to be willing to admit when things totally SUCK and need to change. And then actually take some possibly risky steps to change it. 

The most important thing to hold close to your heart is the idea that you are not broken. You are not something that needs to be fixed, but a fully capable, fabulous person ready to move to something more fulfilling, effective and closer to your heart. And, as with every cycle, it may be time to say a long-needed goodbye to things that hold you in a pattern of suspension, feeling like you are stuck in a hammock atop the highest trees on the planet with no way down. 

It’s time to do it differently…are you ready? I would love to hear from you if you’ve recently made a change, big or small, or are thinking about making one now.