July 19, 2025 • 9 mins
Ever feel like you’re stuck in the middle—motivated at the start, but suddenly lost in the grind? You’re not alone! “Stuck in the Middle: How to Stay Motivated When Progress Stalls” is the podcast that unpacks the universal struggle of losing steam halfway to your goals, and reveals the science-backed secrets to getting back on track.
We dive deep into why initial motivation fades, how our brains trick us into focusing on what’s left instead of how far we’ve come, and—most importantly—how to break big goals into bite-sized wins that keep you moving forward. Discover practical productivity tips, motivation strategies, and the power of community support and personal agency in overcoming obstacles, whether you’re chasing personal dreams or tackling big societal challenges.
Packed with relatable stories, witty insights, and a dash of controversy (yes, you really can make a difference!), this podcast is your go-to guide for getting unstuck and achieving success. If you’re ready to turn “stuck” into unstoppable, hit play, subscribe, and share with your tribe—because progress is a team sport, and your next win is closer than you think!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/life-hacks-diy-more-transform-your-everyday-with-simple-tricks-and-diy-magic--5995484/support.
We dive deep into why initial motivation fades, how our brains trick us into focusing on what’s left instead of how far we’ve come, and—most importantly—how to break big goals into bite-sized wins that keep you moving forward. Discover practical productivity tips, motivation strategies, and the power of community support and personal agency in overcoming obstacles, whether you’re chasing personal dreams or tackling big societal challenges.
Packed with relatable stories, witty insights, and a dash of controversy (yes, you really can make a difference!), this podcast is your go-to guide for getting unstuck and achieving success. If you’re ready to turn “stuck” into unstoppable, hit play, subscribe, and share with your tribe—because progress is a team sport, and your next win is closer than you think!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/life-hacks-diy-more-transform-your-everyday-with-simple-tricks-and-diy-magic--5995484/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
You know that feeling right, you're really diving into something,
(00:03):
maybe a big project or chasing some goal, and then bam, nothing,
It's like you hit a wall. All that forward momentum
just it operates. Suddenly you're not sure what to do next,
or maybe even worse, you start thinking, what's the point. Yeah,
it's just it feels paralyzing, and it doesn't really matter
what it is. Could be a work report, training for something,
(00:25):
or even thinking about, you know, the really big stuff
like social inequality or the climate crisis. That feeling of
being totally completely stuck. I think we all know it,
we absolutely do.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
And that feeling, that really frustrating motivational slump, that's exactly
what we want to unpack in this deep dive. We're
going to look at why we get stuck like that,
but more importantly, we'll dig into the source material for
some real actionable strategies to help you well get unstuck.
And these ideas they aren't just for you know, personal
productivity hacks. They apply just as much to tackling those
(00:56):
huge societal challenges that can feel so overwhelming.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Yeah, and here's where it gets really interesting. Our sources
point to something psychologist is actually called it stuck in
the middle effect. It sounds a bit strange, but it
describes how our motivation is often highest, like right at
the start and then again right near the end, but
that big chunk in the middle it can feel like, well,
like a void motivation wise, It's sort of like running
a marathon, isn't it. Those first few miles you're excited,
(01:20):
you've got all this energy, and the last mile, okay,
you can see the finish line, maybe hear the crowd.
But miles ten through twenty, ugh, that's the real mental grind,
where the end feels impossibly far off and every step
feels slower exactly.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
And what's fascinating, truly fascinating here is why this happens.
It seems to be down to this subtle shift and
how we think about our progress. See, when you first
start something, anything you do, even a small step, feels
like a big win. Your brain is basically comparing where
you are now to where you start at zero. Think
about someone just starting marathon training. Like you said, that
first short shot feels amazing because you're not on the
(01:56):
couch anymore. But the longer you go, the more your
focus tends to drift towards the finish line, that distant
end goal. It's almost like your internal reference point changes.
