936 | 5 Reasons You Keep Quitting On Yourself (and how to stop!)

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• The primary reason people quit their dreams is when a "voice of authority" tells them no, which is especially damaging if one was raised not to trust their own inner wisdom.  Copied to clipboard!
• Stop wasting energy trying to convince naysayers of your vision; your dream requires all your grit and tenacity, which is depleted by trying to win over those who cannot see it.  Copied to clipboard!
• If someone else has already achieved your dream, it is an excuse to quit, as your unique story, perspective, and community are needed to bring your version of that dream to life.  Copied to clipboard!

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Stop Wasting Energy on Naysayers

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(00:01:01)

• Key Takeaway: Spending energy convincing those who cannot see your vision is a waste of resources needed for dream execution.
• Summary: Stop giving energy to people who cannot see your vision; your dream requires grit, tenacity, and courage, and convincing others drains these vital resources. The focus must be on self-conviction and immediate action rather than seeking external validation. This redirection of energy is crucial for making the dream come true.

Introduction and Tenacity Key

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(00:02:02)

• Key Takeaway: Tenacity is the essential key to pursuing success and overcoming the inevitable setbacks that cause people to quit their dreams.
• Summary: The episode addresses why people give up on their dreams, often feeling defeated by year-end fatigue or life’s difficulties. The willingness to try again, believing in oneself repeatedly, is identified as the core element of success. The host aims to pump listeners up to avoid quitting by focusing on this necessary tenacity.

Reason 1: Voice of Authority Says No

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(00:04:55)

• Key Takeaway: Rejection from an authority figure can kill dreams, especially for those conditioned to trust external wisdom over inner guidance.
• Summary: A major reason people quit is when an authority figure rejects their dream, leading the individual to interpret the rejection as a sign they should not pursue the goal. This is particularly potent for those raised to rely on others’ judgment rather than their own inner wisdom. The host shares her personal story of being told her initial book manuscript was ’too sweet’ by publishing authorities, nearly derailing her career.

Handling Unsolicited Opinions

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(00:19:58)

• Key Takeaway: Do not confront or waste energy trying to convince loved ones who doubt your vision; focus your limited resources on execution.
• Summary: When opinions are unsolicited, especially from those in the ‘cheap seats’ (those not in the arena), they should be ignored as they drain necessary energy. If you ask for an opinion, you open the door to criticism, but if you are simply pursuing your path, you do not need to justify it. The realization that many opinions are given without being asked for is a powerful shift in perspective.

Reason 2: Someone Else Beats You To It

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(00:29:17)

• Key Takeaway: The belief that ’everything has been done’ is a flimsy excuse preventing you from sharing your necessary, unique perspective.
• Summary: The idea that someone else has already done your dream is an excuse used to avoid facing fear or competition. Everything has been done, but it has not been done by you, with your specific story, humor, and community. Chasing trends or copying others prevents finding your true voice and community, which is essential for lasting success.

Reason 3: The Dream Is Too Hard

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(00:31:21)

• Key Takeaway: Difficulty is the price of admission for a better future, and familiar struggles are often chosen over unfamiliar, potentially better outcomes.
• Summary: Feeling that a dream is ’too hard’ is a reality, not an excuse, as creating a future better than the past is inherently difficult. People often stay in a ‘familiar hell’ because the hard work required for an ‘unfamiliar heaven’ is unknown and uncomfortable. To combat this, break the large dream into small, actionable, bite-sized pieces using a roadmap framework, and surround yourself with other ‘dreamers’ flying at a higher altitude.

Reason 4: Taking Too Long

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(00:38:08)

• Key Takeaway: People overestimate yearly progress but drastically underestimate what they can accomplish in a decade, requiring a focus on long-term growth.
• Summary: Tony Robbins’ quote highlights that short-term results often lead to frustration, but long-term perspective reveals massive progress. If results are stagnant despite consistent effort, the action plan or the psychology of the person at the top (you) needs adjustment. Changing the psychology—such as self-belief or feeling deserving of success—can be more critical than changing the marketing actions.

Reason 5: Short-Term Failure Becomes Permanent

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(00:43:14)

• Key Takeaway: Failure is a temporary experience, and allowing a short-term setback to become a long-term life decision forfeits future potential.
• Summary: Taking ownership means admitting when you are wrong and learning from mistakes, but women often over-own failures while neglecting to credit their successes. Listeners are challenged to write a letter to themselves from their ’tenacity’ or ‘grit’ to account for all the awesome things they have already accomplished. Do not let mediocre people remind you of past failures; focus on the distance traveled and find a strong enough ‘why’ to keep going.