Feeling stuck? Six steps to help you move forward

Like you, I've been stuck.

I've been stuck in a job I didn't like. It paid the bills. I liked the people I worked with. I knew I wanted something else, but the thought of stepping outside my comfort zone terrified me. So I stayed where I was. Safe, comfortable and, if I'm honest, increasingly unhappy.

Then one day I saw a sign on the Tube that read:

"It is safer to stay on the train than attempting to get off."

Suddenly I realised I was staying safe on my own "train". Although getting off felt risky, I knew I wanted the excitement of discovering where a different journey might take me.

It's easy to tell ourselves that we'll make a change one day. But before we know it, months or even years have passed.

After five years, I finally decided to leave. I handed in my notice and became excited about planning my next adventure. It has been a long journey, but I'm now doing work I genuinely love, and I'm passionate about helping other people find work that feels right for them too.

If you're feeling stuck, here is a simple coaching exercise that may help you begin moving forward. You don't have to complete it over six consecutive days, but by working through each step, you'll begin creating space to think differently about your future.

Day 1 – Take a breather

Find some time away from the normal pace of life, even if it's only for half an hour.

Leave your phone behind if you can, find somewhere peaceful and simply think.

How does your life feel at the moment?

How would you like it to feel?

What small change could you make that would begin moving you in that direction?

Day 2 – Talk it through

Someone once said:

"I know myself best when I hear myself speak."

I've always thought there was a lot of truth in that.

Find someone you trust and ask if they'll simply listen while you talk through what's on your mind.

They don't need to solve your problems or offer advice. Sometimes having the space to hear your own thoughts out loud is enough to bring surprising clarity.

Day 3 – Create a vision

Once you've identified what you'd like to change, make a list or create a vision board of everything you'd love your future to include.

Imagine your ideal future in as much detail as possible.

What would your working life look like?

How would you feel?

What would be different?

Allow yourself to think beyond what's practical for a while and simply explore what's possible.

Day 4 – Meet your future self

Imagine that time travel is possible.

Tomorrow morning your future self arrives to visit you.

They've already created the life you're hoping for and have travelled back to help you get started.

What advice would they give you?

What five things would they tell you to do first?

Write them down.

Day 5 – Take the first step

Now it's time to begin.

Work through your action plan one step at a time and celebrate every piece of progress you make.

Some people enjoy ticking tasks off a list. Others reward themselves after completing an important step.

Whatever motivates you, remember that meaningful change is usually the result of many small actions rather than one giant leap.

Day 6 – Keep the momentum going

Take time to reflect on everything you've discovered during the week.

What have you learned about yourself?

What's your next step?

What support do you need to keep moving forward?

Your plans may evolve, and that's perfectly normal. The important thing is to keep checking in with yourself and making choices that move you closer to the life you want to create.

Changing direction rarely happens overnight, but every positive step builds confidence for the next one.

Your future won't change simply because you hope it will.

It changes because, one day, you decide to step off the train.