As fitness professionals, we know that the body fights for a state of homeostasis. This is true from our body temperature to our weight. From our glucose levels to our immune system. But perhaps we stay in homeostasis in our careers, too. Are we stuck? Is it complacency? Is it fear? Or do you just not know what’s next? Or how to get there? While our body might want to stay the same, our human spirit continues to want to grow.

If you are in your dream job, getting paid what you desire and feeling totally satisfied, then read no further. For the rest of us, let’s see what we need to do to move forward.

First, think about what has been holding you back. Baby elephants used to be trained by tying a thin rope around their foot and attached to a stake in the ground. As they got older, they assumed that they were still held back and didn’t realize that they could easily break the string. They think the rope is holding them back and so they never try to break free. What is holding you back? A parent’s voice in your head? Fear of failure? Are you stuck in a cycle of blaming and complaining? It’s time to break the rope and move forward. It’s time to create the life you want to live.

So, what do you want to do? What’s next for you? What would make you excited to come to work every day? Think about what you love. Think about what you are good at. Think about what the world needs more of. Do not narrow your opportunities to the tracks you have seen before. Your next opportunity may be something totally new, totally unique. Give yourself some space to daydream, to really feel what it is you want. This thought process does not need to be limited to your career. Think about your relationships. Your health. Your dreams.

Here are 5 action steps you can take if you are tired of feeling stuck and are ready to move forward:

1) Create a vision board. Before you poo poo it, let me alert you that successful people like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jim Carey, Kerry Walsh, Katy Perry and Beyonce all swear by the power of visualization and vision boards. It doesn’t matter if you get artsy and cut out images from a magazine or create a digital board on Pinterest. What matters is that you get clear on what you want, what you want to have, what you want to do, who you want to be, how you want to feel. A vision board alone won’t change your life, but it will help program your brain for success. The more you see it and get clear on it, the more your brain becomes aware of opportunities to take you to your goal.

2) Change your environment. Sometimes we feel stuck because we are stuck in the same physical environment. When you feel in a funk or stuck, change your space. Physically, get outside. Change your surroundings. A nostalgic place can change your state. A novel new environment can change your state. Dance. Exercise. Move. Sometimes just playing music can be enough to change your state.

3) Success leaves clues. Chances are that someone has done what you want to do (or something similar to it). Approach each day as an opportunity to learn and lessen your own learning curve. Listen to a podcast. Read a book. Take an online course. Go to a conference. Join a mastermind. Interview someone who has done what you want to do. People are achieving success quicker than ever because we know better how to get there.

4) Take action every day. We tend to live our days based on what we have to do and react to what’s put in front of us. I want you to take some action every single day towards your goals. I call it my Power 3. I do three things each day to move me towards my goal. For example, if I want my new book to be a best seller, I do three things to move me towards that goal. I ask to be on a podcast. I ask for a review. I put myself out there. I want to ask, ask, ask. Put yourself out to be rejected. If you don’t ask, you are in the same position as if you got a no.

5) Stretch yourself. As fitness professionals, we understand the benefits of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Do the same in your life. When it comes to your goals, do the things you don’t want to do because they will get you where you want to go. Go to the networking event even though you are tired. Wake up earlier or stay up later to move yourself forward on your goals. If you are waiting for your results to magically show up, think again. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

Moving forward is a choice. You need to decide where you want to go and take that step. You need to move the obstacles that get in your way. You need to be persistent. The time is now. Propel yourself forward!