Have you ever felt stuck in a relationship, a job, or in your life in general? Despite your best efforts, it feels like there’s a massive boulder blocking your progress. You push and push, but it seems like you’re just spinning your wheels, getting nowhere. Self-doubt creeps in. You feel overwhelmed and question if you’ll ever get past the roadblock in front of you. Whether it’s a mountain of tasks, a creative block, or uncertainty about your next steps, feeling stuck can affect your happiness, productivity, and confidence.
But what if you could break the cycle? What if you had a simple method to clear the mental clutter and get unstuck?
Try the SOAP Method
a four-step process designed to help inspire new thinking, envision the best way forward and find your way around that big boulder that’s blocking you. SOAP is an acronym for:
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Stop and Step Away
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Observe Yourself
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Act with Awareness
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Prepare to Pivot or Partner
Let’s explore each step to show you how to get unstuck and start moving forward again.
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Stop and Step Away
When you’re stuck, the instinct is often to power through, to push harder, and hope for a breakthrough. But sometimes, that very persistence can make things worse, leading to burnout, frustration, and even deeper feelings of being stuck.
The solution? Step away. Give yourself permission to pause and detach from the pressure to keep pushing. A short break can offer the mental space you need to reassess your situation with fresh eyes. In this space, you might spot a simple solution that was hidden under the weight of your stress.
Stepping away allows you to reset your mindset, reflect on the big picture, and evaluate whether you’re even heading in the right direction. Sometimes, a small shift in perspective can help you see the path forward more clearly.
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Observe Yourself
The thoughts that hold you back are often the very ones that make you feel stuck. Self-doubt, negativity, and perfectionism can cloud your judgment and keep you from seeing a way forward. The key to overcoming this? Self-awareness.
Start by paying attention to your thoughts. Are you thinking in self-limiting ways like “I can’t do this,” or “This will never work”? If so, those thoughts are reinforcing the block. Acknowledging them is the first step toward shifting your mindset.
Take a moment to journal. Write down the negative thoughts you’re having and then counter them with more positive, constructive alternatives. For example, replace “I’m not good at this” with “I can learn this, and I’ll seek support when needed.” By observing and challenging your thoughts, you can begin to change your mindset and, in turn, your experience.
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Act with Awareness
Once you’ve paused and observed your thoughts, it’s time to take intentional action. This isn’t about mindlessly repeating old habits or acting out of frustration. Instead, you want to make conscious choices that align with the clarity you’ve gained during your pause.
Ask yourself: What is the next best step I can take to move forward? What action feels aligned with my new perspective? Whether it’s simplifying a task, seeking feedback, or trying a new approach, make sure your actions are intentional and thoughtful.
This step is all about mindful progress. Acting with awareness allows you to take control of your situation and prevents you from defaulting to automatic behaviors that may be keeping you stuck.
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Prepare to Pivot or Partner
The world moves fast, and sometimes, getting unstuck requires flexibility. Even with awareness and intentionality, you may find that your original approach isn’t working as well as you’d hoped. This is where pivoting or partnering can make all the difference.
Being willing to adjust your strategy or collaborate with others can open up new possibilities. A partner can offer fresh insights, skills you may lack, or simply a sounding-board for your ideas. Working together, you can often remove obstacles more effectively than if you were going it alone.
Flexibility and collaboration allow you to flow with the changing circumstances of your work and life, reducing friction and making progress feel easier.
To Wrap It Up…
The next time you find yourself feeling stuck, remember the SOAP Method:
- Stop and Step Away – Give yourself the space to reset.
- Observe Yourself – Tune into your thoughts and shift any limiting beliefs.
- Act with Awareness – Take an intentional, mindful step forward.
- Prepare to Pivot or Partner – Be flexible and collaborate when needed.
By following these four steps, you’ll be better equipped to tackle whatever’s standing in your way and move from stuck to unstuck with greater ease and confidence.