So instead of celebrating how far you've come, you start
dwelling on how much is left to do? And that well,
that can really drain your motivation.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Okay, I can totally see how that mental shift could
just pull the rug out from under you. But thinking
about those massive goals, like say climate change or deep
rooted social issues, isn't it kind of rational to feel
overwhelmed by just the sheer size of it all? Our
sources definitely highlight that when you only look at the
enormous end result, it's so easy to feel like, well,
what can I possibly do? It makes sense then, that
(02:37):
striking twenty twenty one global survey finding that over half
of young people feel like humanity is doomed that kind
of scale, it could just make you want to give up, right,
even if you care a lot. So how do the
sources suggest we deal with that without falling into despair?
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Right? That's the crucial question. And the first practical strategy
or sources offer is actually about recalibrating how you measure progress.
It's about breaking things down, taking that huge overwhelming pursuit
and chopping it into smaller, much more achievable sub goals.
This isn't just about making it look easier. It actually
changes the game. It turns this giant mountain into a
(03:10):
series of smaller hills you can climb one by one,
each little step, each sub goal you hit. It gives
you a little boost, a little win. It creates these
less scary benchmarks to compare your progress against, and really importantly,
it gives you more chances to actually celebrate progress along
the way. That keeps the momentum going.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Oh, I've definitely felt that. I remember trying to learn
a new language. The idea of being fluent seemed impossible,
but when I changed it to okay, master this one
verb tense, then learn ten new words today, then try
a five minute chat, each little thing felt like, yes,
I did that, a small victory. And I guess for
those massive societal goals, Knowing that even one small action,
(03:49):
maybe signing a petition or joining a local group, is
a win in itself and celebrating it that helps build momentum,
especially when it feels like your individual effort is just
any drop in a huge ocean. Those drops, they do
add up.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
They really do. But this brings up another pretty interesting
point from the research, is just caring deeply being passionate?
Is that enough? Our sources actually challenge that common idea.
It's not just about how concerned or passionate you are.
There's research showing that even among people who are say
most alarmed about climate change, maybe only about a third
of them actually take regular actions. So that makes you think, well,
what's the difference. Then, if it's not just about caring,
(04:26):
what is it.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
That's a really powerful point. Yeah, so awareness isn't the
final step. You need something more. And the key insight
our sources bring out is confidence. Confidence that your personal
involvement can actually make a difference, believing that what you
do can contribute, can help move the needle. And crucially,
this belief isn't just wishful thinking. I mean, look at
(04:48):
history right, social progress, scientific breakthroughs, their proof that change
is possible, often starting with just a few determined people.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
And what's truly fascinating here is how those seemingly small
individu dual actions really add up. Things like you know,
volunteering your time for a cause you believe in, making
sure you vote, maybe joining a peaceful protest. We're just
personally contributing somehow to a shared goal. These actions, they
might feel small on their own, but they are absolutely
essential for building that collective momentum. That's what starts to
(05:17):
tackle these issues that look completely impenetrable at first glance.
It's that ripple effect starting from individual choices.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
But that doesn't mean concern or passion or useless right,
not at all. Our sources explain that actually, moral outrage,
that feeling of anger about injustice, it definitely has a place,
and you can channel it correctly, it can be incredibly powerful.
It focuses everyone's attention on what's really at stake. Think
about the American civil rights movement, for example, that shared
anger over terrible injustice. It really galvanized diverse groups of
(05:47):
people that brought them together in that fight for equality.
So that strong emotion directed purposefully can become this huge
force for change.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
That's a really important distinction, isn't it. The sources seem
to suggest that while feeling powerless leads to paralysis, that
moral outrage, if channeled right, can spark the very confidence
and action we're talking about. It provides that initial powerful push.
