Why Feeling Stuck Isn’t the Problem—It’s Ignoring Your Hidden Strengths
Have you ever been so absorbed in a task that when you finally looked up, the world seemed different? Growing up in Southwest Georgia, summers meant long hours mowing the lawn. I’d spend what felt like an eternity staring at the blades of grass zipping by, fanning away gnats, and battling my Bahia grass allergy. By the time I would look up, the clouds would seem to race away from me. I always wondered what that was.
Fast forward to recently, I was running along the Caloosahatchee River in downtown Fort Myers, right under the Edison Bridge, and found myself staring down at the asphalt as I ran. After I finished, I slowed down to recover, and there it was again—the clouds racing away. It was like a memory from childhood coming back to life. This time, curiosity got the better of me, and I pulled out my phone to figure out what caused it. Turns out, it’s called the motion aftereffect.
This phenomenon tricks your brain—after focusing on something moving for a long time, the still world seems like it’s in motion. And if we’re not careful, we can mistake that illusion for reality. The same thing happens when we move through life without pausing to reflect. We think we see clearly, but our perception can get skewed. It’s only when we take a moment to stop and reflect that we start seeing things for what they really are.
Is Your Brain Taking Shortcuts?
In our busy lives, it’s easy to lose sight of reality. We get caught up in tasks and roles, and our sense of self becomes distorted. Maybe you’ve been working long hours, feeling stuck, or constantly overwhelmed. Maybe you’re trying to keep up with the demands of others, but something doesn’t feel right. You’re not alone. Tasha Eurich, in her book Insight, talks about how crucial it is to see ourselves clearly—because when we don’t, we risk making decisions that push us further off course and leave us feeling lost. Real clarity, both from our perspective and through the eyes of others, keeps us aligned with what truly matters.
Without reflection, we’re like someone who’s spent too long watching the grass zip by while mowing or staring down at the pavement during a long run—and then looking up and actually believing the clouds are racing away. It’s much like the motion aftereffect—our minds create this distortion, making us believe we’re on track when, in reality, we might be veering off course.
Sometimes we get so focused on the what that we forget the why. It’s like going to a restaurant, ordering a meal, and then eating the menu instead of the food. The menu is just a symbol, meant to point you to the real experience. When we get caught up in tasks, roles, or chasing achievements, we’re only engaging with symbols of progress instead of connecting to the true purpose behind them. It’s a little like the motion aftereffect—mistaking the racing clouds for real movement, just like mistaking the menu for the meal. That’s why you need to pause and reflect—to make sure you’re pursuing the actual purpose, not just chasing what represents it.
Pause and Gain Real Clarity
When you’ve been working hard but still feel stuck, it’s easy to assume that doubling down on effort is the answer. But have you ever felt that, despite your hard work, you’re not moving forward? That’s when many people turn to a Gallup®-Certified Strengths Coach and are surprised by what they discover. Often, the problem isn’t that they’re not talented enough—it’s that they’ve been relying on learned skills and constantly trying to overcome weaknesses instead of focusing on their natural strengths.
Imagine a marketing director who’s been told to focus on sharpening their data analysis skills to “round out” their abilities. They end up spending so much time forcing themselves through spreadsheets that they lose sight of the creativity and strategy they once brought to their role—the very talents that made them effective in the first place.
Taking a pause goes beyond just taking a break—it focuses on gaining clarity. Imagine stopping for a moment and asking yourself: What strengths am I not using? Which ones are out of balance? It’s in these moments of reflection that you start seeing the full picture.
Reconnect With Your Strengths Through Reflection
Pausing to reflect gives you the space to reconnect with what makes you unique. Maybe you’ve been pushing yourself too hard, pushing towards goals without taking a break. Or perhaps you’ve been so focused on overcoming areas of weakness that you’ve lost sight of what truly energizes you. When was the last time you stopped to really think about what’s working for you and what’s holding you back?
Pause for a moment right now. Ask yourself: What parts of my day feel draining? When do I feel truly in my element? Write down the first things that come to mind. Taking time to reflect helps you realign with what truly matters, ensuring that your natural talents and efforts are in balance with your personal goals.
Tasha Eurich reminds us that self-awareness involves recognizing our abilities and understanding how to use them in ways that benefit both ourselves and those around us.
Make the Shift Today
I didn’t stop until burnout forced me to. It was rough, not because I was just tired, but because I felt disconnected from everything that mattered. I couldn’t even picture what the future should look like—it all felt empty. That experience is a big reason I became a coach. I don’t believe anyone should push themselves to that point—and I believe everyone deserves to feel successful and purposeful every day. Don’t wait until burnout leaves you feeling lost and unsure of where to go next. Take the reins now. Spend just five minutes reflecting on your natural talents today—because the sooner you get clarity, the faster you’ll move forward with purpose.
When you reconnect with what makes you come alive, you stop settling for empty symbols of success and start living a life that feels real again.
Key Takeaways:
Just like the motion aftereffect tricks your vision, staying busy without reflection distorts how you see yourself.
Pausing to reflect helps you regain clarity and reconnect with your strengths.
Real breakthroughs happen when you stop, reflect, and let your strengths guide your next steps.
Ready to See Yourself More Clearly?
If you’re interested in learning more about the importance of self-awareness and reflection, check out Insight by Tasha Eurich. Her research and insights provide practical tools to help you see yourself more clearly and live a more purposeful life.
Grab your copy on Amazon here.
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