# Have You Built a Loving Cage

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/daily-boost-motivation-and-coaching-666647/have-you-built-a-loving-cage
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/daily-boost-motivation-and-coaching-666647/have-you-built-a-loving-cage.md
Podcast: [Daily Boost — Motivation and Personal Growth](https://stenobird.com/podcast/daily-boost-motivation-and-coaching-666647)
Published: 2026-07-22T04:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://motivationtomove.com
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/verifi.podscribe.com/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/MOTO5790029446.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/daily-boost-motivation-and-coaching-666647/episodes/have-you-built-a-loving-cage
Duration seconds: 781

## Resource

Have You Built a Loving Cage July 22, 2026 | Episode 5503 Host: Scott Smith Episode Description Have you ever been so good at your job that you can't get promoted? You're the one person who can do what you do — and that's why you're stuck. I call it the loving cage, and most people never see the bars. Today I'm walking you through its three rings: the slot you fill, the people who love you, and the identity you've built around your competence. Nobody's the villain here. But once you see the cage, you can't unsee it — and that's when you start looking for the key. Featured Story I was sitting in the sauna after my workout when I noticed a 29-year-old kid holding a copy of The Talent Code. I asked why he was reading it. "I'd like to educate myself," he said. So I dug deeper. He's really good at his job — the only guy in his company who can do what he does. Valuable for cash flow. And completely stuck. I asked if he wanted the C-suite. "Hell yeah," he said. Then I told him something he didn't expect: it's good this is happening at 29. Most people don't feel the bars until 43 or 45 — and by then, the cage is comfortable. Important Points The better you do your job, the more trapped you can become in it. Your competence can become the strongest bar in the cage. Your cage has three rings — the role you fill, the people who love you, and the identity you built around work. Awareness is the key. Once you name the cage you're standing in, you can't unsee it — and that changes every decision. So start today: name the cage, see the bars, and choose your next move. Memorable Quotes "You're so good you can't be promoted. You're so good that you stay where you are. You're so good, you're trapped." "The person just above you — you are the very reason they're successful. Your competen…

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## Transcript

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