The truth is no matter how successful we may be, at some point, we too will become stuck.

There have been several moments in my life where I’ve felt stuck and can relate to the feeling well. One of these moments revolved around me trying to start a new career.

I also remember feeling burnt out, stuck in my business, and not knowing what to do, which led me to hiring a coach.

Feeling stuck is guaranteed and it comes during different seasons of your life, and often when you least expect it.

So, how do you know you’re stuck?

Here are some common signs of feeling stuck:

• You’re feeling unfulfilled.
• You’re feeling unmotivated.
• Unable to let go of the past.
• You are trying to control everything.
• You’re feeling anxious, drained, and burned out.
• You’re feeling like you’re just trying to get through another day.

What does it mean if you’re stuck? Simply put, it’s time for a change.

We often prefer to stay in our comfort zones because it’s safe, but we are designed to grow, evolve, and expand. Like everything in nature, we, too, must transform.

Here are some steps to follow to uncover what’s beneath and how to move forward.

Dig deeper

Have you ever tried to push away unpleasant feelings? If so, did it work?

In my experience, pushing away these feelings has never worked. In fact, it usually backfires. The reason is that these feelings are trying to get your attention. By pushing them away, you are actually giving them more power.

Instead, try to be curious about what they are trying to teach you and how you can use them to grow. There is always a deeper lesson and a gift waiting for you if you allow yourself to explore your feelings.

Acceptance is the way out of the rut. Embrace your feelings, relax into them, and listen to them. If you find this work challenging to do on your own, consider finding a coach or a therapist to work with.

Work on your mindset

The way you talk to yourself matters. I love what Einstein said: “You can’t solve a problem with the same level of thinking that created it.”

For example, instead of saying, “I could never start a business because the market is already saturated,” rephrase it to, “I don’t know how to start a business yet, but I can learn about the market and what it takes to be successful.”

This kind of thinking allows you to see opportunities and possibilities rather than obstacles.

Set goals that matter to you

Sometimes we become fixated on setting goals based on what we think will work or what we have done in the past, instead of working towards what aligns with our values, priorities, and who we are at our core.

Take the time to learn about yourself, including your passions, strengths, what fulfills you, and what you need to do to become the person you want to be in the future.

Set your goals from this place of self-awareness and alignment.

Take care of your well-being

So, there’s this quote that goes “Nothing’s going to work unless you do.” It basically means that you have to work hard and take care of yourself, at the same time, if you want to get anywhere.

I used to make the same mistake of only focusing on work and neglecting my personal life. But the thing is, life is about so much more than just work. It’s important to prioritize both sides, otherwise things can get pretty chaotic. Trust me, I’ve been there!

It’s crucial to plan leisure time, such as long weekends to hike, attend festivals, and spend time with family and friends. Additionally, it’s essential to learn to set boundaries, say “no,” and prioritize one’s own needs.

Plan your personal life with the same level of focus as you would with your work-related tasks.

To learn more about real self-care, click here.

Make a plan and follow the plan

Taking action is a great catalyst for setting things in motion. While seeing results can help keep you motivated, planning should come first.

As Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Planning provides freedom, and goals are essential, but they are worthless without the willingness to follow through.

I am a big fan of good planning, but I have also found myself not following through on it more times than I’d like to admit. This is because when you have a plan, you feel like you have everything figured out, and that can sometimes lead you to do things that aren’t in your best interest, causing you to doubt the plan.

As simple as it may seem, “done” is better than “perfect” in 100% of cases.

That’s why it’s important to focus on your mindset and be aware of when you might be getting in your own way. What helps me is to see my plans and goals as an extension of who I am as a person, which leads me to become the person I want to be.