The myth of being 'Stuck': 3 practical steps to generate momentum today
The feeling is unmistakable. It’s like trying to run in deep water—plenty of effort, but no forward progress. You’re stuck. Your wheels are spinning in the mud of indecision or routine, and the more you struggle, the deeper you seem to sink.
It's a heavy, frustrating feeling, and it’s one of the most common reasons people seek out a change in their lives. But here’s the secret: being stuck isn't a permanent location. It isn't a character flaw.
Being stuck is a myth.
The feeling is real, but the state itself is an illusion created by inaction. Think of it as a neurological traffic jam. Your brain, overwhelmed by too many options, a fear of the wrong choice, or a simple lack of clarity, has ground to a halt. The feeling of "stuck" is just a signal that your current approach isn't working. It's a call for a new strategy.
So how do you break the spell? You don't need a five-year plan or a sudden bolt of lightning. You just need to create a tiny bit of forward motion. Momentum is the antidote to inertia.
Here are three practical steps you can take right now to do just that.
1. Lower the Stakes: Run a Tiny Experiment
The pressure to make the "right" choice is paralyzing. It forces us to believe every decision is monumental and irreversible. The solution is to stop trying to make a decision and start gathering data. Run a tiny, low-stakes experiment.
What does that look like?
If you're unhappy in your job, don't ask "What's my new career?" Ask, "What's one article I can read about an industry that seems interesting?"
If you want to start a creative project, don't commit to writing a book. Commit to writing one page.
If you're considering a move, spend 20 minutes researching one neighborhood online.
The goal isn't to find the answer; it's to take one small, active step. This proves to your brain that movement is possible.
2. Externalize Your Thoughts: Get It on Paper
Your mind is a brilliant idea generator, but it’s a terrible filing cabinet. When you're stuck, your thoughts, fears, and ideas are likely swirling in a chaotic loop. You can’t solve a problem you can’t see clearly.
Grab a piece of paper and do a "brain dump." Write down everything related to the situation, without judgment.
What do you think you should do?
What do you want to do?
What are you afraid of?
What are all the options, no matter how wild?
Seeing it all in black and white externalizes the chaos, letting you move from being a victim of your thoughts to an observer of them. You’ll see patterns and contradictions you couldn't see before.
3. Focus on Direction, Not Destination: Pick a Compass Point
We often think we need a perfect, detailed map to our destination before we can take the first step. That’s a recipe for staying put. Instead, just pick a direction.
Look at your list from step two and ask yourself a simple question: "What here seems even 1% more interesting or energizing than what I'm doing right now?"
Don't worry about where it leads. Your only job is to take one step in that direction. If you find you like it, take another. If you don't, you haven't failed; you've simply learned something. You can now adjust your compass and pick a new direction. This is how you find your path—not by staring at a map, but by walking.
The feeling of being stuck thrives on stillness. By introducing even the smallest intentional movement, you break its power. You remind yourself that you are in control, and you are always, always free to take the next step.
(This kind of reframing is at the heart of effective coaching. If you're ready to move from stuck to unstoppable, explore more ideas at www.corbyfine.com/blog/)