IGMT 036: Brake Lights and Bottlenecks


Hop in Reader, and don't touch the radio...

I was sitting in traffic the other day, staring at the line of brake lights stretching into the horizon. The engine was running, the radio was on, and every once in a while I would creep forward a few feet, just enough to trick my brain into thinking progress was happening. The truth was, I was burning gas, wearing out my patience, and going nowhere. That creeping sensation of moving forward was nothing more than the illusion of progress.

And it got me thinking...

How often do we do the exact same thing in sports, in school, in work, or even in life? We put in the hours, we go through the motions, we stay “busy,” but we are not really advancing. It is like treading water in a pool: yes, you are afloat, but the wall is not getting any closer.

In youth sports, this happens all the time. Athletes show up to every practice, every game, and they leave thinking that is enough. Coaches recycle the same drills they have run for ten years. Parents shuttle their kids from field to field and call it a win because the schedule is full. Everyone feels busy. The wheels are turning. But is anyone actually moving forward?

The problem is that activity looks a lot like progress. It feels good to be busy. We measure our days by how tired we are or how much time we spent doing something. The danger comes when we confuse that busyness with real advancement. It is the difference between sitting in traffic and actually driving down an open road.

Progress requires intention. Athletes need to set goals, track their growth, and seek feedback. Just showing up is not enough. Coaches need to stop running the same tired drills and instead adapt, experiment, and challenge players in new ways. Parents need to go beyond simply getting kids to the game and help them reflect on what they learned. Otherwise, everyone is stuck in traffic, burning gas with nothing to show for it.

I touched on this in IGMT 032: The What vs The How. Focusing only on the “what” is like staring at the cars around you instead of finding a route that actually gets you closer to your destination. I also dug into it in my podcast, Benefits of Losing. Sometimes a setback forces us off the clogged highway and onto a back road, and that detour becomes the thing that truly moves us forward.

The truth is that movement without direction only leaves us tired and frustrated. Real progress takes courage, because it often means leaving the comfort of the familiar, just like taking the exit ramp when you are not entirely sure where it goes.

So here is my challenge to you this week: stop treading water, stop idling in traffic. Find one thing that actually advances you. Maybe it is trying a new drill, setting a specific goal, or asking for honest feedback. Even a small step forward is better than staying stuck in the same spot.

Think of it like finally spotting that magical side road when the highway is backed up. At first, you hesitate, because who knows where it goes. But then you take it, and suddenly you are moving again. Sure, it might not be the fastest route, but at least the scenery is changing and you are headed somewhere new.

That is what I want you to do this week. Take the side road. Try the new thing. Make the uncomfortable choice that actually gets you moving. Because staring at brake lights will never get you to your destination.

Until next time, keep moving forward.

For more resources such as blogs, vlogs, and upcoming webinars, visit DanMickle.com.

Also, visit MentalCast.com for the latest episode of The MentalCast podcast.

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It Got Me Thinking is a must-read newsletter that explores the mental side of performance, offering insights and strategies to strengthen mindset, build resilience, and unlock potential in sports, competition, and everyday life.

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