How To Get Unstuck In Life: Finding The Courage To Take The Next Step
Before you read on, take a minute to watch the short video above. In it, I share the surprising truth I hear from so many of my clients.
They’re not really stuck. They’re just afraid of the next step. And that’s where the magic happens.
The Truth About Feeling ‘Stuck’
If you’ve been feeling like your life is going around in circles, or that you’ve hit a wall you can’t get past, you’re not alone.
In my coaching sessions, one of the most common things people tell me is: “Ross, I just feel stuck.”
But here’s the thing. Nine times out of ten, when we really dig into it, they’re not truly stuck. They’re facing something else entirely. Usually fear, uncertainty or simply not knowing what the next step is.
And do you know what? That’s perfectly okay.
You don’t have to have your entire life mapped out to move forward. Sometimes, all you need is the next tiny step and the confidence to try it. That’s what we uncover together in my Elevate Your Self-Esteem and Your Starting Point online coaching sessions.
Why Feeling Stuck Is More About Fear Than Reality
When you’re afraid, your brain does something rather sneaky. It convinces you that staying still is safer than moving forward. You start to believe that you’re trapped, when in reality, you’re simply avoiding uncertainty.
I once worked with a client who believed they couldn’t leave their unfulfilling job because they “didn’t have options.” After some honest conversations, it became clear the real issue wasn’t a lack of options but more the fear of failure in a new environment.
The moment they realised that, they began exploring small, low-risk changes. Within six months, they were in a new role they loved. The shift wasn’t instant but it started with a single step they’d been too afraid to take.
This is why learning how to get unstuck in life isn’t about overnight transformation. It’s about shifting perspective and breaking the fear-hold on your decision-making.
Recognising When You’re ‘Mentally Stuck’
Feeling stuck isn’t always about your external circumstances. Sometimes it’s about what’s going on in your head. Clients often ask me how to get unstuck mentally.
Signs you’re mentally stuck include:
Replaying the same problems over and over without action.
Feeling unable to make a decision or overwhelmed by a number of choices.
Waiting for the “perfect time” to start something.
Doubting your ability before you’ve even tried.
If any of these sound familiar, it’s not a sign that you can’t move forward. It’s a sign you need to start thinking differently. Coaching can help you reframe the way you see your situation, so the path ahead becomes clear and doable.
Why Not Knowing The Next Step Is Totally Fine
Many people put pressure on themselves to have a perfectly clear plan before taking action.
You’ll never know every step of the journey before you start.
Imagine standing at the bottom of a staircase in the dark. You can’t see all the steps, just the first one. You don’t need to see the top to start climbing, you just need to take the first step, and the next will come into view.
In my Your Starting Point session, that’s exactly what we do. We identify that very first step. The one that’s realistic, achievable and right for you. Then we build the confidence to take it.
Confidence Is The Missing Link Between ‘Stuck’ And Progress
Knowing the step is one thing. Taking it is another.
This is where my Elevate Your Self-Esteem coaching comes in. We work on building the inner belief and resilience you need to move forward, even when you’re scared.
When you learn how to get unstuck in life, you’re not just building a plan, you’re building yourself.
A Practical Framework To Get Unstuck
Here’s a simplified version of the process I use with clients:
Identify The Block. Is it lack of clarity, fear or self-doubt?
Challenge The Narrative. Is what you believe about your situation fact or fear-based assumption?
Define One Actionable Step. Something achievable within the next 7 days.
Build Confidence Through Action . You don’t wait for confidence to take action. You build it by taking action.
By following these steps, you move from thinking to doing. Doing changes everything.
Real-Life Example: From Stuck To Starting Again
A client came to me convinced they were at a dead end after a relationship breakdown. They told me they couldn’t start again at their age. But through our sessions, we realised it wasn’t the circumstances holding them back, it was the belief that starting again was “too late.”
We broke it down:
First, reframing their mindset to a solutions based mindset (how to get unstuck mentally).
Next, identifying new possibilities that felt exciting, not overwhelming.
Finally, taking small, confidence-building actions.
They didn’t just “move on”. They built a completely new chapter in their life that they now describe as their most fulfilling yet.
The Role Of Coaching In Getting Unstuck
Yes, you can figure things out on your own. But here’s why coaching accelerates the process:
Perspective – I’ll help you see options you didn’t know you had.
Accountability – You’ll take action faster when you know someone’s holding you to it.
Confidence – With mindset strategies, tools and shifts, you’ll believe in yourself more than you thought possible.
Whether it’s Elevate Your Self-Esteem to build belief in yourself, or Your Starting Point to clarify your next step, these sessions are designed to help you stop spinning your wheels and start moving forward.
Your Next Step (Yes, You Have One!)
If you’re reading this and nodding along, here’s your challenge:
Stop waiting for the perfect moment. There isn’t one.
Instead, take one step. That step could be booking a group session with me, or a one-to-one coaching session with me, so we can work together to figure out your next moves and build the confidence to make them happen.
You’re not stuck. You’re just standing still. Let’s change that.
Ready to start? Book your Elevate Your Self-Esteem and Your Starting Point coaching session today and let’s find your next step together.