But it's the belief that you can make an impact
that keeps things going long term. And another key part
of sustaining that momentum is bringing different people together, people
(06:18):
with different backgrounds, different ways of thinking. That diversity is
vital for making any movement or even just a personal
project last and be resilient, Which raises a good question
for you, the listener, how can you bring your own
unique perspective, your skills, your experience into a collaborative effort.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
Yeah, that's where finding your community, your group comes in.
And our sources really light up when talking about the
benefits here. It's not just one thing, it's several. First motivation,
just seeing other people working hard on the same thing
that can be surprisingly motivate. It creates this positive cycle.
They inspire you, you inspire them. It's like going to
the gym versus trying to work out alone at home.
(06:57):
Seeing others push themselves helps you push yourself. Second, problem solving,
when you hit a snag, when you're not sure what
the next step is, talking it through with others, bouncing
ideas around. It's way more effective than being stuck in
your own head. You get different viewpoints, different solutions. You
might not have thought of, and maybe the biggest one
support and inspiration. Just knowing you're not alone having people
(07:19):
encourage you. That provides inspiration, even joy, especially when you
feel totally worn out or defeated or well stuck again.
Think about study groups getting you through exams, or a
volunteer team making a big project happen bit by bit.
There's definitely a kind of magic in that shared effort.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Absolutely, and ultimately, the sources bring us back to a
fundamental truth. The road to achieving anything significant, whether it's
personal or something much bigger, it's usually long, and it's
pretty much guaranteed to have these sticking points along the way.
It's rarely, if ever, just a smooth straight line.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Right, So, when you've tried breaking it down, you're working
on your confidence, you found your community, but you still
feel stuck. Okay, let's unpack this. Our sources offer this
final piece of advice that sounds almost too simple, but
it's incredibly powerful. Often, the very best way to get
unstuck is just to take any action, any action at all,
no matter how small it seems or how imperfect the
(08:15):
result might be. It's about just doing something to break
that inertia that feeling of being frozen. Progress really does
start with writing that very next sentence, even if it's clunky,
or running that extra bit even if it's slow, or yes,
casting that single vote to try and build a better future.
It's about that first, tiny, maybe imperfect step forward that
shatters the paralysis.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
So, just to wrap up our deep dive today, we've
looked at a few key strategies breaking down those huge
goals into smaller, bite sized pieces. Really cultivating that personal confidence,
that belief that you can make a difference, Understanding the
power of collective action, how individual efforts build momentum together,
and of course embracing the strength and support you find
in community. These aren't just nice ideas, they're real, practical
(08:57):
ways to get moving again. So if we connect this
back to you, maybe think about this, what's one small,
maybe even imperfect action you could take today towards a
goal where you feel stuck. What stands out to you
as the most helpful idea, the most impactful nugget from
our chat today that you could put into practice right now?
Speaker 1 (09:17):
That's a great question. The Leaf folks with thank you
so much for joining us on this deep dive into
getting unstuck. And keeping that motivation alive. We really hope
these insights spark your next step forward, whatever your goal
might be.
You know that feeling right, you're really diving into something,
(00:03):
maybe a big project or chasing some goal, and then bam, nothing,
It's like you hit a wall. All that forward momentum
just it operates. Suddenly you're not sure what to do next,
or maybe even worse, you start thinking, what's the point. Yeah,
it's just it feels paralyzing, and it doesn't really matter
what it is. Could be a work report, training for something,
(00:25):
or even thinking about, you know, the really big stuff
like social inequality or the climate crisis. That feeling of
being totally completely stuck. I think we all know it,
we absolutely do.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
And that feeling, that really frustrating motivational slump, that's exactly
what we want to unpack in this deep dive. We're
going to look at why we get stuck like that,
but more importantly, we'll dig into the source material for
some real actionable strategies to help you well get unstuck.
