Feeling stuck? Here’s what to do next
The feeling of progress is one of the best feelings of all, even when the progress is small.
When you’re stuck, though — unsure how to lead a difficult conversation, overwhelmed by competing priorities, or questioning whether you’re even on the right path — it can feel like you’re going nowhere fast.
But here’s the thing; getting stuck is part of the process.
If you’re never stuck, you’re probably not doing anything particularly exciting, meaningful, or challenging.
So how do we get unstuck when we’re stuck?
Here are three things that help when every step feels like wading through thick mud:
1. Shift the question from “Are you ready?” to “Are you willing?”
Feeling ‘ready’ can be a bit of a trap. It convinces us we need a flawless plan, all the answers, or the perfect timing before we act. But ‘willing’ is different. It’s not about certainty—it’s about curiosity. Am I willing to take the next small step?
One step. That’s all it takes to get moving again.
You don’t need to be ready. You just need to be willing.
One small, brave step beats a hundred perfectly planned ones that never happen.
2. Hofstadter’s Law
I only came across this recently, and it stuck with me. It goes something like: “Everything takes longer than you expect it will — even when you take into account that it will take longer than you expect.”
True, right?
When we’re stuck, it’s easy to feel frustrated with ourselves for not moving faster.
But what if it’s just part of the process? Delays and detours are part of the process, not failures.
Accepting this helps us stay with the problem long enough for possibility to become reality. That’s often how real progress happens.
3. Try a tiny experiment
When things feel stuck, we often think we need a big breakthrough to move forward. But in reality, progress often comes from small, low-risk experiments.
Instead of waiting for clarity or confidence, build it by testing ideas. Launch that app, try a new pricing structure or package, or try a new format for team meetings.
When we think of success as iterative rather than final, it takes the pressure off. It gives us permission to experiment, learn, and evolve as we go.
Tiny experiments aren’t just a way to move forward — they’re a mindset. They remind us that we don’t need to have it all figured out to take the next step.
Moving Forward, Even When You Feel Stuck
We all get stuck.
Often, it’s a sign that we’re stretching ourselves — growing, learning, and navigating something new.
What sets successful people apart isn’t that they avoid getting stuck — it’s how they respond when they are.
They meet the messiness with patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to take small steps that create momentum.
