Our minds play strange games with us — and pull us into mental traps. Most of the time, we don’t even realize it. We just get stuck inside our own head.
One of the most common things I hear from clients is: “I don’t know what should I do.”
But once we start talking, it turns out — they do know. They’ve just fallen into a thought trap.
Our minds are good at sounding convincing. They offer logical explanations – but sometimes, that logic becomes a cage we can’t escape from.
In my work, I rarely meet people who don’t know what they want. More often, I meet those who do – but can’t move forward. Because somewhere deep inside, there’s a trap. And these traps are sneaky. So well disguised that people don’t even realize they’re stuck. And the invented problems they see feel real.
And no – these aren’t the same old Top 10 cognitive distortions you’ll find on Google. These ones go deeper. They’re quieter. And, honestly, more dangerous.
Here are a few I see all the time:
❗ “If I can’t do it perfectly, it’s not worth doing at all.”
Perfectionism often hides not love for quality but fear that the effort won’t matter.
“If I can’t do this brilliantly, I shouldn’t waste my time.” Sounds noble. But it leads to one thing: inaction.
❗ “Everyone else already made it.”
You scroll through Instagram and feel like you’re ten steps behind.
“They’re already so far ahead — and I’m still figuring it out.” But you don’t see their full path, only the polished version. And you’re comparing your work in “progress” to someone else’s “highlight reel”.
❗ “If I’m not inspired, it’s not meant for me.”
Let’s be honest — how often do you really feel inspired? Sometimes you’re just tired. Sometimes it’s not the right time. And sometimes… you just need to start by doing!
Inspiration often shows up after action – not before.
❗ «“If I make a mistake, it’s all over.”
A small mistake starts to feel like the end of the world. But it’s not a cliff — it’s just a step. One step down, two steps up.
Your mind is trying to protect you from risk. So you stay still – and call it a strategy.
What makes these traps so dangerous is that you believe them. They sound logical. They’re backed by social norms. And your brain is used to thinking this way.
But then one day you realize — you’ve been circling the same spot for a long time. You want a different life, but nothing’s changing. Feels like circumstances, but it’s not. It’s not about lack of motivation. It’s that you don’t see the door.
On the April 20th, we’re diving into this at the next Career Brunch, a networking and educational event in Tallinn. We’ll explore how these mental traps are built, why we fall into them, what’s really going on in our minds and, most importantly, how to get out of the trap.
If this resonates with you – join us! It will be deep, honest, and practical for everyone. Only 3 spots left! Register here.