Archetypes of the Perpetually Stuck

"Stuckness" is a function of inaction. As I talk to people who aren't doing what they want, but also aren't taking ACTION toward it, they usually fall into one of three camps (I slip into various versions of the three archetypes at different times. I think these are universal traps).

The Schemer— All schemers have one thing in common, they want to get rich off of the back of someone else, they want it to be quick, and they don’t want any skin in the game. They usually say things like, “Since I had the idea for the app, if you build it and run it and fund it—I’ll give you 50%.” Or “I have tons of multi-million dollar ideas, I just need someone to give me some money and I’ll make them rich.” They think they have the essential part of success, which is the idea part—and everything else—like execution—is fungible. They always lack the sufficient resources to accomplish the scheme and never want to do the actual work involved in accomplishing it. They feel they are entitled to royalties for their brilliance and everyone else owes them. 

They think they are Danny Ocean from Oceans 11 and after one big heist they’ll go from obscurity to fabulous wealth in an instant. 

They always sense they lack RESOURCES—they need to learn resourcefulness. 

Remedy— Schemers have to learn that success usually comes in levels, and you don’t go from a pauper to a multi-millionaire in a matter of months. They have to learn how to flex the execution muscle. 

Think of a smaller idea that you can execute without the resources of someone else and get to it. A small solo success will speak volumes in the future when you want to bring others along for a whale hunting expedition. Schemers have to check themselves and make sure they don't turn into scammers.

Cinderellas and Benighted Geniuses- Cinderellas are waiting for their Prince Charming to come rescue them and handle all of their problems. They are undiscovered wunderkinds and if they were just given the right platform, the right job opportunity, the right boss—they could really shine. They are brilliant but unlucky. They are a victim of circumstance. Cinderellas spend time hopping from job to job hoping that the next set of circumstances will improve, but they rarely do. They want to be Steve Ballmer at Microsoft and get invited to the Microsoft founding meeting. At a law firm, I was a Cinderella. I thought if I could just get to a consulting firm, or a private equity firm, or anywhere else—they would see how brilliant I was and immediately have me be the CEO. 

They always sense they lack OPPORTUNITY. They need to learn how to generate opportunity themselves and not wait for it to come knocking.

Remedy- Be the Prince Charming that you seek. Create the opportunity and bring others along for the ride. 

Terrified Turtles- Turtle’s can’t fathom the idea of losing any of their hard earned cash. They have no self-belief. They are usually extremely hard workers and are the ones most capable of getting unstuck but they have to find self-confidence somehow. They say things like "I'm just too risk averse for anything entrepreneurial. Turtles are luckiest when someone recognizes their ability and gives them the nudge required to believe. 

They sense a lack of BELIEF. They need to build the muscle of positive thinking. They have to take small steps to slowly build confidence in themselves.

Remedy—If you are a terrified turtle you need to meet some people that have had success in the past. Terrified turtles usually have a background with a parent who lost everything or they are constantly surrounded by “cautionary tales” of various forms of Icarus’s that flew too close to the sun and created their own demise. Turtles are great balancers and partners to have for someone who is optimistic and a glass-half full person. Turtles are cautious by nature but if left to their own devices they’ll shell up without taking much action. They need to be prodded along and shown that while risks exist, there is a whole world of opportunity to be seized.