If you’ve been feeling stuck or overthinking your next move, this is for you.
What is something that you’ve wanted to do for years but haven’t yet? For me, rock climbing (an actual mountain cliff face) is one.
“Come climbing with me on a rock on Sunday???”
Absolutely a yes. I love my friends that casually ask me to play.
So fast forward to Bronkies Dam.
Eight of us. Seven experienced climbers…and then me.
Let’s just say “strong, flexible and fit” are not the words I’d currently use to describe myself. I’m working on it but that intention wasn’t going to help me much that day.
What I didn’t expect was this: Rock climbing wasn’t really about fitness. It’s a masterclass in:
• strategy
• perspective
• self-trust
Why Overthinking Makes You Feel Stuck (Even When You’re Not)
I blew my arms out quickly. (Humbling, for someone who likes to get things right the first time 😅. I see you over-achieving – hopefully recovering – perfectionists.)
I was gripping, pulling myself up instead of doing what I was meant to do – which was just stand, push and use my legs. Something you only truly understand while experiencing your body grip strength weakening with each second.
And then there was this moment.
Me: “I’m stuck. I don’t know what to do next.”
Heidi (from below): “Climb!”
😂 Obvious. The solution is literally in the description. Rock climbing. But I had gone from doing the action → overthinking
The Perspective Shift You Need When You Can’t See the Next Step
That feeling of being stuck or overthinking what to do next is more common than you think… and often has less to do with ability, and more to do with perspective.
With all of this overthinking, I lost sight of the next step. I couldn’t see possibilities.
But observing from below, from a different perspective? The next step looks obvious. And isn’t that just like life?
When you’re in it:
• you can’t see clearly
• you feel stuck
• everything feels harder than it is
But from a different perspective, there’s a way.
How to Build Self-Trust When Things Don’t Go to Plan
Rock climbing forced me to trust things I couldn’t fully control:
• my footing
• my body
• the shoes (tiny, structured, bizarre…but effective)
• the rope
• my belay partner
At one point, I lost my footing trying to swing for a grip I didn’t quite reach.
Hindsight taught me that you don’t build self-trust in theory – you build it in the moment where things don’t go perfectly and you’re still held.
Feeling Stuck? Why Taking Action Matters More Than Getting It Right
My forearms were swollen and throbbing, my ego still bruised but it felt different.
When I applied the guidance properly (used my legs, trusted the structure, and stopped gripping so tightly) I had more ease. Look, it wasn’t easy but I had more ease – there’s a difference. I saw a few more possibilities that before so…I took on slightly trickier sections. (For a short while…because…arms 😅)
What This Means for You If You’re Overthinking Your Next Move
You don’t need to go rock climbing to experience this. You’re probably already feeling it somewhere in your life:
• overthinking your next move
• feeling stuck
• not seeing the bigger picture
• gripping tightly instead of trusting
So here’s something to consider:
- What if you’re not actually stuck but you’re just too close to see clearly?
- What if the next step isn’t complicated – it’s just uncomfortable?
- What if it’s less about doing more and more about trusting differently?
A small invitation
I shared three short posts on LinkedIn around this experience:
• Rock climbing as strategy
• Rock climbing as perspective
• Rock climbing as self-trust
They’re practical insights that might help you see your own situation differently, especially if you’re feeling stuck or unsure of your next move.
Click the link(s) above that will help you get clarity, movement, direction or a nudge in persective.
Your #JustOneThing
What is one small step you’ve been overthinking that you could simply take this week?
Not perfectly – just intentionally.
If this resonated with you, my book Living ON Purpose explores how to move from overthinking and autopilot into intentional action, in both your life and your work.
Start with your free downloadable sample
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You can also find more reflections and practical tools here:
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