Taking Action and Changing Your Luck When You Feel Tired, Stuck, or Unmotivated

We've all gone through periods when we felt tired, stuck, or unmotivated.  Your energy is down, and simply getting through each day may feel like a challenge.  Pushing yourself to take action during these times can be difficult, yet this is often precisely what's needed to start turning things around.   
 
In her book I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was, Barbara Sher emphasizes the importance of action when you're feeling stuck.  She also makes the connection between action and luck.  In short, your willingness to take some type of action directly influences the amount of good luck that comes your way.
 
Sher provides four good reasons for taking action, even when you're unclear about what you want or feeling unmotivated. 

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1.  Action will help you think.
 
Reflection, introspection, and contemplation all have their place.  However, engaging in real life experience through action brings an additional element into the mix.  Actively engaging with the world around you always leads to feedback of some sort.  Even when this feedback appears less than positive, it's still useful.  It's information you can use to help you clarify your thinking beyond what contemplation and weighing theoretical factors can provide.
 
 
2. Action raises your self-esteem.
 
Lack of action leads to a drop in self-esteem and morale.  Whereas when you take action and do something, you feel energized and proud of yourself.  Even if things don't go perfectly or turn out as expected, the process of taking action is strengthening and transformative in and of itself.   Always remember that high self-esteem comes after action, not before.
 
 
3. Good luck happens when you're in action.
 
Planning is important, but it's only a starting place.  The real benefits start to pour in when acting on your plan gets you out in the world, doing something new and meeting new people.  This creates space for things to happen through new information, new contacts, and new opportunities.  You gain exposure and wind up exploring new directions you never could have anticipated.
 
 
4. Action prepares you and positions you for what lies ahead.
 
Sometimes, even though you don't realize it at the time, you need an intermediate step to prepare you for something that lies ahead.  Even if an action seems small or unrelated to your larger goals, it may be vital in preparing and positioning you for something you'll encounter later on down the road.  (You can often see clearly how the pieces fit together in hindsight.)
 
Where to start?  Don't be afraid to start small; every journey starts with a single step.  Select something realistic to do, something you genuinely feel capable of and at peace with.  At the same time, allow that it might feel a little bit uncomfortable or challenging, especially if it's something unfamiliar. 

​The smallest action has the potential to set things in motion, and it just might serve as the catalyst to start bringing some good luck your way!