“Things always take longer than they do.”

Some wise guy said that and it’s certainly felt that way in my life. I’ll set a goal, start out with enthusiasm, then get stuck. Usually, I can muster up the energy to get going again. But every so often, I get really stuck—and I start questioning if I really have it in me to make it happen.

If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone and our latest episode of the Reinventure Me podcast may be encouraging to you. In it, my co-host, Armin Assadi and I discuss the difference between being stuck in life and that often confusing alternative, incubating. Sometimes what feels like being stuck is actually for our good.

How can you know the difference? Three signs can tell you if you’re stuck:

1. When your clarity of direction is less certain over time. You feel more confused and have lost your sense of vitality and optimism.
2. When you resist the next step. You want to move ahead on a new idea for yourself, but you consistently resist working on it.
3. When you over-function. You’re trying to hard to make something happen, resulting in anger and disappointment.

If these are true of you, or someone you know, I invite you to give our current episode How to know if you’re stuck a listen. Let me know what you think in the comments below or call our show line at 612.314.5447 and leave us a message.

What other signs have you found to know if you’re stuck?