Getting Unstuck: Breaking Free from the Mental Blocks

How to Overcome Perfectionism, Fear of Criticism, and Get Started on Your Dreams

We’ve all been there—staring at our dreams, knowing how big they are, and feeling completely overwhelmed by the distance between where we are now and where we want to be. It can feel paralyzing, like you’re stuck in neutral, unsure of how to move forward. I can still find myself in that space from time to time, and while I haven’t mastered it, I’ve learned to monitor it and stay aware of the things that can hold me back.

Here are three things that can get in my way, and how I manage to get unstuck when they show up:

1. All-or-Nothing Thinking

One of the biggest roadblocks I can find myself dealing with is the belief that everything has to be perfect before I can take action. I can slip into thinking, “I can’t start until I have it all figured out,” which leads to inaction.

When I catch this, I try to shift toward a Mentality of YET. I might not have everything I need YET, but I can find myself learning along the way. I might not have all the skills YET, but I can be developing them. This mentality helps remind me that it’s okay to be in process. It’s a way of checking myself when I start to get stuck in perfectionism. I don’t always get it right, but being aware of it gives me a chance to course-correct.

2. The Fear of Criticism

The fear of criticism is another hurdle I can find myself navigating. Sometimes, I notice those phantom voices—doubts, judgments, or even memories of past failures—starting to influence my decisions. They don’t always go away, but I can monitor how much I’m letting them affect me.

What helps is bringing my attention back to two voices: As a person of faith, what does God say about me? And what do I say about myself? These are the voices that matter. By focusing on what’s most important, I can quiet the noise of outside opinions. I might not completely silence the fear, but I can choose which voices deserve my attention and energy.

3. The ‘Just Do It’ Mentality

This one is something I have to remind myself of constantly. I can find myself falling into the trap of wanting to have everything perfectly planned out before I take the first step. But I know that waiting for perfection keeps me from starting at all.

That’s where the Nike mentality—JUST DO IT—comes in. I don’t need to do everything at once, I just need to take the first step. Whether it’s simply showing up at the gym instead of waiting for the perfect workout plan, or adding vegetables to my plate instead of waiting for the perfect diet, the key is to start small. I can find myself focusing on that first action, knowing it’s what helps me move forward. It’s not always easy, but I keep coming back to it whenever I feel stuck.

Recap: How I Manage Getting Unstuck

1. Catch all-or-nothing thinking and replace it with the Mentality of YET.

2. Notice the fear of criticism and refocus on the voices that matter—God’s and your own.

3. Keep coming back to ‘Just Do It’—take the first step, even if it’s imperfect.

These mindset shifts are things I have to monitor constantly. It’s not about mastering them but being aware and making adjustments when I need to. When I feel stuck, I lean into that awareness and remind myself that progress is always more important than perfection.

If this resonates with you, drop a comment below or share it with someone who might need it today. I’d love to hear how you’re managing your own challenges with getting unstuck. Let’s keep supporting each other on this journey.