Sometimes we go through periods in our lives that feel idle. Idle minds. Neutral energy that’s stagnant, frustrating, lethargic or just plain ‘ole confusing. Ever been there?

Like a car, sitting in neutral is fine for a brief time, but we aren’t designed to just live our lives there. Neutral is a place to sit while we are pondering, waiting or taking a break, but not to dwell. Long periods without inspiration, decision, movement and gusto drain our batteries. Often, people get stuck in this place and need to rev up their engines to jump back into the game of life.

You know that saying “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop” (yes, I’m from the south but it is a good analogy). To sit for too long on any decision, dream or risk is not a good thing. The stagnation settles into our spirit and creates all kinds of compulsions, obsessions, mental hiccups and even fears. To get out of neutral, you’ve got to switch gears. Get into your life again, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Usually that uneasy feeling is just “stickiness” from stuck energy. You know how it feels when you haven’t flown in an airplane in years? The next time you do it, those uncomfortable feelings come back, like the very first time you flew. If you fly everyday, your system is lubed and that sticky energy is nowhere to be found. It takes movement to loosen stuck energy. Action and repetition.It takes boldness and honestly, just doing it. Don’t try to gently slide back into your life – get revved up. Kick it into gear fast and go. Do the exact opposite of what your idle brain is telling you to do. Depending on how long you’ve been in neutral, your brain is a mosh-pit of mental confusion and negative chatter, so don’t listen to it beyond reason.

One definition of neutral says: “Having no inherent or net charge, especially electric charge.” Now, how in the world are you going to accomplish your God-given dreams, your purpose, without some kind of charge? Use your energy. Put the pedal to the medal and go for it. You will only get out of neutral with action. Make that call. Clean out your closets. Start that company. Ask him over for dinner. Get a new hairstyle (it works). Take your first run in 15 years. Sign up for the dance class. Say YES to opportunities. With one full motion, put your hand on the gear shift, put your foot to the pedal and just do it.