Do you find yourself giving up on your goals too soon? In this episode, Adam explores three reasons we give up on our goals too soon – not having a compelling dream, pushing too hard too fast, and trying to go it alone – as well as what we can do to avoid these traps.

Adam discusses the importance of having a "big, brave, and clear" dream to stay motivated. He also recommends taking on challenges using the 5% rule of gradual progression rather than burning yourself out with 110% effort. And finding community through mentors or others with similar goals provides needed accountability and support.

Tune in to learn Adam's tips for shifting your mindset to keep making continuous small progress towards your dreams over the long run. 

Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:

Episode Highlights:

Three Reasons People Give Up Goals Too Soon:

[09:58] Reason #1: Not Having a Compelling Dream

When our dreams are superficial or impulsive, it's easy to lose motivation when results aren't immediate. However, having a truly compelling dream can provide the fuel to keep going even when things get difficult. Dreams should be big, brave, and clear. It needs to light you up with both excitement and fear, having that "oh shit" factor that signals it will push you out of your comfort zone. The dream also needs to have deep personal meaning tied to your values. Rather than just wanting six-pack abs, your dream could be around being healthy and active for your family.

[15:12] Pushing Too Hard Too Fast

When we're excited about a new challenge, it's easy to go all-in and try to do 110% from day one. However, this often leads to burnout quickly. To avoid this, Adam recommends committing to a more modest 80% effort initially using the "5% rule" of gradual progression. This means breaking your overall goal down into small, incremental steps that are only 5% increases in difficulty from where you're currently at. Taking it slow allows your body to adapt without injury and prevents burnout. You're still making continuous progress, just not as intensely. Listening to your body and increasing difficulty in small, manageable steps is much more sustainable than heroic efforts that you can't maintain. The 5% rule is an effective way to avoid pushing too hard too soon and falling off track.

[19:06] Trying to Go it Alone 

Humans are tribal by nature and we need community to help us grow. When we try to go it alone, it's too easy to give up when things get difficult since there's no accountability. However, there are usually communities of like-minded people who want to help each other succeed. To avoid isolation, it's important to tap into these existing communities through online forums, local meetup groups, or workout partners with similar goals. You can also find mentors who have already achieved what you want and are willing to provide guidance.

Resources Mentioned:

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