Being stuck is a natural part of life, but it's often seen as a negative experience. This article explores the surprising ways in which being stuck can actually be beneficial, helping us to cultivate perseverance, re-evaluate our goals, and learn valuable skills like delegation.
There are five key functions to being stuck that can help us in the long term. Setting big goals are often the most rewarding part of our professional lives. Before the hard work starts, before the setbacks, and before the inevitable stretches of being stuck, there is nothing but innocent energy and intoxicating possibility. However, sooner or later, we get stuck. Progress slows, obstacles pile up, and frustration sets in.
The experience of being stuck is extremely unpleasant in the moment, and it's easy to want to just throw in the towel. But the experience of being stuck also fulfills important functions that help us in the long run. It is very helpful to keep those in mind to avoid making decisions from a place of heightened negative emotions. Being stuck is life’s way of asking, “How badly do you want this?” It’s a test of our commitment and determination. It’s a no-brainer to stay motivated when everything is going smoothly. But when we hit roadblocks, our resolve is put to the test. Think of the great innovators, athletes, and leaders throughout history. They all faced moments when progress seemed impossible. What set them apart was their ability to push through. Perseverance is considered to be one of the important elements of success, and it is tested only when we’re stuck. When we’re stuck we are tempted to imagine that a world where every goal was easy to achieve would be a good thing. Would it? In such a world, would success feel rewarding? Would the triumph of reaching the summit still give us a euphoric high? Likely not. An important function of being stuck lies in the scarcity it creates. Although by no means the only one, it’s partly what makes gold valuable, diamonds desirable, and accomplishments meaningful. Struggles serve as a reminder that what we’re pursuing is worth the effort, and add depth and significance to our achievements. When progress slows, we’re forced to pause and reflect. Sure, it might not be the most pleasant reflection and it might be filled with complaints and colorful language. But eventually, the useful questions will bubble up: “Do I truly want this? Is this my calling? Or am I chasing it to fulfill someone else’s expectations?” Being stuck forces us to practice delayed gratification. This is important because the ability to delay gratification is a bit like playing piano: it is not something that can solely be taught. It must be experienced and done. Finally, one of the most overlooked benefits of being stuck is that it forces us to lean on others. It might come from a place of weakness in the moment, but it is also an opportunity to excel in one of the most important skills in life: delegation. When we are stuck, we are more inclined to rely on others. This in turn opens our eyes to the elements of effective delegation: Trust, empowerment, personnel selection, task division, goal setting, and feedback. If we learn to take advantage of this opportunity to learn how to delegate, our period of being stuck may result in a greater ability to overcome obstacles and accelerate progress through a different way of working. All of this is not to say that being stuck should never lead us to abandon a particular goal. Sometimes that is the right answer. The best way of thinking about being stuck is that it’s something we should expect would happen both for goals that we can achieve and for goals we cannot or are not sufficiently motivated to achieve. It is not a good indicator of whether we should push through or bail out. Whichever of these options we choose to take, the following remains true: Being stuck has important functions. Let’s not ignore it
PERSEVERANCE GOAL SETTING DELEGATION OBSTACLES PERSONAL GROWTH
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