Issue #188 | March 31st, 2026

Pat here!

Ever feel like your to-do list never ends, yet you're not making progress on what really matters? You are not alone.

Most of us get overwhelmed by the small stuff — emails, notifications, errands, and all the little tasks that fill our days.

Before we know it, the day is over, and the big, important projects are still untouched.

Let’s get unstuck.

Quote of the Week

"The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities."

—Stephen Covey

Story of the Week

The Big Rocks Exercise

A while back, I watched a speaker do a simple but powerful demonstration. They had an empty aquarium, a pile of large rocks, and a bunch of small pebbles.

First, they poured all the pebbles in. When they tried to add the big rocks, only a few would fit. The rest sat on top, unable to squeeze in.

Then they emptied the aquarium and started over. This time, they put the big rocks in first. After that, they poured in the pebbles, which filled the spaces between the rocks. Amazingly, everything fit.

The lesson? If you do not make time for your big priorities first, the small stuff will fill up your day and crowd out what matters most.

Why We Get Stuck in the Small Stuff

It is easy to check off little tasks. They give us a quick sense of accomplishment. But if you only focus on the pebbles, you will never move the big rocks — the projects, goals, and dreams that actually move your life and business forward.

How to Prioritize the Big Rocks

1. Identify Your Big Rocks:

What are the one to three most important things you want to accomplish this week or month? These are your big rocks.

2. Schedule Them First:

Block time for your big rocks before anything else. Treat these blocks as non-negotiable appointments.

3. Let the Small Stuff Fill In:

Once your big rocks are scheduled, let the smaller tasks fill the gaps. You will be surprised how much you can still get done.

4. Review and Adjust:

At the end of each week, review what got done. Did you move your big rocks? If not, what got in the way? Adjust your approach for next week.

Your Challenge

This week, write down your top three big rocks. Schedule time for them before you do anything else. Let the pebbles fill in around them. Notice how much more progress you make on what truly matters.

Here is to moving the big rocks first!

Join My 14-Day Video Challenge!

If you’ve been wanting to start with short-form video but keep putting it off, this challenge is for you.

Starting Tuesday, April 7th, you’ll post one short-form video every day for 14 days on Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

You’ll be working alongside thousands of other creators who are showing up every day just like you.

And I’ll be checking in daily with updates, tips, and shoutouts, so you always feel supported.

By the end of this challenge, you’ll have a repeatable daily video series, real data to guide your future content, a growing audience, and so much more.

Most importantly: You’ll have proven to yourself that you can stay consistent. That’s the skill that separates successful creators from everyone else.

As soon as you sign up, you’ll get your kickoff email with everything you need to get started so that you’re all set to hit publish on day one!

Interested in sponsoring Unstuck? Fill out a sponsorship inquiry.

Let’s Kick off the 14-Day Video Challenge Together!

Join me live next Monday, April 6th, for a high-energy kickoff call where I’ll share simple, actionable tips, answer your questions in real time, and help you feel confident (and excited!) to hit “publish” on day one.

Not sure if the challenge is right for you? This is the perfect place to start. You’ll learn more about how it works, hear how it went last time, and get the clarity you need before committing.

To access the event, you’ll need to sign up for the 14-Day Video Challenge — just click here to join.

I’d love to see you there!

Cheers,

Pat Flynn

Co-founder, SPI Media

Dad Joke of the Week

I took up origami once…

…but I gave it up because it was too much paperwork.