Stuck in Neutral
“I believe my plans have become stale,” Ed’s message said. “I’m not sure if there is any strategy to help overcome this.”
Ed’s lament sounded familiar. After all, who hasn’t had an experience of feeling as if they’re stuck in neutral? But, Ed had decided, enough is enough.
For the past two years, Ed has been talking about moving to a mid-sized city in the South, a place holding his attention due to its vibrant community, lower cost of living and temperate climate. Yet, the real draw to that particular location is his family, already living there.
Ed's voice, usually a calm and steady baritone, was frayed with anxiety as we talked on the telephone moments later. “I can’t seem to make any progress!”
As Ed talked It became clear that there was something deeper not being acknowledged.
"I need to ask you something, and I want you to be honest with me," I started with trepidation.
"Sure, what is it?" he responded, with a note of acceptance in his voice.
"Why are you deciding not to move forward?"
There was a thoughtful silence on the other side of the phone call as Ed began to let the question resonate.
“Why have you been deciding not to move forward with your plan? You’ve been holding off for two years and based on your anxiety level it’s clear that you’re paying a high cost by living with such uncertainty. Don’t you think it is time to put an end to this? Tell me the reasons you decided to go forward a couple of years ago."
Ed took the next few minutes to rehearse the factors that caused him to create a new plan for his future.
“Have any of those compelling reasons changed?”
Ed responded firmly. “No!”
“Then it’s time for you to just get it done and finished!”
The feeling on the call changed instantly as soon as Ed’s intent had been refreshed. He began planning again on the spot. Most importantly, he began to act. The barriers he had identified earlier melted away instantly because he changed his thinking. He had shifted the gears in his mind from neutral to drive again.
It is impossible to live in “drive” all of the time. Sometimes a temporary shift to neutral is needed. After all, moving forward with purpose requires a solid plan based on intent. Ed just got stuck in neutral this time.
Ed discovered his sought-after strategy, to shift out of neutral, by simply reclaiming his “why.”
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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV in Northwest Arkansas. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as a real estate agent and Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.
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