Most of us have been there.
We start something new with hope, motivation, and excitement. A study plan. A fitness goal. A career move. A habit we know will help us grow. At the beginning, energy is high. Progress might be slow from day one, or it might start fast and slow down later as things get more advanced.
Either way, there comes a point where the excitement fades. This is where the wall shows up.
The work starts to feel heavier. Progress feels even slower. What once felt exciting now feels heavier.
The wall can look different for everyone. For some, it is self-doubt. For others, it is feeling stuck or unsure if they are doing things the right way. Sometimes, it is simply being tired. When that happens, many of us pause. We tell ourselves we will come back later, when we feel more ready.
But coming back has a cost.
When we restart, it is rarely easier. Momentum is gone. Small details are forgotten. We spend time rebuilding things we already worked through once. And often, we notice that we slow down or stop around a similar point again.
So here is the question worth asking.
What if the wall is not the real problem?
What if stopping is?
Most walls are not about skill or ability. They are mental. Doubt. Overthinking. Questioning ourselves before giving ourselves enough time to figure things out.
The truth is, we can't learn what we are capable of if we stop the moment things feel hard.
What to Do When You Hit the Wall
Instead of stopping completely, try this.
1. Stay with it a little longer
You do not need to push forever. Just stay longer than you usually would. Even a small step forward keeps momentum alive.
2. Lower the bar, not the effort
Progress does not have to look perfect. Showing up in a smaller way is still showing up.
3. Trust action more than clarity
You do not need all the answers to keep going. Clarity often comes while you are doing the work.
4. Treat discomfort as part of the process
Feeling uncomfortable does not mean you are doing something wrong. It often means you are learning.
When motivation fades, momentum is what keeps you going
Motivation does not last forever. It comes and goes. Momentum is what helps you continue through the slow days, the quiet days, and the days when you no longer feel excited. Small steps, done consistently, make it easier to keep moving forward.
Over time, something shifts.
The wall does not disappear, but it feels less solid. You feel steadier facing it. Not because you suddenly have all the answers, but because you stop seeing discomfort as a reason to quit.
Sometimes growth is not about starting over stronger or finding better motivation.
Sometimes growth is simply about not stopping when things get hard.
And that is the lesson worth remembering.
If you keep going, even slowly, the wall eventually breaks.
Top comments (2)
Great perspective!
Thank you so much.