How to Break Free from Mental Blocks and Step Into Your Power

We all know the feeling. You’ve got something big to do—maybe it’s launching a project, having a tough conversation, or finally starting that habit you swear will change your life. And yet… you wait. You hesitate. You talk yourself out of it, promising you’ll do it tomorrow. But according to True or False Magic, the latest book from Phil Stutz, renowned psychiatrist and co-author of The Tools, and Elise Loehnen, bestselling author and former Chief Content Officer of Goop, the biggest thing standing between you and the life you want isn’t ability—it’s hesitation. And breaking free from hesitation is simpler than you think.

“The first step you can take is some sort of action. It doesn’t matter if this action is successful or unsuccessful, what matters is that you do it,” says Stutz. “It’s like running track—you pop out of the starting blocks and go.”

If you’ve been looking for a way to get unstuck, reclaim your confidence, and step into your power, this is your wake-up call.

The #1 Thing Holding You Back and the Fastest Way to Overcome It

Ever notice how the longer you wait to do something, the harder it feels to start? That’s not just in your head—it’s a cognitive trap.

Stutz calls this Part X, the inner force of resistance that thrives on hesitation. “Most people are lazy, or they overthink, but when you’re willing to have any kind of life in your body, the higher part of you will actually create more energy. The person who makes the most effort ends up with more energy. Plug into your life force. You have to do it with speed.”

Loehnen expands on this, explaining how hesitation erodes confidence: “The more time that elapses between when you know you need to take action and when you do it, the more confidence you lose. A simple example of this is writing a paper for school or making a phone call to set up an appointment that you’ve been putting off. You lose energy and confidence to the act of procrastination that adds up for a real effect in your life.”

This isn’t just a theory—it’s science. Studies in behavioral psychology show that taking immediate action—before doubt creeps in—can override the brain’s fear response. A study from Harvard Business School found that people who made decisions quickly were more confident and resilient than those who overanalyzed.

Stutz’s solution is simple: “Speed. The faster you act, the more energy you generate. The mistake most people make is waiting for motivation. But motivation comes after action, not before it.”

Try This:

• If you’re avoiding something, count down from five and take action immediately.
• Commit to five minutes. Whatever you’re resisting, just start for five minutes—chances are, you’ll keep going.
• Move your body. Physical movement sparks dopamine production, which fuels motivation and forward momentum.

The Life Force: Your Secret Weapon Against Burnout & Overwhelm

When you’re feeling exhausted, uninspired, or stuck, your brain might tell you to figure it out. But according to Stutz, thinking won’t pull you out—your Life Force will.

“If you’re feeling hopeless or confused, you must access your Life Force. It’s the most important thing you can do, and there’s no getting around it,” says Stutz. He describes the Life Force as a three-tier pyramid:

1. The bottom level is your relationship with your physical body—movement, nutrition, and sleep.
2. The next level is your relationship with others—connection, love, and community.
3. The top level is your relationship with yourself—self-reflection, creativity, and purpose.

Loehnen says this simple breakdown was a game-changer for her. “One of the things that I find most striking about Phil and The Tools is that he breaks down big, theoretical concepts like the Life Force into the simplest actions. As someone who lives in my head, being reminded that I need to start with my body is intensely helpful. But as Phil routinely reminds me, your Life Force and working with Higher Forces is not an intellectual problem to be solved, it’s a feeling to be summoned.”

In other words, you don’t think your way back into motivation—you act your way into it.

Try This:

• Start with your body. Move. Eat well. Sleep enough.
• Connect with others. Call a friend, hug someone, or make eye contact with a stranger.
• Do something that brings you joy—just because.

The 3 Universal Laws You’ve Been Avoiding (And Why They’re Actually the Key to Peace)

Most people try to avoid discomfort. But according to Stutz, discomfort is the path. He lays out three fundamental realities that most of us resist:

1. Uncertainty (You’ll never have 100% control.)
2. Pain (Struggles will come, whether you like it or not.)
3. Constant Work (There’s no finish line for self-growth.)

“The exact thing you’re trying to avoid is the thing that you actually need to connect to,” Stutz explains. “If you can accept these realities, you’re allowed into a whole different world. It gives you peace because you’ve stopped avoiding.”

Loehnen adds, “Mini death events, whether it’s the loss of a job, of health, of a relationship, or something we want that doesn’t come to pass, are really our opportunities for growth. That pruning is what keeps us healthy and pushing for expansion.”

Try This:

• Instead of asking Why is this happening to me?, ask What skill is this teaching me?
• Reframe discomfort as mental fitness—every challenge is a rep that makes you stronger.

The Illusion That’s Been Keeping You Stuck (And How to Break Free)

Ever thought, I’ll be happy when…? That’s what Stutz calls the Realm of Illusion.

Loehnen adds, “The only way to get out is to say, ‘I don’t have enough time to waste on this.’ The moment you do this in your mind, you can move forward.”

Try This:

• Recognize the illusion. If you’re waiting for something to make you happy, ask: What if it never comes? How can I be happy now?
• Detach from outcomes. Instead of chasing validation, focus on who you’re becoming.

You Have to Be Willing to Lose to Win

One of the most radical ideas in True or False Magic? You actually gain power by losing.

“The route to satisfaction involves losing, being disappointed, and understanding that you really lose nothing when it feels like you lost everything,” Stutz says.

So here’s your challenge: Stop waiting. Stop hesitating. The only way forward is through.

And the moment you accept that? You’ve already won.