Why you feel stuck — and how to get motivated - Shannon Odell

Many people experience feeling stuck, whether in small tasks or large societal problems. Psychologists call this the "stuck in the middle" effect, where initial motivation fades and focus shifts from progress made to the distance remaining to the end goal. This can lead to frustration and disengagement.

To combat feeling stuck, break large pursuits into smaller, achievable sub-goals. This creates more manageable benchmarks and provides more opportunities to celebrate successes along the way, maintaining motivation. This is particularly crucial for complex societal goals where the end goal can seem overwhelming.

While concern is important, the key factor for staying motivated and engaged is the confidence that personal involvement can make a difference. History shows that individual actions, like volunteering or voting, build collective momentum to tackle seemingly insurmountable issues, proving that change is possible.

Moral outrage can help focus on what's at stake and, when harnessed correctly, can be a powerful unifier, as seen in the American Civil Rights Movement. Finding community and collaborating with others provides support, inspiration, and helps with problem-solving, creating a positive feedback loop and resilience in any movement.

The path to any goal will have sticking points. Often, the best way to get unstuck is to take any action, no matter how small or imperfect. Progress begins with taking that next step, whether it's writing a sentence, running a mile, or casting a vote.