Getting stuck in business is part of the journey of growing, whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out. And it can happen at any time and unexpectedly. Some reasons could be that you’re feeling unable to make a decision, you’ve encountered obstacles you hadn’t anticipated which have caused unnecessary stress, or you’ve hit a plateau in growth.
The key to overcoming these moments is often not as monumental as you may think and feel. You may not need to invest a large sum of money in online marketing or rebrand your business.
Overcoming a “stuck” phase may be as simple as taking a few small steps in the right direction, and shifting your perspective about the way you view yourself and your business.
Here are five simple strategies to help you get unstuck and move forward in your business:
1. Revisit your “why”
When you feel like you’re spinning your wheels, it may be because you’ve lost touch with your original purpose. Reconnecting with “why” you began your business can give you the clarity and motivation to move through your current obstacles.
Go back to the time you started your business and ask yourself what was your driving vision? What change did you want to create? Revisiting your mission will help you reignite your passion and provide fresh insights into how to move forward
Grab something to write on, whether this is a pen and paper or your laptop if you prefer. Find a place where you can relax, take a few deep breaths, set an intention to get back in touch with your “why”, and start journalling. How long should this take? It doesn’t matter, take as long as you need for the answers to come.
This process will reveal how far you’ve drifted from your core goals and can guide you in bringing you back in alignment with them.
2. Seek outside perspectives
Business owners can often get stuck in their own head or way of doing things and an outside perspective can help immensely. Consult a colleague or reach out to your business network and chat with someone you trust. If you have employees, ask them for their ideas.
External feedback can help you identify blind spots, challenge your assumptions, and introduce new ideas that you may not have considered. Consider reaching out to other experts in your field or attending industry-specific workshops or conferences. These opportunities not only provide you with fresh knowledge but also expand your network and expose you to different approaches.
Remember, sometimes all it takes is a different lens to see a solution.
3. Simplify your focus
When business growth stalls, it’s easy to hit the panic button and behave in a reactive and scattered way, launching new products or services, or chasing after multiple goals at once. This might make you feel better and that you’re doing something, but spreading yourself too thin can make your obstacles bigger and add to your stress.
That’s the last thing you need right now.
Instead, focus on simplifying what you need to do. Having reconnected to your “why”, identify the core areas of your business that need attention and prioritise them.
One way to simplify is by using the 80/20 rule: 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. Analyse your activity and identify those that are driving the most success and those which are merely distractions. Then, focus on the important tasks to create momentum and regain control.
4. Leverage small wins
When you’re stuck, it can feel like every decision is monumental and that progress is either all or nothing. But in reality, it’s the small, consistent wins which lead to significant breakthroughs.
Small steps work. And all you need to do is take the next small step without expecting huge returns right now. Many small steps lead to progress, and it’s only when you look back that you can see this.
Focus on this incremental progress by setting achievable short-term goals. Each win will build momentum and, over time, create the conditions for larger shifts.
And remember to celebrate these small victories to maintain your confidence for both you and your team. Even actions that seem minor – like securing a new lead, fixing a small operational issue, or writing a new case study – can help you get unstuck and move your business forward.
5. Embrace a growth mindset
Do you have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? Being stuck is often the result of fixed mindset thinking. Embracing a growth mindset allows you to view challenges as opportunities to learn, rather than insurmountable roadblocks.
A growth mindset helps you adapt, experiment, and see failures as learning experiences. Try something new, if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t matter, move onto the next thing and try something else. Eventually you’ll get results as long as you keep moving.
To cultivate this mindset, encourage curiosity, ask “what if” questions, and become a little more comfortable with uncertainty. Because during times of uncertainty, you’ll get more creative if you allow yourself to. Instead of fearing failure, focus on the lessons it brings and adjust your strategies accordingly. Businesses that thrive are those that are adaptable and open to change.
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Getting stuck in business is not only common but a sign that you’re growing. The most successful businesspeople recognise that these moments are opportunities to learn, and refocus. By reconnecting with your purpose, welcoming some outside fresh perspectives, simplifying your focus with the 80/20 rule, leveraging small wins, and embracing a growth mindset, you can get yourself unstuck and move forward on your business.
Every business will encounter hurdles, but the key to long-term success lies in your ability to stay with it, be adaptable, resilient, and open to new ways and possibilities. Because right now, you don’t know what you don’t know. And the only way to find out is to keep going and take that next step.