Some Thoughts on Getting Unstuck Part 2
Earlier today I shared some thoughts around helping people get unstuck, something that’s been on my heart a lot lately. I don’t normally post twice in one day, but I think it would be more beneficial for this to all be one big conversation. It’s a lot so maybe save both for your weekend.
As a follow-up, I want to share a deeper reflection that came out of powerful conversations I had with three of the most influential mentors and coaches in my life. Here is the question we pondered after everyone, absorbed my Part 1 post:
DOES WISDOM ACTUALLY MOVE THE NEEDLE FOR PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE STUCK?
There is zero doubt that each of them has played a massive role in my growth, transformations, and the realization of some of my biggest dreams. Between us, we’ve spent decades mentoring and coaching others—and the central question we wrestled with was this:
Does wisdom alone move the needle when someone is stuck?
Not “is wisdom valuable?” because of course it is. Wisdom is shared every day in books, podcasts, sermons, reels, and conversations. But does wisdom alone truly help people get unstuck?
I think most of us would agree that, while wisdom can be the spark that ignites change, it’s not always the norm. In fact, I’ve come to believe that wisdom often doesn’t land when someone is stuck, at least, not until they’ve already started looking for a way out.
It seems like wisdom only sticks when we’re ready to receive it. When we’re actively searching for a lifeline, a tactic, a way forward. And when that’s the case, is it even wisdom at that point, or is it just the right tool at the right time?
Here’s a deeper layer I’ve come to see:
In personal development, I believe everything falls into one of two buckets:
- Helping people get unstuck
- Helping people perform better
Wisdom gets shared on both sides, but I’ve rarely paused to question how effective it really is for those who are stuck. And yet, as any coach or mentor knows, it’s painfully obvious when wisdom doesn’t work, it’s like water off a duck’s back.
Interesting thoughts for a weekend
