What to do when you feel like quitting
We all have those days. Whether you are trying to eat healthier, look for a new job, start an exercise routine, begin meditating, start your own business, whatever, there will probably be a moment when you just feel like giving up. When it doesn’t feel like you are making any progress and there is no point in trying.
We are actually biologically hardwired to give up on things that do not bring us immediate gratification. In the beginning, we get that quick rush of excitement and energy that comes with starting something new. But that eventually fades and we begin to lose energy and motivation. So what can you do the next time you feel like throwing your hands up and giving up?
Cut yourself some slack. It is okay that you feel like quitting, it happens to everyone and does not mean that you should stop. Remember that everyone started somewhere and you are often seeing people who have already reached their goal and not all the steps along the way. Consider getting off social media for a little while if it is causing you to constantly compare yourself and affect you negatively.
Remember why you started. Connect with that original goal and the energy and excitement you had when you first made it. It can also be helpful to visualize what it will feel like once you accomplish what you are working towards. This can help you move forward and bring some more excitement to this middle phase.
Do something small. If you don’t feel like doing a full workout, go for a walk. Your usual 10 minute meditation too much? Just do a minute. Instead of stopping completely, take one small action that will move you towards your goal and what you want.
Take one day. If you truly need a break, then take one day off. But the key is to not let that one day turn into two which then turns into a week. Take a day off and don’t feel any guilt around it, but then get back to your goals the next day.
Get accountability. Find someone to give you accountability. This can be a coach, friend, family member, or a larger group that also has similar goals. In addition to giving you someone to be accountable to, it can also help to re-energize you and give you more motivation.
Make a plan. Writing down what you need to do and how you are going to do it can be very helpful when you are feeling disengaged. It is also possible that the original plan you made when you first started no longer works and it needs to be refined to your current circumstances.
Celebrate how far you have come. Remember where you started and how far you have come since then. It can be easy to get caught up in how far we still have to go, but it is important to look at how far we have come. Knowing how much progress you have already made can help inspire you to keep going. Celebrate your wins!
The middle part is the hardest. “The middle is messy, but it is also where the magic happens.” - Brene Brown. The middle is often the hardest part, the excitement from starting has faded, and the finish line is not yet in sight. But this is the time to keep going and the part that makes it all worth it when you do accomplish your goals. It is also what separates the people who accomplish what they want and those who do not - the people who still showed up when they did not want to and who just kept going.
