How to Get Unstuck and Finally Finish What Matters

My Personal Story:

I Almost Didn’t Start

I remember vividly the moment I knew I had to start my life coaching business. I was sitting at home, laptop open, to-do list prepped, coffee in hand—and yet I couldn’t type a single word. At the time I knew nothing of website copy, had no social content, I was jumping into uncharted waters. I’m a retired Registered Nurse. A missionary. An advocate for many. What did I know of life coaching. I’d blocked out the time, done the research, mapped out the plan. But when it came time to act, I froze. Not going to admit that I was terrified, but I was terrified. Avoidance became my approach. Procrastination my partner.

It wasn't laziness. It wasn’t a lack of ambition. It was fear in it’s most powerful form - fear of failure. Starting this business meant stepping into a bigger version of myself. It meant being seen, sharing my voice, and risking failure. It meant facing imposter-syndrome head on and claiming my seat at the table. The longer I delayed, the worse I felt. I’d go days without making any real progress, telling myself I was "strategizing" or "waiting for clarity from The Lord," when in reality, I was just scared and overwhelmed.

The turning point came when I realized that the fear wasn’t going to magically disappear, this wasn’t something I was going to pray away, or hope out of existence - I had to act. I had to work with it—not wait for it to go away. So, I gave myself permission to start small. One paragraph. One coaching outline. One honest post. And slowly, with each action, I began to move forward. And as I moved, clarity began to come. I began to meet others along my path that had the insights I lacked. I had finished all of the required training. I satisfied all the necessary legalities and the stuff that, honestly, others would use as justification to stop. What I lacked was the understanding of what to do, and in what order, beyond all of this this. And the people I met; the information I gained; the exposure was exhilarating. Once I began, stopping wasn’t in the cards anymore. I was hooked on the momentum and my stalemate soon became my breakthrough.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re standing at the edge of your dream and can’t seem to take the first step, you’re not alone. The stuckness doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’re on the edge of something meaningful. It means a New You is just over the horizon. But you gotta get there!

So let’s talk about what’s really happening when you feel stuck—and how to move through it. This list was compiled as a result of deep reflection from the journey that brought me here to cross paths with you. Okay enough of me, let’s get you moving.

“Feeling stuck is one of the most frustrating human experiences. You know what you want to do, but you can't seem to move forward. Whether it’s launching a project, writing, getting healthier, or having that important conversation, feeling stuck is a sign. But the good news? You don’t have to stay there.”

Why We Get Stuck

Before we dive into the how, let’s sit with the why. Because if you don’t understand what’s holding you back, no strategy in the world will help you move forward. Here are some of the most common reasons we find ourselves spinning our wheels—and how they might be quietly showing up in your life.

1. Overwhelmed

Have you ever felt paralyzed by your own to-do list? Like there’s so much to do that your brain just throws up its hands and checks out? That’s not you being lazy—that’s a nervous system in freeze mode. It’s a sign that you’re carrying too much, too fast.

We live in a world that glorifies busy, so it's easy to mistake this shutdown as a failure of motivation. But really, it’s your body asking for clarity and calm.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, pause. Breathe. Write down everything that’s swirling in your head—no filter. Then ask: what actually needs your attention today? What one thing is time sensitive, vital, or will yield a solution somehow. No matter if its getting up and simply doing your hair, or if it’s drafting the next few lines of the first copy, for some, it’s making the call (whatever that may be) but we start here. Small, actionable, reasonable, and forward. Start there.

You don’t need to solve your whole life in an afternoon. You just need to take one step. which leads to another. And feeds another.

2. Misaligned Priorities

Sometimes the thing we think we should be doing just isn’t right for us anymore. But because we once committed to it—or because other people expect it—we cling to it, even as it weighs us down.

Ask yourself: is this goal still mine? Or is it a version of success I adopted from someone else—society, family, a former version of me?

If your heart’s not in it, you’ll find endless ways to procrastinate. And that’s not failure—that’s wisdom trying to speak up.

It’s okay to change your mind. To shift your path. To say, “This no longer fits.” That’s not quitting. That’s growing.

3. Not Working With Reality

One of the fastest routes to stuckness is trying to force someone else’s plan onto your life. Maybe you read about a “perfect” morning routine or watched someone crush their side hustle in 60 days—and now you’re wondering why that formula isn’t working for you.

Here’s the truth: their life isn’t your life.

You have your own rhythms, responsibilities, and limitations. And when your plan ignores those things, resistance shows up.

