Sometimes the best push is moving a rock out of someone’s path.

Encouragement is the loud form of help and often the least useful one. People who are stuck are usually not short on motivation; they are blocked by something specific and boring, like a missing form, a broken link, an introduction they do not have. Removing the obstacle does more in five minutes than an hour of belief.

Ask someone who seems stalled what is actually in the way, and listen for the dull practical answer. Then handle that one thing yourself if you can. Skip the pep talk entirely.