Have you ever looked at a project and felt paralyzed? Where do you start? How do you get moving? I sure have. Paralysis feels discouraging! Because I have felt that very feeling many times, I decided to think through what helps me. My prayer for you this, Monday morning is that if you’re feeling paralyzed, maybe I can help you get moving…one baby step at a time.

When I feel paralyzed the first thing I do is ask myself, “Do I want to do this?” Now that might seem like a silly question but honestly, I need to know if there’s a legitimate reason that I’m hesitating. Just like Jesus asked the man lying by the pool at Bethesda, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6). I need to look internally and honestly figure out do I want to do this and if so, why am I hesitating? After some introspection, I might find fear in my heart. Fear tells me I can’t accomplish whatever it is I’m trying to do. But, fear lies. God’s Word tells me, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13) If I want to do something I will be willing to move past my fear. Or, I might feel intimidated by the amount of time and work the new project is going to take. If I want to do something I will to figure out how to rearrange in my schedule in order to complete the project.

The second question I ask myself is, “What is my vision?” Another way to ask this question might be to ask myself, “What is my dream for this project or event?” Proverbs 29:18 in the King James Version says, “Without vision the people perish.” By asking myself what my vision is, I am able to paint a picture in my mind of what I am hoping to accomplish. For example, If I am setting out to write a chapter and am having a hard time getting motivated, It helps me to imagine what the end product will look like. Or, if I am getting a message ready to speak at a women’s event and am having a hard time getting started, I sit down and imagine the women coming to the event. I think about their needs and how I would like to encourage them. Creating a vision helps me to get motivated!

The third question I ask myself is, “What is one tiny thing I can do today to get started?” For me, this might be starting research to write a chapter or article. Or perhaps, it might be making a list of needs that the women attending a conference might have. For you, it might be different. Maybe you’re overwhelmed by emails you need to answer. Set your goal to answer three. Or maybe you feel overwhelmed by starting to spend time with God regularly. Start with just 15 minutes. Maybe it’s something as simple as feeling overwhelmed by your laundry. Do one load. Wash it. Dry it. Put it away. Then congratulate yourself. By taking a tiny baby step you’ll feel so much better.

All of us procrastinate and become paralyzed at times. But, by asking yourself these 3 questions you might just be able to get moving. Give it a shot this week and let me know how it works for you. I’d love to hear from you. When have you felt paralyzed by a project or event? What did you do to get moving?