Getting Unstuck: Your Guide to Getting Going

Everyone hits a point where progress stalls, maybe in work, learning, or a personal project.

Feeling stuck is universal. Everyone hits a plateau at some point. Most people aren’t unambitious. They’re overwhelmed, unsure of themselves, and stuck in habits that are hard to change.

As Albert Einstein once said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Getting unstuck requires a shift in perspective and a willingness to act differently.

Feeling stuck isn’t just a thinking problem. It’s often emotional too. It can come with frustration, self-doubt, or a quiet sense of panic, which is exactly why it’s so hard to think clearly when you’re in it.

The good news? It’s possible. It starts with reflection, clarity, and deliberate action. In this post, you’ll discover practical steps to diagnose why you’re stuck, set a vision, take small but meaningful actions, and build momentum, so you can move forward with confidence.

Start by Asking Better Questions

The first step is understanding what’s really holding you back. Instead of sitting with vague unease, dig deeper. Be specific about what feels off, break the problem down (skills, environment, mindset, or something else), consider past attempts and constraints, and ask for outside perspectives.

If you notice yourself delaying or overthinking, it’s worth asking what you’re protecting yourself from. Avoidance is often less about motivation and more about fear of loss, whether it’s status, confidence, or how you see yourself.

When I was younger, I had several jobs - from hospitality to retail to admin. At one point, I was in a role I didn’t enjoy. I felt trapped but didn’t know what I wanted instead. Being open to anything created decision paralysis. Eventually, I asked, “What is the opposite of this?” I realized I wanted a role that was analytical, involved decision-making, and allowed me to focus narrowly but deeply. That insight gave me a clear direction.

Try this yourself. Write down one thing that frustrates you most in your current situation. Then ask, “What is the opposite of this?”

Clarify Where You’re Headed

Once you know what’s holding you back, you need a vision for where you want to go. Define a measurable, concrete goal. Like Google Maps, you need both a starting point and a destination. If the C-suite is your dream, your next step might be a mid-level role that builds the right skills.

You already have transferable strengths. Ask someone you trust what they see as your unique value. Challenge assumptions that might not be true, and track progress through milestones, feedback, or journaling.

For deeper guidance on finding and pursuing your true passion, see Larry Smith’s No Fears, No Excuses. It’s a practical guide to identifying meaningful work and committing to it.

Take Small Steps, Not Giant Leaps

Momentum comes from action, not endless analysis. In leadership, making a suboptimal decision is often better than making no call at all. The same applies here. A small, imperfect step now is better than waiting for the “perfect” one.

Share your actions with a trusted peer or mentor to accelerate growth. And remember, skills and progress compound over time. Each micro-action builds on the last, creating exponential growth.

If a task feels too big, commit to just five minutes. Often, starting is the hardest part. For more on how skills compound, see my post How Skills Compound to Accelerate Your Growth.

One thing to be aware of is that your self-belief often plays catch-up to your ability. It’s common to take the right actions and to grow while still feeling unsure. That lag doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means your identity is catching up.

Reflect, Adjust, and Keep Going

Progress isn’t just about doing. It’s about learning. Celebrate successes, however small. Be honest about failures and identify what didn’t work. Then decide what’s next and refine your approach.

For more on this, check out my post Finding Opportunities in Failure.

A useful exercise: reflect on three lessons you’ve learned from setbacks. How can they reshape the way you see failure?

Anchor Change with Motivation, Ability, and Prompts

For new behaviors to stick, three elements need to align:

Motivation (The Why): Connect the change to your values.
Ability (The How): Break tasks into achievable steps.
Prompt (The When): Use reminders or cues to act.

Try writing down your motivation, ability, and prompt for one change you want to make.

Sustain Momentum Once You’re Moving

Getting unstuck is only half the battle. Staying unstuck is the real challenge.

Build habits by turning micro-actions into routines.
Stay accountable by sharing progress with a peer or mentor.
Pay attention to emotional signals. Feeling stuck often returns when you ignore your emotional state. This is where emotional intelligence matters, see my post Why Emotional Intelligence Might Be the Key to Your Growth.
Revisit your vision periodically to ensure it still aligns with your values.

Ryan Holiday’s The Obstacle Is the Way reframes challenges as opportunities. It’s a powerful reminder that obstacles aren’t roadblocks, they’re the path forward.

Putting It All Together

Getting unstuck is rarely a one-time fix. It’s a process.

Ask better questions to diagnose what’s holding you back.
Clarify your vision and define realistic next steps.
Take micro-actions and seek feedback.
Reflect on progress, learn from failure, and iterate.
Sustain momentum by building habits and emotional awareness.

Even tiny steps matter. Momentum grows when you take the first intentional step, no matter how small.

If you want to see how this looks in real life, I’ve written about my own journey here.

The “Getting Unstuck” Toolkit

Opposite Question: Write down what frustrates you most, then ask, what’s the opposite of this?
Vision Check: Define one measurable, realistic, meaningful goal with a deadline.
Five-Minute Rule: Commit to just five minutes on a task to break inertia.
Failure Lessons: List three lessons from past setbacks and how they reshape your view of failure.
Behavior Change Trio: Write down your Motivation (why), Ability (how), and Prompt (when).