And these ideas they aren't just for you know, personal
productivity hacks. They apply just as much to tackling those
(00:56):
huge societal challenges that can feel so overwhelming.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Yeah, and here's where it gets really interesting. Our sources
point to something psychologist is actually called it stuck in
the middle effect. It sounds a bit strange, but it
describes how our motivation is often highest, like right at
the start and then again right near the end, but
that big chunk in the middle it can feel like, well,
like a void motivation wise, It's sort of like running
a marathon, isn't it. Those first few miles you're excited,
(01:20):
you've got all this energy, and the last mile, okay,
you can see the finish line, maybe hear the crowd.
But miles ten through twenty, ugh, that's the real mental grind,
where the end feels impossibly far off and every step
feels slower exactly.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
And what's fascinating, truly fascinating here is why this happens.
It seems to be down to this subtle shift and
how we think about our progress. See, when you first
start something, anything you do, even a small step, feels
like a big win. Your brain is basically comparing where
you are now to where you start at zero. Think
about someone just starting marathon training. Like you said, that
first short shot feels amazing because you're not on the
(01:56):
couch anymore. But the longer you go, the more your
focus tends to drift towards the finish line, that distant
end goal. It's almost like your internal reference point changes.
So instead of celebrating how far you've come, you start
dwelling on how much is left to do? And that well,
that can really drain your motivation.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Okay, I can totally see how that mental shift could
just pull the rug out from under you. But thinking
about those massive goals, like say climate change or deep
rooted social issues, isn't it kind of rational to feel
overwhelmed by just the sheer size of it all? Our
sources definitely highlight that when you only look at the
enormous end result, it's so easy to feel like, well,
what can I possibly do? It makes sense then, that
(02:37):
striking twenty twenty one global survey finding that over half
of young people feel like humanity is doomed that kind
of scale, it could just make you want to give up, right,
even if you care a lot. So how do the
sources suggest we deal with that without falling into despair?
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Right? That's the crucial question. And the first practical strategy
or sources offer is actually about recalibrating how you measure progress.
It's about breaking things down, taking that huge overwhelming pursuit
and chopping it into smaller, much more achievable sub goals.
This isn't just about making it look easier. It actually
changes the game. It turns this giant mountain into a
(03:10):
series of smaller hills you can climb one by one,
each little step, each sub goal you hit. It gives
you a little boost, a little win. It creates these
less scary benchmarks to compare your progress against, and really importantly,
it gives you more chances to actually celebrate progress along
the way. That keeps the momentum going.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Oh, I've definitely felt that. I remember trying to learn
a new language. The idea of being fluent seemed impossible,
but when I changed it to okay, master this one
verb tense, then learn ten new words today, then try
a five minute chat, each little thing felt like, yes,
I did that, a small victory. And I guess for
those massive societal goals, Knowing that even one small action,
(03:49):
maybe signing a petition or joining a local group, is
a win in itself and celebrating it that helps build momentum,
especially when it feels like your individual effort is just
any drop in a huge ocean. Those drops, they do
add up.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
They really do. But this brings up another pretty interesting
point from the research, is just caring deeply being passionate?
Is that enough? Our sources actually challenge that common idea.
It's not just about how concerned or passionate you are.
There's research showing that even among people who are say
most alarmed about climate change, maybe only about a third
of them actually take regular actions. So that makes you think, well,
what's the difference. Then, if it's not just about caring,
(04:26):
what is it.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
That's a really powerful point. Yeah, so awareness isn't the
final step. You need something more. And the key insight
our sources bring out is confidence. Confidence that your personal
involvement can actually make a difference, believing that what you
do can contribute, can help move the needle. And crucially,
this belief isn't just wishful thinking. I mean, look at
(04:48):
history right, social progress, scientific breakthroughs, their proof that change
is possible, often starting with just a few determined people.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
And what's truly fascinating here is how those seemingly small
individu dual actions really add up. Things like you know,
volunteering your time for a cause you believe in, making
sure you vote, maybe joining a peaceful protest. We're just
personally contributing somehow to a shared goal. These actions, they
might feel small on their own, but they are absolutely
essential for building that collective momentum. That's what starts to
(05:17):
tackle these issues that look completely impenetrable at first glance.
