Feeling stuck feels like no matter how much effort you spend, you're not moving in any direction, not budging even an inch. It can happen to all of us, and its duration varies, but it makes us ask ourselves, "What should I do to move forward?"

Today, we have five actionable steps to take whenever you're feeling stuck and don't know what to do next. Bookmark this one for later because you never know when you might need it!

1. Discover why you feel stuck. Knowing the root cause of the dilemma will help you resolve it. You can't fix an issue before identifying it. Are you unsatisfied with your work? Perhaps you're not booking your dream jobs? Do you want to raise your prices, but you're scared of losing bookings? Reveal what the pain point is.

2. Invest in education. A proven course, group mastermind, or 1:1 coaching are great options to propel your business forward. Directly learning from someone who is where you dream about being can help you reach your goals faster. An outsider's perspective could pinpoint problems sooner and provide innovative solutions you wouldn't have thought of on your own.

3. Learn a new technique. Challenge yourself to master a new skill like learning film, off-camera flash, long exposures, or even building frames. Whatever photo conditions make you nervous on wedding days or photoshoots means those are areas where you can improve. Having a solid skillset gives confidence by knowing you can produce incredible images no matter what.

4. Create personal work. If you have an idea for an extraordinary photoshoot concept that would attract your ideal clients, it's time to bring that vision to life. Devote the time and resources necessary to build a portfolio you love and are excited to share while elevating your brand. There's no reason not to be in love with your portfolio!

5. Expand your niche or market. Branching into motherhood or product photography is a great way to increase income without taking up weekend days if you're a wedding photographer. If you feel your ideal clients aren't in your local area, expand your market reach to other cities and focus on being a destination photographer. 

Wait for the breakthrough. This period of feeling stuck could be the catalyst that brings you into your greatest growth. Consistently put in the work, and don't get discouraged. Ambition isn't stagnant and propels us ahead, so we don't stay in the same place forever.