How to Move Forward When Life Has You Pinned

In Navy SEAL terminology, “The X” refers to the exact point where something is going down—gunfire, ambush, explosion. It’s the danger zone, the kill zone. According to former SEAL Jason Redman, when you’re on the X, you have two choices: stay stuck and get taken out, or move.

But “The X” doesn’t only apply to combat. In life, the X is the moment when things go wrong—loss, trauma, fear, failure, shame. The car breaks down. The marriage ends. The diagnosis comes. The business fails. We’ve all been on the X at some point, and the critical question is: What now?

Step One: Acknowledge You’re on the X

Many people try to pretend they're not stuck. They numb, distract, or wait, hoping things will change on their own. But Redman says the first move is to recognize exactly where you are. You’re on the X. Life has hit hard. Now it’s time to regroup and move—not perfectly, but purposefully.

Step Two: Fully Commit to a Goal

Once you’ve acknowledged the X, the next step is deciding what you want instead. Whether it’s reclaiming your health, rebuilding your confidence, launching a business, or walking away from toxic relationships—you have to fully commit. Wishy-washy intentions won’t cut it.

Redman makes it clear: Commitment comes before clarity. You may not know exactly how you’ll get there, but you must plant a flag in the ground and say, “This is where I’m going.” That declaration pulls you out of victim mode and into forward motion.

Step Three: Build Structure and Self-Discipline

If you want to lead others—or even just lead your own life—you have to start with self-leadership. That means creating structure, setting priorities, and showing up consistently even when it’s hard.

Discipline becomes your lifeline. It’s not about punishment—it’s about freedom. When your world feels out of control, a solid morning routine, a weekly plan, or even just a habit of making your bed can give you the sense of agency that pushes you into movement.

Momentum starts with tiny acts of discipline. You don’t need a full map—you need to take the next right step.

Step Four: Use What You Have

On the battlefield, SEALs don’t wait for perfect conditions. They assess: What do I have? What can I use? That mindset translates directly to personal transformation. Stop focusing on what you don’t have. Start using what you do.

Have five minutes? Start journaling. Have one contact? Ask for help. Have a story you’ve never told? Share it. Movement isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress.

Step Five: Don’t Go It Alone—This is Where a Coach Comes In

When you’re stuck on the X, your vision is fogged by stress, fear, and overwhelm. It’s hard to see clearly when you’re in the thick of it. That’s why this is the most powerful time to have a coach—someone outside the fire who can see the terrain, help you assess your tools, and guide you toward safe ground.

A coach helps you:

  • Separate the facts from the emotions

  • Reconnect with your inner strength

  • Create a strategy based on your goals, not your past

  • Stay accountable when your energy dips

They don’t save you—but they show you how to save yourself. They believe in your power when you’ve forgotten how to believe in it.

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The Bottom Line: Get Off the X

The longer you stay on the X, the harder it becomes to move. Life will always have ambushes. The real test isn’t whether you get hit—it’s how fast you decide to move forward.

Start with honesty. Pick a goal. Build discipline. Use what’s in front of you. And if you can, find someone to walk beside you as you move. Because the X isn’t your home—it’s just a place you passed through on the way to something far more powerful.

If you’re on the X right now and you’re ready to move—but unsure how—let’s talk.

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