You Reach a Plateau

Then You Hit a Brick Wall

Black Rain

Does it happen to us all or is it just a thing I am experiencing!
When I first started Aikido there seemed no limit to how high you could climb and things seemed to be learned and flowed so much quicker or so I thought at the time!
I have however hit that wall when it is no longer the big picture which must be seen but the little details which make up the whole.
This is a very frustrating situation as it would seem that the flow has gone out of my Aikido.
This seems to be an occurence which happens from time to time - I climb a few steps absorbing much on the way but then reach a plateau so to speak and it is takes a period of time before the next rung of the ladder even comes into sight.
Of course the problem usually is alleviated by continued practice and much sweat but it is a frustrating process to feel like you are moving along at a good old pace taking in everything that comes your way and then suddenly the brakes come on and you seem to be getting nowhere.

I would like to know if anyone else has hit similar plateaus and walls? and also what methods you have used to get over them.