Some days, it feels like you’re pouring everything you’ve got into something that’s giving you absolutely nothing back.
Whether it’s your work, relationships, health, or just life in general, it can feel like progress is invisible, and all you’ve got left is doubt. But even when everything feels stuck, it doesn’t always mean you’re doing it wrong. Sometimes, it just means you’re in the middle of something that hasn’t fully revealed itself yet. Here are some simple ways to keep going when you’re not sure anything’s working. Some of these are easier said than done, but the more you practise, the easier they’ll become.
1. Let go of the need to see instant results.
One of the biggest reasons we burn out is because we expect to see immediate feedback for our efforts. But not everything works like that—especially the stuff that really matters. Growth often happens in the background, in the small changes you don’t notice until much later. So if you can, stop demanding visible proof that things are moving. Trust that some changes are happening under the surface, and your job right now is just to keep showing up, not to micromanage the outcome.
2. Shrink the goal until it’s manageable.
When you’re overwhelmed, even a good plan can feel like too much. So, instead of trying to keep up with a huge goal that’s draining you, scale it down. Focus on one task, one hour, one step at a time. It’s not about giving up on the bigger picture—it’s about making things feel doable again. You don’t need to conquer everything today. You just need to do something you won’t regret tomorrow.
3. Remind yourself why you started.
When things get blurry, go back to the original reason you even cared. What mattered to you back then? What were you hoping for? You might not be there yet, but you’re still closer than you were before. That early spark doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be honest. Use it like a breadcrumb trail when you feel lost. Sometimes reconnecting with your “why” is more powerful than pushing harder.
4. Accept that doubt doesn’t mean failure.
Feeling unsure doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. It just means you’re human. Doubt shows up most when we’re in the thick of things—doing something vulnerable, uncertain, or meaningful. Instead of treating doubt as a stop sign, treat it like a road marker. It means you care, it means you’re trying, and it means you’re doing something brave. Keep going.
5. Take breaks without guilt.
Pushing through exhaustion isn’t a badge of honour—it’s a fast track to burnout. Rest isn’t quitting. It’s part of how you keep going. The key is not to disappear forever, but to allow yourself to pause and come back with a little more energy. If your body or mind is asking for a break, listen. You’re not weak for needing rest. You’re wise for taking it before you hit a wall. Recovery is what makes endurance possible.
6. Focus on effort, not outcome.
Some days, the only thing you can measure is the fact that you showed up. That’s not nothing—it’s everything. Results will come and go, but the habit of showing up for yourself builds resilience, even when the scoreboard isn’t changing. If you can keep putting one foot in front of the other, even when it feels pointless, that’s strength. The people who eventually see results are usually the ones who kept going during the quiet parts.
7. Stop comparing your progress.
It’s almost impossible to keep going when your mind is constantly measuring your journey against someone else’s. The thing is, their wins don’t invalidate your effort, and their timeline has nothing to do with yours. Progress isn’t linear, and it’s definitely not a race. Your path is allowed to look different. What matters is that it’s yours—and that you’re still moving, even when no one sees it.
8. Celebrate anything that’s working.
When everything feels stuck, it’s easy to overlook the little things that actually are going okay. Maybe you’ve kept up a habit, handled something better than you would’ve six months ago, or simply made it through a hard day. That counts. Recognising those small wins helps remind your brain that not everything’s falling apart, and that progress doesn’t always look like a big breakthrough. Sometimes it just looks like holding on.
9. Reconnect with people who get it.
Isolation makes self-doubt louder. So talk to someone who’s been through it, who knows what it’s like to feel stuck but keep trying anyway. Not to fix things—just to feel less alone in it. Even a quick conversation with someone who understands your pace, your fears, or your goals can help you remember that you’re not the only one going through this kind of fog.
10. Focus on what you can control.
When everything feels uncertain, narrowing your focus can bring relief. You can’t control results, other people’s reactions, or external timelines. However, you can control what you do today, how you speak to yourself, and what you put your energy into. That’s where your power is. Ground yourself in what’s within reach, and let the rest go, even just for now. You’ll feel lighter, and the next step will usually feel clearer.
11. Remind yourself that stuck doesn’t mean broken.
You might not feel like you’re moving forward—but that doesn’t mean you’re failing. Sometimes, what feels like being stuck is just a necessary pause while things change under the surface. Growth can be invisible, and just because nothing looks different on the outside doesn’t mean nothing’s happening. The middle part of change often feels like a standstill, right before the momentum picks up again.
12. Give yourself credit for not giving up.
It takes real effort to keep going when there’s no reward in sight. That kind of grit doesn’t get celebrated enough. But the fact that you haven’t walked away, even when it’s hard, says a lot about your strength. You might not be where you want to be yet, but you’re still here. Still trying. Still showing up. That counts far more than it feels like in the moment.
13. Trust that it won’t always feel like this.
No feeling is permanent. Not even the frustration of spinning your wheels. At some point, something will change, whether it’s your mindset, your luck, or the way things finally start clicking into place. You don’t need to know exactly when or how. Just trust that the hard bits pass, and that stuck is just a temporary chapter—not the whole story. Keep turning the pages.
