Getting Unstuck
- Craig Law-Smith
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
A word I’ve been hearing a lot from clients and colleagues lately is this:
“I feel stuck.”
Sometimes it’s a hiring freeze halting upward movement.
Other times, it’s a re-org that’s left someone on a team that doesn’t quite fit—whether in culture, energy, or skill set.
Sometimes it’s a toxic environment, perpetuated by a manager who doesn’t support growth or collaboration.
Whatever the reason, that feeling of being stuck professionally can easily seep into your personal life. The energy to exercise, journal, meditate—or simply take a deep breath—can fade.
This is real. It’s human. And there’s no shame in it.
But here’s what I’ve seen to be true:
You don’t wait until you feel unstuck to move. You move—and in that movement, you get unstuck. Put another way you do not rise to the level of your feelings. You rise to the level of your actions.
This is an area where typically I get a lot of pushback, so I am going to spend a little more time explaining what is behind moving first and then getting your motivation.
Why Mood Follows Action (and Energy Follows Effort)
In psychology, Behavioral Activation is one of the most effective ways to treat low mood. The principle is simple:
Take action first. Mood will follow.
Small, purposeful actions activate the brain’s dopamine system—the same system responsible for motivation and reward. You don’t need to wait to feel motivated. When you begin, even gently, that motivation often shows up to meet you.
Effort also builds energy.
Biologically, effort activates the sympathetic nervous system, boosting focus and alertness. Over time, regular effort increases our actual energy capacity—both mentally and physically.
Getting Unstuck at Work: A Few Reflections
When you feel stuck in your career, the first step isn’t always a leap. It’s often a nudge:
🔹 What steps can you take, right now, where you are, to get to where you want to go?
Maybe it’s setting up alerts on internal job sites.
Maybe it’s doing a small project on a team you’re curious about.
Small moves can create real momentum.
🔹 What growth is still available right where you are?
Even in a difficult environment, there can be opportunities to show up differently.
Practice collaboration. Build resilience. Lead with kindness.
Remember: the grass is green where you grow it.
🔹 Where is your energy going—and is it serving you?
Track the people, meetings, or tasks that energize or deplete you.
Dial up what nourishes you. Dial down what drains you—where possible.
Where your attention goes, your energy flows.
Getting Unstuck in Life
When work drains us, it often steals from our personal well-being too. The things that once brought joy—exercise, nature, friends, loved ones—fall by the wayside.
And yet, this is when we need them most.
Remember: Mood follows action.
You don’t need to feel joyful to begin.
You begin—and joy has a way of finding you.
Try:
A short walk outside. Notice the season.
Journaling for just five minutes.
Making one nourishing meal.
Reaching out to someone who makes you feel like yourself.
Returning to a morning routine that grounds you—even if just one piece of it.
Every action you take in alignment with your values sends a powerful message to your nervous system and your sense of self:
“I’m not stuck. I’m moving forward.”
What’s one small, aligned action—professionally or personally—that you could take this week?
Not because you feel motivated, but because you want to become motivated.
Warm regards,
Craig
P.S. Before you go—what’s one thing you’re curious about right now when it comes to conscious leadership and sustained peak performance? Comment or send an email to craig@wavecoaching.org. I read every comment and message.
Subscribe for practical, thoughtful insights on conscious leadership and sustained peak performance—delivered straight to your inbox.
Wave Coaching offers keynotes, workshops, and 1:1 coaching designed to support leadership growth. [Book a time to connect.]
Comentarios