How to Know When You’re Better Off Stepping Away
Attempting to power through isn’t always the answer to feeling stuck
I, like most people I know, get stuck all the time — stuck on thoughts, feelings, physical challenges, creative projects. And when I get stuck on something, The first thing I do is attempt to work through it: I try to unpack the thought, unwind the feeling, bust the plateau, or force the creative insight.
Sometimes this works. Often it doesn’t. When it doesn’t, the best thing I can do is step away. But it’s also the hardest. My brain, like most human brains, hates leaving things undone. I face a strong urge to lean in and continue picking at the problem. The effective approach, however, is basically the exact opposite: Lean out and leave the problem, whatever it may be, alone.
Research from across fields shows that breakthroughs tend to occur not when you are working on the problem, but rather when you step away from it. This is precisely why we experience “aha” moments in the shower, during a walk, or while driving home from work. It’s also why some of the best physical feats happen after what seems like a too-long break. Just about every athlete has a story of an insane performance that occurred after a 10-day Hawaii vacation that included minimal, if any, training. (Exhibit A: Roger Bannister…
