What I Do When I Feel Like Giving Up

I have a problem today. If you have ever struggled to fit in with something you care about, perhaps my struggle will resonate with you.

It's been 939 days since November 12, 2012. That's the day I started publishing an article on JamesClear.com and it's been almost 2 years and 7 months ago. During these 939 glorious, sometimes frustrating days, I wrote a new post every Monday and Thursday. Week after week. Monthly. Year after year.

Today, I Feel Contempt

But today? Yes, today I am suffering. Today, I don’t feel like writing. Today, I do not feel like sticking to a schedule. Today, I don’t feel like I have great ideas and I don’t feel like I have enough time to make good ideas positive. Today, I feel like quitting.

Research from the University of Pennsylvania has shown that grit is a highly linked factor to success. I can use some grit today.

Here's what I'm trying to do when I feel like giving up…

Your Mind Suggested Engine

Think of all the ideas you have as a suggestion, not an order. Right now, my mind is suggesting that I feel tired. It suggests I quit. It suggests that I take the easy way out.

If I stop for a moment, though, I might get new suggestions. My mind also suggests that I will feel very happy to accomplish this task once you have completed it. It suggests that I will respect the ownership I build when I stick to the schedule. It suggests that I have the ability to finish the job, even if I don't feel like it.

Remember, they are not in these order suggestions. They are just options. I have the power to choose which option I follow.

Temporary Discomfort

With regard to time in your normal day or week, almost any practice you have is soon over. Your exercise will end in an hour or two. Your report will be typed and completed tomorrow morning. This article will be completed in a moment.

Life is now easier than ever. 300 years ago, if you did not kill your food and build your house, you would die. Today, we cry about forgetting our iPhone charger.

Keep an eye out. Your health is good and your discomfort is temporary. Enter into this moment of discomfort and let it strengthen you.

You Will Never Regret Good Work When Done

Theodore Roosevelt said, "Far from the great reward life can give you is the opportunity to work hard at the work that is to be done." Often it seems we want to make it easier to do the work we have to do. We want our work to be helpful and respected, but we do not want to fight for our work. We want our bellies to be flat and our arms to be strong, but we don't want to digest other work. We want the end result, but not the previous failed attempts. We want gold, but not grinding.

Anyone can claim a gold medal. Few people want to train like the Olympian.

And yet, despite our opposition, I have never found myself feeling very bad after working hard. There were days when it was hard to start, but it always had to end. Sometimes, the simple act of showing and having the courage to do the job, or in the usual way, is a victory worth celebrating.

This is life

Life is always a balance between giving easily to distractions or overcoming the pain of discipline. It is no exaggeration to say that our lives and identities are defined in this fragile balance. What is life, if not the sum of a hundred thousand daily battles and small decisions to take it out or leave it?

This is the time when you don’t feel like doing the work? This is not the time to be lost. This is not a dress rehearsal. This moment is your life just like any other moment. Use it in a way that will make you proud.

Let the World Decide

So, what do I do when I feel like I want to quit? I can see.

Am I expressing myself very well? I do not see. But my job is not to judge how good or bad I am.

My job is to do the work and let the world decide.

FEET

Since my brain is currently a mush, I do not remember where I first heard the concept of mind-as-suggestion-engine, but I can assure you that it was a smarter person than me who came up with this idea.