By Dr. Scott Zarcinas, Founder, 818: Unlocking Your Life

Most people think that feeling stuck is a sign they’re doing something wrong.

It feels frustrating. Heavy. Like you’re standing at a locked door with no key.

But what if you’ve misinterpreted the symptoms and wrongly self-diagnosed the problem? What if being stuck isn’t a sign you’re failing? What if it’s a sign you’re closer than you realise?

This is something I see all the time with my clients, and it’s something I’ve lived through myself.

Let’s talk about it.

Pushing Harder Isn’t the Answer

One of the biggest mistakes people make when they feel stuck is trying to double down.

They think: “If I just work harder, think smarter, hustle more, I’ll break through.”

But here’s the truth:

You can’t force your way into a new level of life by using the same mindset that built the old one.

That’s the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

More hustle therefore isn’t the answer. More alignment is.

James didn’t need to “work harder.” He needed to reset his perspective.

He needed to step back, get clear on who he wanted to become, and create space for new possibilities to emerge.

When he did that, everything shifted.

He wasn’t pushing against invisible walls anymore. He was walking through open doors.

The Real Work: Permission to Pause and Reset

Most high-achievers are incredibly good at “doing.”

They’re less comfortable with pausing.

That pause—the conscious decision to step back, reassess, and reset—isn’t laziness, it’s self-leadership.

It’s how you shift from reactive living to intentional living.

When James gave himself permission to reset, here’s what happened:

• He clarified who he wanted to be—not just professionally, but personally.

• He stopped doing things out of obligation and started choosing based on real priorities.

• He reclaimed his energy and time.

• He started feeling like he was moving forward again—with momentum and meaning.

And it didn’t take years of grinding. It happened within a few intentional weeks.

That’s what a real reset looks like. And it’s available to you too.

Signs You’re Closer Than You Think

If you’re feeling stuck right now, I want you to know:

It’s not random.
It’s not meaningless.
It’s not failure.

It’s feedback.

Here are a few signs that you’re closer to a breakthrough than you think:

• You’re restless—not because you’re doing nothing, but because you know there’s more for you.

• You’re questioning old patterns and priorities.

• You’re craving clarity, simplicity, and authenticity over achievement for achievement’s sake.

• You’re starting to care less about “doing more” and more about “being what’s real.”

These are not signs of defeat. These are signs you’re ready for something deeper, something more aligned, more authentic.

You’re expanding. You’re getting ready to move forward in a whole new way.

How to Shift from Stuck to Thriving in 30 Days

If you’re ready to reset and build real momentum, here’s where I recommend you start:

1. Stop pushing. Start pausing.
Take a breath. Step back. Get off the treadmill.
Make space to listen—not to what everyone else expects of you, but to what your own inner truth is trying to tell you.

2. Get clear on who you want to become.
Success without alignment isn’t really success.
Define the person you want to be—father, mother, leader, creator, friend—and let your next steps flow from that.

3. Simplify your path.
You don’t need a 10-step master plan.
You need one simple, powerful reset to reconnect with what matters—yourself—using these 3 simple principles: Self-Direction, Self-Discipline, Self-Drive.

4. Trust the discomfort.
Feeling stuck is uncomfortable. Growth always is. Does a snake feel comfortable shedding its skin? No, but it’s growing.
Lean into it. See it for what it is: shedding is a sign you’re closer than you realise. Let go of the old and grow into the new version of you.

Ready to Move Forward ?

If you’re ready to stop pushing against the walls of your old life—and start stepping into a life that feels purposeful, aligned, and free—I can help.

My clients reset their perspective, reclaim their time, and build lives they don’t want to escape from.

No complicated plans. No burnout.

Just a simple, high-impact reset that gets you moving forward again.

And in 30 days or less.

👉 Book your complimentary Discovery Session today and discover how personalised life coaching can help you achieve the transformation you’ve been seeking.