Feeling stuck is,  unfortunately, a common human experience. If you’re reading this, you might be right in the middle of it. (Sorry!)

I want you to know this feeling isn’t a sign of failure or weakness. What’s important is understanding what’s really going on, what is making you feel stuck — and that’s where mindset engineering comes in.

In this post, we’ll explore how invisible internal rules — I call mindset constraints — shape a kind of mental “feasible region” that defines what you see as possible and share some gentle, practical first steps to start shifting your constraints, getting unstuck and moving forward.

What Does “Feeling Stuck” Actually Mean?

At its core, feeling stuck is a state where progress feels blocked or confusing. It might look like:

• Feeling overwhelmed by too many options or conflicting desires
• Paralysis or indecision, even when you know what you want
• Frustration or exhaustion from putting in effort without meaningful results
• Not sure how to move forward and feeling frozen in place

These experiences aren’t just emotional reactions — they reflect deep internal mismatch.

I’ve seen these patterns show up across many areas — career growth that stalls, relationships feeling stagnant, struggles with health or creativity despite intention and work.

Feeling stuck often signals that something beneath the surface — your mindset — is not aligned with your goals or desires. It’s a mismatch, not a failure.

The Hidden Dynamics Behind Feeling Stuck — Mindset Constraints and Feasible Region

You might wonder: What exactly is causing this mismatch?

The answer lies in what I call mindset constraints — invisible mental “rules” you carry about what’s acceptable, possible, or realistic. These constraints create a personal feasible region — the mental space that defines what feels attainable.

For example, someone wanting to change careers might feel constrained by thoughts like “I’m too old to start over” or “I can’t start over in a new industry.” These constraints limit what options they consider, essentially building walls around their progress.

Recognizing these invisible boundaries is the first step to getting unstuck.

The Process to Identify Your Mindset Constraints and Shift Them, So You Can Achieve Your Goals

Mindset engineering is my compassionate, analytical approach to uncovering and reshaping these constraints.

Here’s an overview of the process:

• Review your current situation and specific goal
• Identify the mindset constraints limiting progress
• Craft well-engineered affirmations tailored to shift the constraints holding you back
• Use the affirmations to help you shift your perspective and what is possible
• Find new pathways towards your goals based on your new mindset

Unlike quick fixes or surface-level motivation, mindset engineering integrates analytical problem solving with emotional awareness — creating meaningful, lasting change.

Tired of Feeling Stuck? Consider These Next Steps Forward

Feeling stuck can be lonely, but you don’t have to face it alone.

To get started, I invite you to watch my video Get Clear on Why You Are Stuck (An Unconventional Approach from a PhD Engineer), where I introduce these concepts and share practical examples to help you understand what is going on and how to move forward.

For personalized insights on your specific situation, I encourage you to get a free Get Unstuck Mindset Map — a tailored tool to help you discover your unique constraints and identify actionable steps to move your forward.

In addition, I invite you to join r/SmartCapableStuck — a place where smart, capable people share stories, questions, and support on their journeys to get unstuck.

By gently rethinking your internal mindset constraints, your career path can open in ways you hadn’t imagined.

No matter what you decide, I encourage you to take your next steps with curiosity and compassion toward yourself!

Your clarity and momentum are closer than you think.

You’ve got this!