What to do when you can’t lock in
I have been sitting at my computer letting my brain be stuck for over 20 minutes. I scrolled, I made a smoothie, I made coffee, then I just sat here.
Monday, I was a machine.
Yesterday, I was inspired.
Today, I’m tired, blurry, distracted.
So I’m going write about it instead of trying to fix it.
The first thing I do when I feel locked out of my brain is to go through Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
Here is a list of questions to ask yourself to identify what you need most and what might be holding you back right now.
Physiological Needs - Before productivity, check the organism
Have I eaten enough protein, water, or actual nourishing food today?
Am I overstimulated, under-rested, dehydrated, or physically uncomfortable?
Do I need movement, sunlight, fresh air, or quiet?
Is my nervous system asking for rest rather than forcing output?
Have I slept enough to think clearly?
Am I sitting in an environment that helps me focus?
What physical sensation do I notice most strongly right now?
If my body could ask for one thing before work, what would it be?
Safety Needs - The brain struggles to create when it feels uncertain or threatened.
What feels unstable in my life right now?
Is there an unresolved task or fear draining my attention?
Am I avoiding work because I’m afraid of failing, succeeding, being judged, or making the wrong choice?
Do I know what “enough” looks like for today?
What would make today feel safer or more manageable?
Am I overwhelmed because everything feels equally important?
What is the smallest concrete task I can complete in 10 minutes?
What structure or boundary would help me feel calmer?
Belonging & Connection — “Do I feel emotionally connected?”
Humans focus better when they don’t feel isolated.
Have I felt lonely, unseen, or disconnected lately?
Am I carrying an emotional conversation internally that’s distracting me?
Do I need encouragement, accountability, collaboration, or reassurance?
Who makes me feel grounded and understood?
Have I been spending too much time only inside my own head?
Is there someone I need to text, call, or reconnect with?
Am I trying to prove myself instead of support myself?
Esteem & Confidence — “Do I trust myself right now?”
Sometimes staring at the screen is a confidence problem disguised as a productivity problem.
What story am I telling myself about my capability?
Am I expecting perfection before beginning?
What am I afraid this work says about me?
Have I acknowledged any progress lately, or only what’s unfinished?
What would “good enough” look like here?
Where am I underestimating my own competence?
Am I waiting to feel ready instead of allowing myself to start messy?
If I trusted myself fully, what would I begin right now?
Self-Actualization — “What deeply matters to me?”
This is the layer of meaning, purpose, and alignment.
Does this work still connect to who I want to become?
Which tasks energize me versus drain me?
What kind of life am I actually trying to build?
What part of me wants expression right now?
Where do I feel most alive, curious, or creative?
What am I craving more of: freedom, impact, peace, mastery, play, recognition, service?
If I stopped performing and started aligning, what would change?
What would make today feel meaningful, not just productive?
Integration Questions — “What do I truly need right now?”
After moving through the layers, ask:
What is the real blockage: exhaustion, fear, confusion, loneliness, pressure, or lack of clarity?
What need has been ignored the longest?
What is one compassionate action I can take for myself in the next 15 minutes?
What would help me move from frozen to supported?
What do I need before I need motivation?
