Getting out of a stuck situation - tools & techniques

Every development process, even the best planned, can encounter a stall—a moment when progress slows and motivation wanes. Getting stuck is a natural stage of learning and change, often resulting from a lack of perspective, overload, or internal conflict between goals. In mentoring and coaching, working through this stage is incredibly valuable—it allows you to discover the causes of stagnation, regain a sense of agency, and find new ways of acting.

In this category, you'll find mentoring and coaching techniques that help you identify the sources of blockages, break the impasse, and restart the development process. These tools support situation analysis, goal redefinition, and the search for alternative solutions. Thanks to them, the mentee can gain perspective, look at the difficulty from a different perspective, and find a way forward—often with even greater awareness and determination than before.

If you want to better understand how to support development in moments of challenge and uncertainty, read the article "Challenges of mentoring programs from the perspective of mentors, mentees and organizers" . It is also worth taking a look at the text "Coaching questions - examples of questions in coaching, mentoring and for managers" , which shows how well-chosen questions can help break stagnation and find new perspectives.

The following techniques will help you understand the mechanisms of developmental roadblocks, regain motivation, and restore operational flow. It's a set of tools that support you in overcoming impasse—with greater awareness, courage, and readiness for further growth.

Clear filters

Mentiway is an online application that enables the implementation, execution and monitoring of a mentoring program in an organization.

Alternative scenarios

Analyzing and drawing conclusions Making decisions Broadening perspectives Stimulating creativity Searching for new solutions Getting out of a stuck situation

This technique is all about stimulating creativity to find new solutions. It's useful when you're stuck and can't find a solution.

#creativity

#broadening perspective

#new solution

#decision-making

Description of the technique

Cartesian model of change

Overcoming resistance to change Analyzing and drawing conclusions Decision-making Broadening perspectives Stimulating creativity Searching for new solutions Getting out of a stuck situation

technique useful for systematizing and organizing thoughts and deepening self-awareness. Useful when feeling stuck and unable to make a decision.

#making a decision

#decision

#action

#analysis

#systematization

#making sure

#broadening the perspective

#resistance

#overcoming resistance

#drawing conclusions

Description of the technique

Gremlin - working with your inner critic

Improving self-confidence Motivation to act Broadening perspective Getting out of a stuck situation

This technique helps you work with internal limitations and habits. It allows you to identify and work with your limitations.

#self-confidence

#development

#potential

#limitations

#overcoming limitations

#new perspective

#motivation

Description of the technique

Changing habits

Motivating to act Overcoming resistance to change Broadening perspectives Searching for new solutions Getting out of a stuck situation

This technique aims to develop new habits. It can also be useful in preparing a person for an important event.

#habits

#neurobiology

#neuroplasticity

#new patterns

#change

#transformation

#new habits

#supportive habits

Description of the technique

5-Option Technique - Overcoming Obstacles

Overcoming resistance to change Achieving a specific goal Setting priorities Making decisions Taking responsibility for actions Broadening perspectives Stimulating creativity Searching for new solutions Getting out of a stuck situation

The 5-Option Technique is a useful tool when the person we're working with encounters numerous obstacles on the way to achieving their goal. It's also useful when the person we're working with is stuck and unable to find a solution. It helps stimulate creativity and find as many possible solutions to the problem as possible.

#creativity

#broadening perspective

#new solution

#new options

#options

#problem solving

#reassurance

#decision-making

#obstacles

#blockages

#resistance

#overcoming resistance

Description of the technique

The wheel of life

Improving self-confidence Expressing your own opinion Motivating to act Organizing your own development Setting priorities Systematizing and organizing Broadening your perspective Getting out of a stuck situation

The Wheel of Life is a technique that works well when you need to examine your level of satisfaction in the most important areas of your life. The visual nature of this exercise allows you to easily identify what's important at any given moment. This tool can be used in either the first or last session to measure changes in your satisfaction level in the area(s) you've chosen to work on.

#satisfaction

#lack of satisfaction

#values

#what is important

#meaning

#ordering

#systematization

#priorities

#prioritization

#self-awareness

#circle

#circle of life

#private life

#balance

#harmony

Description of the technique

The wheel of values

Improving self-confidence Expressing your own opinion Improving engagement in the mentoring program Motivating to act Organizing your own development Setting priorities Systematizing and organizing Broadening your perspective Getting out of a stuck situation Focusing on potentials Strengthening potential

The values wheel is a technique that works well when you need to examine your level of satisfaction in the most important areas of your life and values. The visual nature of this exercise allows you to easily identify what's truly important at a given moment. This tool can be used in either the first or last session to measure changes in your level of satisfaction with the area(s) you've chosen to work on.

#satisfaction

#lack of satisfaction

#values

#what is important

#meaning

#ordering

#systematization

#priorities

#prioritization

#self-awareness

#circle

#circle of values

#harmony

#development goals

#life goals

Description of the technique

HELP technique

Overcoming resistance to change Analyzing and drawing conclusions Setting priorities Systematizing and organizing Making decisions Taking responsibility for actions Getting out of a stuck situation Focusing on potentials

HELP is an acronym for:
H – what Happend (What happened?)
E – Emotions (What emotions accompanied it?)
L – Learning (What is the lesson learned?)
P – Plan (What is the plan of action?)

This is a questioning technique that will work in a work situation with a person who is distracted, has difficulty determining the essence of the problem, and is unsure of what to do in a given situation.

#concentration

#systematization

#organizing

#analysis

#drawing conclusions

#broadening perspective

#action

#science

#development

#emotions

#learning

#plan

#action plan

Description of the technique

5 Options Technique

Making decisions Taking responsibility for actions Broadening your perspective Stimulating creativity Searching for new solutions Getting out of a stuck situation

The 5-Option Technique is a useful tool when someone is stuck and unable to find a solution. It helps stimulate creativity and find as many possible solutions to the problem as possible.

#creativity

#broadening perspective

#new solution

#new options

#options

#problem-solving

#making sure

#decision-making

Description of the technique

Jelly Baby Tree

Improving self-confidence Improving engagement in the mentoring program Motivation to act Overcoming resistance to change Achieving a specific goal Setting priorities Decision-making Broadening perspective Stimulating creativity Getting out of a stuck situation

Drzewjo Jelly Baby is a simple tool that allows you to focus on a rational discussion of a given issue. It can be used in various contexts and address many areas, such as conflict management, transitioning through change, and facing challenges. Using this tool unleashes creativity and allows a person to view a given situation with clarity and transparency.

#conflict

#conflict resolution

#change

#going through change

#challenge

#creativity

#stimulating creativity

#new ideas

#new options

#development

#action

#motivation

Description of the technique

Sange

Expressing your own opinion Getting out of a stuck situation Focusing on potentials Strengthening potentials

The SANGE technique is effective in all situations requiring an apology to another person, repairing and rebuilding the relationship with that person. It requires considerable maturity, examining one's role in the situation, what could have been done differently, and why. As long as the intention behind the apology is sincere and in harmony with the person, it is a very effective tool that can be used in both professional and personal situations.

#relationships

#apologizing

#repairing relationships

#rebuilding relationships

#truly relationships

#gratitude

#appreciation

#potential

Description of the technique