It's that ripple effect starting from individual choices.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
But that doesn't mean concern or passion or useless right,
not at all. Our sources explain that actually, moral outrage,
that feeling of anger about injustice, it definitely has a place,
and you can channel it correctly, it can be incredibly powerful.
It focuses everyone's attention on what's really at stake. Think
about the American civil rights movement, for example, that shared
anger over terrible injustice. It really galvanized diverse groups of
(05:47):
people that brought them together in that fight for equality.
So that strong emotion directed purposefully can become this huge
force for change.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
That's a really important distinction, isn't it. The sources seem
to suggest that while feeling powerless leads to paralysis, that
moral outrage, if channeled right, can spark the very confidence
and action we're talking about. It provides that initial powerful push.
But it's the belief that you can make an impact
that keeps things going long term. And another key part
of sustaining that momentum is bringing different people together, people
(06:18):
with different backgrounds, different ways of thinking. That diversity is
vital for making any movement or even just a personal
project last and be resilient, Which raises a good question
for you, the listener, how can you bring your own
unique perspective, your skills, your experience into a collaborative effort.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
Yeah, that's where finding your community, your group comes in.
And our sources really light up when talking about the
benefits here. It's not just one thing, it's several. First motivation,
just seeing other people working hard on the same thing
that can be surprisingly motivate. It creates this positive cycle.
They inspire you, you inspire them. It's like going to
the gym versus trying to work out alone at home.
(06:57):
Seeing others push themselves helps you push yourself. Second, problem solving,
when you hit a snag, when you're not sure what
the next step is, talking it through with others, bouncing
ideas around. It's way more effective than being stuck in
your own head. You get different viewpoints, different solutions. You
might not have thought of, and maybe the biggest one
support and inspiration. Just knowing you're not alone having people
(07:19):
encourage you. That provides inspiration, even joy, especially when you
feel totally worn out or defeated or well stuck again.
Think about study groups getting you through exams, or a
volunteer team making a big project happen bit by bit.
There's definitely a kind of magic in that shared effort.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Absolutely, and ultimately, the sources bring us back to a
fundamental truth. The road to achieving anything significant, whether it's
personal or something much bigger, it's usually long, and it's
pretty much guaranteed to have these sticking points along the way.
It's rarely, if ever, just a smooth straight line.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Right, So, when you've tried breaking it down, you're working
on your confidence, you found your community, but you still
feel stuck. Okay, let's unpack this. Our sources offer this
final piece of advice that sounds almost too simple, but
it's incredibly powerful. Often, the very best way to get
unstuck is just to take any action, any action at all,
no matter how small it seems or how imperfect the
(08:15):
result might be. It's about just doing something to break
that inertia that feeling of being frozen. Progress really does
start with writing that very next sentence, even if it's clunky,
or running that extra bit even if it's slow, or yes,
casting that single vote to try and build a better future.
It's about that first, tiny, maybe imperfect step forward that
shatters the paralysis.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
So, just to wrap up our deep dive today, we've
looked at a few key strategies breaking down those huge
goals into smaller, bite sized pieces. Really cultivating that personal confidence,
that belief that you can make a difference, Understanding the
power of collective action, how individual efforts build momentum together,
and of course embracing the strength and support you find
in community. These aren't just nice ideas, they're real, practical
(08:57):
ways to get moving again. So if we connect this
back to you, maybe think about this, what's one small,
maybe even imperfect action you could take today towards a
goal where you feel stuck. What stands out to you
as the most helpful idea, the most impactful nugget from
our chat today that you could put into practice right now?
Speaker 1 (09:17):
That's a great question. The Leaf folks with thank you
so much for joining us on this deep dive into
getting unstuck. And keeping that motivation alive. We really hope
these insights spark your next step forward, whatever your goal
might be.
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