Most people don't struggle because they aren't working hard enough.

In fact, I'd argue the opposite.

The people I meet are often some of the hardest-working people I know. They're reading the books, listening to the podcasts, buying the courses, trying the strategies and putting in the hours.

Yet somehow, they still feel stuck.

Over the years, whether I've been treating someone with persistent pain or helping a business owner untangle a challenge, I've noticed the same pattern.

They're trying to solve the wrong problem.

We Tend to Treat the Symptom

When something isn't working, our first instinct is to fix what we can see.

If business is slow, we assume we need more marketing.

If we're overwhelmed, we think we need better time management.

If we're constantly tired, we reach for another coffee.

If our shoulder hurts, we strengthen the shoulder.

Sometimes that's exactly what's needed.

But often, those things are simply symptoms of something happening underneath.

Imagine trying to stop a warning light flashing on your dashboard by putting tape over it.

The light disappears...

The problem doesn't.

My Favourite Question

One of my favourite questions to ask is:

"What if this isn't the real problem?"

It's amazing how often the conversation changes after that.

Suddenly people stop defending the obvious answer and start becoming curious.

Curiosity is where clarity begins.

Instead of asking:

"How do I fix this?"

we begin asking:

"Why is this happening?"

They're very different questions.

Lessons From Physiotherapy

As a physiotherapist, people often arrive convinced they know exactly what's wrong.

"My knee hurts."

"My back keeps going."

"My shoulder won't stop aching."

Sometimes they're right.

But just as often, the painful area isn't the actual problem.

I've treated people whose knee pain started with poor hip control.

Neck pain that had more to do with stress and breathing than the neck itself.

Persistent shoulder pain that improved once we addressed movement through the upper back.

The body is brilliant at compensating.

Sometimes the place that's shouting the loudest isn't where the problem began.

Business—and life—work much the same way.

The Missing Piece

This is why I talk so much about finding the missing piece.

Because that's usually what people are searching for.

Not another strategy.

Not another planner.

Not another productivity hack.

They're searching for the one thing they haven't considered yet.

The assumption they never questioned.

The conversation they've been avoiding.

The decision they've been putting off.

The pattern they can't see because they're standing too close to it.

Sometimes the missing piece is practical.

Sometimes it's emotional.

Sometimes it's simply permission to stop doing something that isn't working.

Ask Better Questions

Whenever I feel stuck, I try to slow myself down long enough to ask better questions.

Questions like:

• What am I assuming to be true?

• What evidence do I actually have?

• What has changed recently?

• What problem am I trying to solve?

• Is this the real problem... or just the loudest symptom?

• If someone else looked at this, what would they notice?

Those questions rarely give instant answers.

But they almost always point me in a better direction.

You Don't Always Need More Information

One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that people think they need more knowledge.

Another course.

Another certification.

Another YouTube video.

Another expert.

Sometimes you do.

But often, you already have enough information.

What you need is enough space to connect the dots.

That's why I love conversations.

Not because I have all the answers.

But because asking the right questions often helps people uncover answers they already had—they just couldn't see them through the noise.

Before You Work Harder...

If you're feeling stuck right now, before you dive into another solution, pause for a moment.

Ask yourself:

"What if I'm solving the wrong problem?"

That one question has changed countless conversations I've had over the years.

Sometimes the breakthrough isn't working harder.

Sometimes it isn't working smarter.

Sometimes it's simply finding the missing piece.

And once you see it...

Everything else starts to make sense.

Coffee Thought ☕

What's one challenge you're facing right now?

Before you look for another solution, ask yourself whether you've identified the real problem—or whether you've been treating the symptom.

Sometimes one different question is all it takes to change everything.

If you'd like someone to help you connect the dots and uncover the missing piece, I'd love to help. Whether it's your business, your work, your health or simply feeling stuck, that's exactly what a Clarity Session is designed for.

Check out our Clarity Sessions here: https://sareehewlett.com/missing-piece