Instead of trying to fit yourself into someone else’s box, start designing around your reality. What time do you actually have? What kind of energy? What kind of support?

Working with your life—not against it—isn’t lowering the bar. It’s building something sustainable.

4. Comfort

Comfort is tricky. It sneaks in slowly, often disguised as “success.” You’ve worked hard, created some stability, and now… why push?

The answer is: because growth and comfort rarely live in the same room.

It’s easy to coast when things feel good enough. But deep down, you know there’s more. And sometimes the thing keeping you stuck isn’t fear of failure—it’s fear of disrupting the comfort you’ve earned.

But the truth is, you don’t have to burn it all down to grow. You just need to ask: where am I hiding behind ease? Where could I stretch, just a little?

Start there. Lean into the edge.

5. Fear

Fear isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it whispers: “What if I’m not good enough?” “What if I fail?” “What if they judge me?”

The projects that matter most are often the ones that scare us most. And the closer we get to the work that’s meaningful, the more likely fear is to show up.

But fear is a compass. If something makes your stomach flip, it probably matters. And that’s a good thing.

Don’t wait for fear to go away. Bring it with you. Say, “I see you. I hear you. But we’re doing this anyway.”

6. Energy and Environment

If your energy is low and your space is chaotic, even the best intentions fall flat. You’re not a machine. You need rest. You need nourishment. You need a space that helps you focus.

Notice how your daily choices shape your energy. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you moving your body? Are you spending time with people who lift you up—or drain you?

And what about your physical environment? Does it invite focus and creativity—or distraction and clutter?

Small changes make a big impact. Put your phone in another room. Light a candle before you write. Play music that puts you in flow. Protect your energy like it’s your most valuable resource—because it is.

How to Get Unstuck

Once you understand the root cause, you can take targeted steps to move forward.

1. Reconnect With What Matters

Start by tuning into what truly matters to you. What makes you feel alive? What legacy do you want to leave? Reconnecting with your values helps filter out the noise.

Tip: If a goal doesn’t align with your values, give yourself permission to let it go.

2. Ruthlessly Prioritize

If everything matters, nothing gets done. Prioritize only 3–5 big projects at a time. This opens mental space and sharpens focus.

"Most people won’t complete more than five total projects per timescale." – Charlie Gilkey

If your plate is still full, consider which project moves the needle the most. Start there.

3. Create a Realistic Plan

Work within your reality. Don’t assume you’ll magically find 20 hours a week. Be honest about your time, energy, and support.

• Break projects into small, clear chunks.

• Organize steps by size and sequence.

• Put your plan on a calendar.

Be flexible, but stay grounded in what’s doable.

4. Build Momentum

Momentum is everything. The hardest part is starting. Set a minimum viable action: 10 minutes a day, one sentence, a single rep.

"Even taking the tiniest step every day adds up."

Charlie Gilkey recommends at least three 2-hour blocks a week for meaningful progress. More is great. But consistency matters more than intensity.

5. Create Rituals and Routines

Habits reduce friction. Whether it’s writing, exercising, or creating, build a routine. Structure reduces decision fatigue and keeps you moving.

6. Leverage Your Environment

Design your space for success:

• Keep distractions (like your phone) out of reach.

• Stock healthy snacks.

• Work near other focused people.

• Consume content that inspires you.

Seek out community or accountability if that helps. Join a group, hire a coach, or simply share your goals with a friend.

How to Finish What Matters

Getting started is only half the battle. Finishing requires sustained action and emotional resilience.

1. Make Space

Clear your calendar and mental bandwidth. Remove distractions and obligations that don’t serve your current goal.

"Make a wedge for your project. Use it again and again."

2. Plan Smartly

Use a task hierarchy: group related tasks, break them down, and line them up in logical order. Avoid lumping unequal tasks together.

3. Build Consistency

Routine is your best friend. Try:

• Morning work blocks

• Weekly reviews

• Public or private progress logs

And celebrate every milestone, no matter how small. Joy builds momentum.

4. Start From Love, Not Just Pain

You don’t need to be miserable to act. Create from joy, not just desperation. Let your highest self guide the work.

"I want to create from a place of love and giving, not just to escape pain."

Final Thoughts

Stuckness is a signal, not a sentence. It means you care. It means you’re alive. Use it as a doorway to reflect, realign, and recommit.

Get unstuck by reconnecting with what matters, creating space, making a plan, and moving forward with compassion and clarity. The hard part is starting. But once you do, momentum builds.

And remember: you don’t have to do this alone. Book your One on One with me today. Lets explore which steps are optimal for you.