Understanding Why We Get Stuck and the Power of Inner Beliefs

Reflecting on the Time Machine Journey

Welcome back! After taking that powerful trip through your past, present, and future in the metaphorical Time Machine, it's time to pause and ask yourself: If you know where you want to go and who you want to become, then why are you stuck?

This seemingly simple question can open doors to deep self-reflection and insight. The feeling of being stuck is something many of us experience. We may feel demotivated, drained, and unable to move forward. Let’s delve into this with clarity.

Why Do We Feel Stuck?

The term "stuck" is something we use often without much thought. But now, it's time to tell your story more accurately:

• Are you stuck because you’ve been passive?

• Is it a lack of external validation?

• Do you blame fate?

• Have you just not had the opportunity?

• Are you stuck on a plateau?

The key is honesty and specificity. When we articulate our struggles more clearly, we are more likely to understand and overcome them. Accurate self-assessment leads to closure and growth.

The Negativity Bias

Human minds are wired to focus on the negative. If you receive praise for 9 out of 10 tasks and one piece of criticism, your mind will likely dwell on that single negative comment. This phenomenon causes us to globalize our struggles and assign them to our identity, e.g., "I always mess up."

But if we accurately label what happened, we can self-soothe and shift our narrative.

The Iceberg Analogy: Surface vs. Subconscious

Imagine a robot with five buttons, yet it can perform 20 tasks. The secret? Its software contains hundreds of thousands of lines of code that make this possible. If you want the robot to wash dishes—a new task—you can’t just add a screw. You need a software upgrade.

Similarly, think of the Iceberg Principle:

• The visible 10% is our behavior: how we speak, act, and perform.

• The hidden 90% below the surface includes our beliefs, motivations, fears, and values.

Human Beings Are Just Like Icebergs

You see a person’s actions—but not their internal code:

• You see Virat Kohli hit a six.

• You see Roger Federer win a match.

But you don’t see their:

• Fears before the game

• Beliefs about themselves

• Motivations that drive them forward

The Real Source of Being Stuck

Are your fears holding you back? Are your values clashing with your goals? Are limiting beliefs making you doubt your potential?

To move forward:

• Look deep into your iceberg.

• Identify and rewrite limiting beliefs.

• Upgrade your inner software—the mental code that's been running the show.

The Path Forward

To truly transform and move toward a better version of yourself:

1. Pause and Reflect – Where exactly are you stuck?

2. Dive Deep – What beliefs and fears lie beneath your surface?

3. Change the Code – Let go of old patterns. Install new ones.

But a powerful question remains: How easy is it to change our belief system? That’s a journey we will explore in the next phase.

Stay tuned. You’re on the path to true transformation.

“The biggest journey you’ll ever take is the one within.”