Here's why most people remain stuck

Last night on my coaching call, I explained the most common reason that people climb to some level and then get stuck there.

It's because they've stopped making sacrifices and stopped taking risks. They've achieved some level of comfort, and have become content or complacent.

If comfort was always your goal, there's nothing wrong with this. If that's you, then you may stop reading this message.

If you're still reading this, you know you want more from life. You can sense your higher potential and greater purpose. But, you are wondering why things aren't progressing like they used to.

"What got you here, won't get you there."

I have no doubt that you've made some hard sacrifices in life to get where you currently are. You've made life decisions that weren't clear to others at the time. You've taken risks and bet on yourself. You've failed, you've won, you kept going.

Then comfort arrived for you. Your bills are paid. You finally had some extra spending money to enjoy interests. You upgraded your home, your car, your clothes. Friends and family are proud of you and say "you've made it."

Society is an interesting trap we navigate. As our income, status, and confidence all begin to elevate; Climbing the corporate and social ladders, we begin doing less of what got us here.

We stop taking risks. We stop making sacrifices, even if temporary. We'll do anything to protect our current income and perceived social status.

We'll even fake our own confidence, knowing that we actually live in fear of losing everything.

Here's how you get unstuck.

1) Play chess, not checkers. In checkers, your basic moves are always forward, you cannot move backwards. If you follow that rule with your life, you'll resist moving backwards in income level or status. Chess is a far more advanced game. To master chess, you'll understand that sometimes it is necessary to move backwards to strategize winning the entire game.

2) Stop worrying what others will think about you. If you downgrade your lifestyle, your home, your vehicle, sure - some people will gossip and talk about you. These are usually other people who reached some level and got stuck, themselves. They're no longer stacking wins, so they need to point out other people's losses to feel better about being stuck. Temporary sacrifice to get ahead is honorable and takes courage, and those people have neither.

3) Continuously invest in new skills and knowledge. Learning is something we do, not something we did. Your entire life should be dedicated to learning new things, especially skills that move you closer to your purpose or dreams. Don't say you can't afford it if you have items you could sell, or a lifestyle you can downgrade. Again, playing chess - move backwards now to move ahead later!

I hope this message reaches you. I hope it reaches your friends that also need to hear it.

P.S. That car in the pic was the Nissan I drove while I was putting myself through college. It was the worst vehicle I've ever owned, and it left me stranded numerous times. As a car enthusiast, I had to put aside my ego and "car guy" identity for several years to focus on what was important. That was just one sacrifice of many that I've made, and I continue to make.

-Tony