How to Regain Momentum and Overcome Uncertainty: 5 Practical Steps to Getting Unstuck And Finding Motivation Again
We’ve all experienced it—that sinking feeling when you hit a wall at work, and momentum just disappears. You’re stuck, unmotivated, uncertain and no matter how hard you try, nothing seems to get you back on track.
It feels like quicksand. The more you reach for motivation or grasp at new ideas the more you sink into unproductivity.
It’s frustrating.
And it happens to everyone. But the key is identifying it quickly when it happens. And then knowing how to overcome this lack of motivation and regain momentum.
Tasks that once felt manageable now feel like mountains. You're caught up in too many competing priorities. Or life threw you a curveball that knocked you off course.
No matter what the cause, running into obstacles and setbacks is normal. But here's where things usually go wrong: when you're feeling stuck or unsure, it's easy to start reaching for quick fixes or anything that seems like an easy solution.
You’ve experienced it before. You scroll through your social media feed, and there’s a shiny new productivity hack, a trendy tool, or a “proven” system someone swears by.
But the problem with chasing everything that comes across your feed is that you end up spreading yourself thin, distracted by strategies that don’t actually align with what matters. Worse, you might jump into something only to realize it’s not designed for your specific challenges, leaving you feeling even more frustrated.
What I don’t recommend is trying to force your way out of the rut by adopting every new method that pops up or by pushing through without a clear direction.
Waiting for the right wave to come in is better than aimlessly chasing distractions that aren’t going to solve the problem.
When you feel like you’ve lost motivation, feel uncertain and want to regain momentum, what you need to do is to refocus on the fundamentals—what’s worked for you in the past, what aligns with your true goals, and where you can make immediate, meaningful progress.
5 Practical Steps to Get Unstuck
Below are five practical, targeted steps you can take to regain your momentum. These aren’t about jumping onto the next bandwagon or overloading yourself with unnecessary tasks. These are specific, strategic actions that’ll help you stop spinning your wheels and get back on track without wasting your time on things that don’t matter.
1. Optimize Something That’s Old
If you’re feeling stuck, the answer isn’t always to start something new. Zero to one is harder than 1 to 2. Start with something already finished.
Try optimizing something you’ve already built. Maybe you have a project that’s been sitting on the back burner, a process that needs refining, or content that could use a refresh. Revisiting and improving something old can reignite your productivity.
When you optimize something old, you’re not starting from scratch. You already have a foundation to build on, and the effort required to tweak and enhance it is much lower than launching something brand new. Plus, getting a quick win from these smaller efforts can boost your motivation and get the ball rolling.
Example: If you have an email onboarding campaign that hasn’t been updated in a year, take 30 minutes to tweak it. Refresh the content, update the design, or revise the call to action. It’s a low-effort way to get an instant win and regain momentum in your work.
2. Do a Serious Goal-Setting Session
When you feel lost or off track, it’s often because your goals are unclear or outdated.
The best way to overcome this is with a deep dive refocusing goal-setting session. But not just any goals—you need my E.P.I.C. Goals.
Unlike traditional goals, or SMART goals, EPIC goals Excite you, you can Picture them, they have an Impact and you’re Committed to them.
They give you direction and purpose, which is critical for getting unstuck.
““If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes.” —”
Start by reflecting on your current objectives.
Are they still relevant? If not, set new E.P.I.C. goals that align with your current situation and long-term vision.
Maybe you’re feeling stuck because you’re subconsciously not attached to your current project and tasks. There’s a part of you that knows you should be working on something else.
Example: Here’s example questions you could ask yourself about the “PICTURING IT” portion of your goals:
Picture - Can You Picture it?
a. Can you picture doing what it takes during to achieve it?
b. Can you picture what things look like after you’ve done it?
c. What will your world look like after achieving it?
d. What is important to you about this new world? New picture?
3. Test a Radical Change in Routine
Sometimes, the lack of motivation comes from being too stuck in your current routine. Good or bad.
You do the same thing every day, and over time, that predictability can make you feel sluggish, or bored.
The solution? Shake up your routine.
A radical change in routine can provide the shock your brain needs to reset and get unstuck.
Try working in a different location, switching up your hours, or even flipping your entire schedule. These changes force you to approach tasks with a fresh perspective, which can lead to bursts of creativity and renewed focus.
Example: If you usually work late into the night, try starting your day early with a focused work session. Shifting your routine helps break up the monotony and can dramatically increase productivity.
Or perhaps you are hardcore committed to a millionaire morning routine, where you’re doing breathwork, journaling, cold plunge, meditation, yoga, etc.
Stop it. Simplify it. Either just go for a walk or start doing work immediately.
Get out of your routine.
4. Identify Your 'To-Don't' List
We all have habits or tasks that drain our energy or waste time. These can often be the silent killers of productivity. Instead of just focusing on what you need to do, create a ‘To-Don’t’ List—a list of things you need to stop doing to regain control of your time and energy.
This strategy helps you identify the distractions, time-wasting activities, and low-value tasks that are pulling you off track. Whether it’s mindlessly scrolling through social media or responding to every email the moment it hits your inbox, eliminating these distractions will free up mental space to focus on high-impact tasks.
When you feel overwhelmed with too much to do and you’re not sure where to start or what to prioritize, start with what NOT TO DO.
Charlie Munger has a concept of inverse thinking.
Munger is famous for advocating "Invert, always invert." Instead of only asking how to succeed, ask yourself, "What actions could lead to failure?" and then actively avoid them.
When applied to productivity, this means identifying behaviors that are dragging you down—like constantly checking social media, responding to every email as it comes in, or multitasking on low-priority tasks—and removing them from your routine.
Creating your ‘To-Don’t’ List is about spotting these unproductive habits and eliminating them. By focusing on what not to do, you free up mental energy and clear the path for meaningful, focused work.
Example: If you find yourself constantly distracted by your phone, add “No checking social media before lunch” to your ‘To-Don’t’ List. Removing these distractions will help you stay on track and get unstuck by focusing only on tasks that truly matter.
This approach aligns with Munger’s philosophy: avoiding failure is often the quickest path to success.
5. Declutter Your Work Environment
A cluttered workspace often leads to a cluttered mind. If you’re feeling unproductive, one of the easiest ways to overcome that lack of motivation is to declutter your work environment. Whether it’s physical clutter on your desk or digital clutter in your files, organizing your space can provide the mental clarity you need to regain momentum.
Spend 30 minutes clearing out old papers, organizing your desktop, or streamlining your workflow. By eliminating the chaos, you create a more focused environment where it’s easier to dive into meaningful work.
Example: Take some time to clean your desk, delete unnecessary files from your computer, and organize your project folders. A clean workspace equals a clear mind, which will help you get unstuck and back into a productive flow.
WHAT NOW?
Getting stuck is inevitable, but staying stuck is a choice.
Instead of trying every trendy productivity hack or waiting for inspiration to strike, focus on these five practical strategies to regain momentum. Whether you’re optimizing something old, setting EPIC goals, shaking up your routine, eliminating distractions, or decluttering your workspace, these steps will help you overcome lack of motivation and get moving again.
Take action today by picking one of these strategies and implementing it. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can break through the inertia and rediscover your productivity.
Here’s 3 things you can do right now:
1. READ HOW TO STOP PROCRASTINATING: START TAKING ACTION
2. DOWNLOAD THE DAILY LEADS/WEEKLY APPOINTMENTS GUIDE: INSTANT ACCESS
3. SCHEDULE A LEVEL UP ACCELERATOR: ONE DAY DEEP DIVE