Unstuck.

A self-coaching exercise for when something in your work or life feels stuck. Five short stages take you from naming the problem to a plan you can start tomorrow.

Each stage you complete opens a lock. Open all five and your personal plan is ready to keep.

There are no wrong answers. Your first thoughts are usually the truest ones. About 15 minutes.

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Where are you in your leadership journey?

Choose one to begin.

STAGE 1 OF 5

Identify.

Choose one specific area of your life or career you want to improve. You'll name it, flip it, and frame it.

IDENTIFY

1 of 3

Name it.

What's the problem, and what is it costing you?

"I have too many meetings at work and it's draining."

IDENTIFY

2 of 3

Flip it.

Now say the opposite. Where is the opportunity hiding inside that problem?

"I have an opportunity to change how I work."

IDENTIFY

3 of 3

Frame it.

Turn the flip into the outcome you want.

"I want to be energized by my workday."

STAGE 2 OF 5

Identity.

Connect the change to who you are. Three quick reflections.

IDENTITY

1 of 3

Purpose.

Why is this important? Why does it matter so much to you?

"When I'm drained, I don't show up as the leader or the parent I want to be."

IDENTITY

2 of 3

High point.

Recall a time you thrived in this area, or watched someone else thrive. What can you learn from that example?

"On the redesign project we only met when there was a decision to make. I did my best work that quarter."

IDENTITY

3 of 3

Continuity.

Who do you want to be as you take this on? Which values, strengths, or principles will you carry forward?

"My calm and my focus. I want to protect the conditions where I do my best thinking."

STAGE 3 OF 5

Imagine.

You wake a year from now, and it has all come true. Look around — what are you seeing, hearing, feeling?

IMAGINE

One year from now

Seeing — "Whole mornings blocked for deep work."

Hearing — "My team running their own huddles."

Feeling — "Calm at four o'clock instead of frantic."

Fill in whichever land. One is enough.

STAGE 4 OF 5

Innovate.

Turn your vision into strategy. Get curious.

INNOVATE

1 of 2

Choose the possibility that pulls you most.

INNOVATE

2 of 2

How might I ...?

Two minutes. As many ideas as you can. No editing, no judging.

2:00

"I could decline any meeting that has no agenda."

STAGE 5 OF 5

Implement.

Bring your future to life. Small steps, starting now.

IMPLEMENT

1 of 2

The next week.

What 2 or 3 steps could you take?

"Audit my recurring meetings and cancel two."

IMPLEMENT

2 of 2

Today or tomorrow.

What's the very first thing you could do?

"Block Friday morning as a no-meeting zone."

Your Unstuck plan.