From Stuck to Steady Progress: Leveraging the Cycle of Renewal
Stuck in the muck.
Februdreary is often the month where we feel more ‘ebb’ than ‘flow.’ After the fanfare of the festive season, winter settles in properly and wraps us in a blanket that might feel a little too tight. Motivation stalls and sluggishness abounds.
Recently, one of my coaching clients shared that she has found herself at a career crossroads, not really knowing which way to turn — but also, quite frankly, not having the energy to properly engage with making any changes. I can relate; I find my energy waning in February every year, despite the best intentions to remain steadfastly sunny and upbeat.
If this sounds like a familiar February vibe, know that you are not alone. This month feels like a natural pause, but how you choose to manage the moment will define how you regain momentum to move from frozen to motion once the ground starts to thaw.
Frederic Hudson’s Cycle of Renewal offers fascinating insights into the natural rhythm of our professional lives.
Think of this cycle as a map to understand where you are and how to cycle through different seasons of life.
The framework meets you exactly where you are at the current moment, and reflecting on each phase can help you gain clarity on how to move with intention from stuck to started.
(Image credit: The Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara)
Dance In Your Doldrums
Let’s look at Phase 2 first, since that’s where most of my clients are when we start working together (and where many of you might find yourselves right now). The Doldrums is usually the period where you feel stagnant or are questioning your current situation. Maybe your motivation has dipped or you’re unsure what, if anything, needs to shift.
One of the biggest traps of the midwinter slump is the all-or-nothing mindset. If you’re feeling stuck, your brain might jump to extremes. In this phase, you have limited energy to engage. Here’s my advice: Stay where you are and acknowledge the moment. Understand your current position, and pay attention to what is happening and what is attributed to this moment.
In this phase, mini moves are best. Journal to clear your head, find one person whose journey you are curious to learn about (this can be incredibly inspiring), watch a video or listen to a podcast on a topic of interest. Mini actions take minimal effort and can still provide clarity.
Coddle Your Cocoon
Often, smaller steps lead us down a path to deeper reflection — that’s where the Cocooning phase comes in. Think of it as pressing ‘pause’ to really examine what you want next. While it might feel uncomfortable, this is often where the most meaningful growth happens. This is the time for deeper introspection. Ask yourself more questions: What’s important to you? What do you want to experience?
In both the Doldrums and Cocooning phases, it’s important to give yourself grace whilst also taking time to remain curious; you’re seeking answers to deeper questions of who you are and what you want.
What else can help? Sometimes seeking fresh perspectives can provide ideas — but make sure any advice you’re getting still feels manageable.
Get Ready to be Steady
This phase is the outcome of Cocooning, where you are getting ready and emerging with fresh clarity. Phase 4 is when you start mapping out new ideas and goals, and preparing a micro move or a big move. This is where the clarity you gained in Cocooning starts taking shape into actionable strategies. New ideas emerge.
Gear Up to Go For It
This phase has you on top of the world! You are in the flow zone, your work is satisfying, all is well. The “Go For It” phase is when everything clicks. You're energized, challenged, and the moves you’ve made to get here are taking shape.
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If winter has you feeling frozen in place (and not in a fun, ballad-belting Disney way!), know that you don’t have to make massive changes to move forward. Sometimes, all it takes is a slight shift in focus — a small move or two to get unstuck.
February isn’t about reinvention. It’s about staying in motion — even if you’re wrapped in a big, blankety cocoon right now — and from that motion, clarity will come and action will follow.
