The 4 Mental Traps That Keep You Stuck (and How to Beat Them)
TL;DR
Whether you struggle with perfectionism, procrastination, cynicism, or taking care of yourself, there are actions you can take to get support and stay the course toward your goals.
We’ve all been there: staring down a blank page, waiting for the perfect moment, or getting caught in the spiral of “it’s not good enough.”
But here’s the real truth:
The biggest obstacle standing between you and your creative goals isn’t the industry.
It’s not the gatekeepers.
It’s not the world around you.
It’s the patterns you’ve found yourself stuck in.
After 20+ years coaching artists at every stage of their journey, I’ve seen the same four patterns (aka Inner Critics) derail momentum again and again:
The Perfectionist
The Procrastinator
The Cynic
The Caretaker
Chances are, you already know which one (or two) you relate to most.
The good news? You’re not alone — and you can change your mindset with the right tools, structure, and support.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
The Perfectionist:
"If it’s not perfect, what’s the point?"
This mindset keeps you trapped in an endless cycle of overthinking and self-doubt.
The Fix: Take imperfect action.
Perfection is the enemy of progress. In The Creative Path Intensive, we break down your goals into small, doable steps — so you can keep moving forward, even when it feels messy. (Done is always better than perfect.)
The Procrastinator:
"I’ll do it tomorrow... when I feel ready."
Often just perfectionism wearing a disguise. Procrastination hides fear: fear of failure, fear of not measuring up. But delay only makes the mountain feel bigger.
The Fix: Commit to action.
In The Creative Path Intensive, we reverse-engineer your goals to move from “someday” to “today.” The first step is the hardest — and the most important. Take it.
The Cynic:
"It’ll never work, so why even bother?"
Cynicism is just fear trying to protect you from disappointment. But staying small doesn’t protect you — it just guarantees you don’t grow.
The Fix: Get comfortable with discomfort.
In The Creative Path Intensive, we normalize rejection and failure — not as signs you’re failing, but as proof you’re in the game. Progress only happens when you stop saying no to your own potential.
The Caretaker:
"I don’t have time for my own work. There’s always something more important."
This one is tough. (Moms, I see you!) When you take care of everyone else first, your creative life slowly withers.
The Fix: Prioritize yourself without guilt.
In The Creative Path Intensive, we help you carve out real time for your work — and build a sustainable system to support it. Self-care isn't selfish. It’s what allows you to show up stronger for everyone else.
Here’s the bottom line:
These inner critics aren’t you.
They’re just patterns.
And patterns can be changed — with the right system and support.