It's a Good Life Quick Cut: S2E357 How to Get Unstuck - a Conversation with Adam Alter
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Dec 18, 2025 
Join Adam Alter, a New York Times bestselling author and NYU Stern professor, as he delves into the complexities of feeling stuck. He explains how stuckness is a natural part of progress and discusses the goal gradient hypothesis and perfectionism. Adam emphasizes that plateaus are normal and can signal growth, while also tackling the loneliness that often accompanies feeling stuck. He suggests breaking goals into smaller tasks to navigate those tricky middle phases. Tune in for insights that can spark your next breakthrough!
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Protracted Stuckness Is The Focus
- Stuckness often lasts days, weeks, months, or years rather than minutes.
- Adam Alter focuses on protracted, changeable stuckness that we can intervene on.
Stuckness Is Inevitable
- Stuckness is inevitable because techniques and environments change over time.
- What worked before often becomes less effective as situations shift and blindside us.
Peaks Follow Long Plateaus
- Brian Buffini describes peaks followed by long plateaus in coaching clients' growth.
- He notes plateaus often indicate progress and can precede the next peak if the person perseveres.