Help! I'm Stuck in a Rut – How to Find Clarity & Move Forward

Have you ever felt stuck? You know you want more from life, but you’re not even sure what that looks like. Maybe your current job or routine feels unfulfilling, but the path ahead seems unclear. If that resonates, you’re not alone—and this article is for you.

The good news? The clues to your next steps are already around you. You just need to know where to look. In this blog and episode 9 of The Solo Coach Podcast, I’ll share five powerful questions (plus a bonus!) that helped me uncover my purpose and might just do the same for you.

1. What Do You Love to Consume?

Think about the books, podcasts, and videos you naturally gravitate towards. What topics pull you in? If you walk into a bookshop, which section do you head for?

For years, I was unknowingly surrounding myself with personal development content—reading books by Jay Shetty, listening to Tony Robbins, following mindset coaches on social media. But at the time, I didn’t connect the dots. Looking back, the clues were there all along.

Your interests reveal insights about what excites you. So take a look at what you consume—there could be hints about your next career move or passion project hiding in plain sight.

2. What Topics Light You Up in Conversation?

If you could talk about one thing for hours without getting bored, what would it be? What’s the topic that makes your eyes light up when discussing it with friends or colleagues?

Maybe you love talking about fitness, technology, storytelling, or psychology. Maybe you find yourself sharing advice about a particular subject that people always come to you for. These topics could be a gateway to something bigger.

3. What Do You Love to Do Alone?

The true measure of what we love often lies in what we do when no one is watching. What activities bring you joy when you have free time? Do you love journaling, working on creative projects, problem-solving, or being out in nature?

For me, I found solace in solo travel. It gave me space to think, reflect, and gain clarity. I also realized that when I had alone time, I was always reflecting on personal growth—another sign pointing toward coaching.

If spending time alone makes you uncomfortable, that could also be an important insight. It might mean you haven’t yet learned to sit with your thoughts and truly understand yourself. Working with a coach or journaling could help uncover more clarity.

4. Who Do You Look Up To?

We often admire qualities in others that exist in ourselves—we just haven’t recognized them yet. Think about the people who inspire you. What do you respect about them?

For me, I always admired managers who were great listeners, public speakers, and mentors. They had a way of guiding teams and empowering people. Little did I know, those were all skills I would later develop as a coach.

Take a moment to reflect: Who are your role models? What about their work or personality appeals to you? Your admiration could be pointing you toward your future path.

5. If You Could Do Anything, What Would You Do?

If money, time, and fear weren’t obstacles, what would you spend your days doing? Would you be an artist? A teacher? A business owner? A traveler?

Of course, not every dream is practical in its exact form—but elements of that dream might be accessible to you. If you dream of being a travel influencer, maybe you could start a blog about local adventures. If you wish you could work in fitness but feel stuck in a corporate job, perhaps you could start by getting certified as a coach part-time.

The point isn’t to make your dream career happen overnight. It’s to recognize what excites you and start taking steps in that direction.

Bonus: Who Could Help You Get Unstuck?

If you feel stuck, don’t try to figure it all out alone. One of the most valuable things I ever did was hire a coach.

A great coach won’t tell you what to do—but they will help you see patterns, identify limiting beliefs, and hold you accountable for taking action. If working with a coach isn’t feasible, seek out mentors, friends, or even books that can guide you toward clarity.

Small actions, regular and often, trump large ones. That’s why money grows with compound interest. Growth on top of growth on top of growth equals major life transformation! Chip away at it and don’t get deterred. The answers are there, it might just take time for them to reveal themselves but remember…

The Time to Start is Now

There’s never a perfect time to make a change. If you’re waiting for the stars to align, you might be waiting forever. Instead, start small. Ask yourself these five questions, reflect on your answers, and take one small action today. Even if it’s just journaling about your thoughts or reaching out to someone for a conversation, progress starts with one step.

You’re not as stuck as you think. The answers are within you—you just need to uncover them.

Which question resonated most with you? Get in touch, I’d love to hear!

David Garwood
The Solo Coach