The Psychology of Getting Unstuck

As a Learning Facilitator and ICF Coach, I often work with professionals who feel "stuck" in their growth. One such example is an Area Manager I coached—let’s call him Amit. Despite his strong technical skills, he struggled to take the next step in his career. His challenge wasn’t a lack of ability but rather a need to develop habits that would make excellence second nature.

Through our sessions, we worked on building self-discipline, eliminating distractions, and reinforcing small, consistent actions. Over time, Amit unlocked his potential and successfully moved into a higher role. His journey mirrored the three psychological stages of habit formation, which are crucial for mastering any skill.

The Three Stages of Habit Formation:

Cognitive Stage: At this stage, we intellectualize the task, make mistakes, and experiment with different strategies. Amit initially found it hard to focus on high-impact activities because his mind was occupied with minor operational issues. Together, we identified key priorities and created a structured daily plan.

Associative Stage: With repetition, the task becomes more manageable, though it still requires effort. Amit gradually learned to delegate better and became more intentional in his approach. He started seeing progress, but doubts still lingered—was he really leadership material?

Autonomous Stage: Eventually, habits become second nature, allowing us to operate on autopilot. This is when Amit fully embraced his leadership style, making strategic decisions effortlessly. His confidence grew, and soon, he was leading his team with clarity and impact.

The Real Challenge: Pushing Through the Plateau

The toughest part of any growth journey is the "creative gap"—where our skills haven’t yet caught up with our aspirations. Many people quit here. Consistent action is the key to getting unstuck, even when progress feels slow.

If you’re in this phase, keep going. Growth isn't about raw talent but the commitment to keep improving. The only thing standing between you and success is your willingness to push through discomfort.

Have you ever felt stuck in your learning or career? What helped you break through? Share your thoughts in the comments! #GrowthMindset #LeadershipDevelopment #LearningAndDevelopment