Dreaming big and setting 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 optimism. It’s great.
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 hard to transport ourselves to a future place where these negative emotions would give way to more cerebral thoughts.
However, 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.
What are the functions of this? There may be five, with the fifth being the most overlooked.
1. Proving Our Mettle
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. Grit is considered to be one of the important elements of success, and it is tested only when we’re stuck.
2. Scarcity Creates Value
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?
Would there even be value to goals that anyone can achieve?
Likely not. An important function of being stuck lies in the scarcity it creates. Although by no means the only one, scarcity is a key element of value. 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.
3. Clarifying Our Calling and Mission
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:
“Am I pursuing this goal for the right reasons?”
“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 dig deep in a way that smooth sailing does not.
Sometimes, we realize that what we thought we wanted wasn’t worth the struggle. Indeed, disengaging from goals that no longer matter is a predictor of happiness. Other times, the challenges reaffirm our commitment. Either way, we gain critical clarity.
4. Practicing Delayed Gratification
The ability to wait patiently for rewards is a key trait for success, especially in an age of instant gratification.
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.
5. Forcing us to learn to delegate better
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 weakness in the moment, but it is also an opportunity to excel in one of the most important skills of leadership. Delegation, done well, allows us to achieve more while also optimizing how we spend our time.
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.
It’s also a humbling experience: A reminder that success is rarely a solo endeavor.
A final thought
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.