Feel like quitting? Dig deep

Hey Reader,

So often, we take on really big goals and encounter tough challenges. That point where we get punched in the face, beaten up, down, and almost giving up. Then comes the inner “bitch” voice that tries to talk us out of pushing through.

Today, we’ll explore how to recognize this clever voice that justifies quitting when it gets freaking hard.

⛔ My biggest failure in 2012

In 2012, I was on a journey from being extremely overweight to getting reasonably fit. I started CrossFit, got into running with a running group, and completed my first marathon. A trail marathon in a little town called Leadville, which introduced me to a very special community.

At the end of the trail marathon in June, they drew a raffle for places in the 100-mile race to take place two months later, and my number was drawn. The ambitious part of me said “Fuck it. Let’s give it a go.” I began training. I trained hard for two months and showed up on the start line of the 100-mile race. And then, I failed. I made it to mile 87 before missing the time cutoff. Sounds noble, right?

And to make myself feel even better, heroic even, I could argue that I rolled my ankle at about mile 56 coming down the big climb. Then I proceeded to run with a bummed ankle for another 30 miles. So not a surprise you might argue that I justifiably missed the time cutoff at 87 miles.

But that’s not the true story.

​

🧠 “Everyone Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Face” - Mike Tyson

The real story which took me years to process and admit is that I quit. When taking on a big audacious goal, a pressing deadline can be a forcing factor. In my case, I had two months to get ready for the big race. I was surrounded by an awesome running group who had done what I was aiming for and crushed it. I trained with them, learned from them, mimicked their dressing, and got myself in the best position and prepared as I could be even to small details.

As the day of the race got closer, I began to visualize the different sections of the race, and what it would feel like to achieve the milestones of this big goal. But at mile 56, I got punched in the face. I was running a little too fast trying to keep up with my pacer, I rolled an ankle, and my race changed.

Instinctively, I went into problem-solving about what to do with the ankle.

🏳️ I Yielded

Adrenaline kicked in.

I continued for a while, but there came a point where the adrenaline wore off and it started to get really hard. Eventually, the pain set in, and the voice in my head started to come in.

“You had no business being on the start line”.
“It’s incredible that you’ve made it to mile 75”.
“There’s no expectation to finish this with a rolled ankle.”

These are rational and logical excuses to justify the desire to stop running so that the pain can subside. So halfway up the Powerline climb, which was the last big climb of the race, inside I quit. I slowed down so much that deep down I knew I would miss the next time cut off, and that would allow me to stop the race, stop moving, and stop the pain.

❤ Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever

Moments after missing that time cut-off, and my race was over, I felt immediate regret. Sitting in the car with my crew being driven back home, I was broken. All kinds of thoughts started swirling in my head.

“Maybe I could have kept going and just finished the race”.
“Even if I had just walked in with my crew and finished the 100 miles”.
“Even if I had missed the cutoff at the finish line, and not been the official finisher, I still would have completed the mission of running 100 miles”.

The physical pain and fatigue faded, but the regret of quitting haunted me for years. Three years later, I returned and finished the race, and those demons were finally put to rest. What seemed like a logical decision to quit became this huge emotional regret and reminder of how that moment of weakness allowed me talk myself out of greatness.

Looking back, I realize that the pain of quitting is far worse than the discomfort you experience when pursuing an audacious goal.

👐 Recognize The Bitch Voice

When working towards a really big goal, the bitch voice will always justify why you should quit when it gets hard. It tells you all the valid excuses you want to hear. It is very logical, clever, and rational. But in these moments, reflect on your big vivid vision - the big picture of the goal you’ve been working towards.

Acknowledge that the pain and suffering is temporary. Take a stand to push through instead of quitting. Appreciate the pain and make friends with it. That is where the magic, growth, and breakthrough happens. The emotional and spiritual reward you’ll get in terms of character and confidence is worth it.

And the tough challenges you overcome catapult you to higher levels in your life, business, personal, and professional goals.

💪 Just Get it Done

When you’re working towards a big goal, it’s going to get hard. Visualize the moment after that challenge when you meet one of your good friends who asks, “How did it go”? Either you spend 45 minutes with some “how the dog ate my homework story” explaining all the logical reasons — the things that went wrong and were out of your control - to justify why you failed to achieve that goal and quit.

Or in one sentence, you simply answer, “I got it done”.
No explanation. No justification. Just a simple statement of success.

Think about which of these options you want to manifest in the aftermath of your big goal. In those moments of pain and suffering, I encourage you to dig deep, commit, and get it done.

With appreciation,
Huw

P.S: What’s your ‘100-mile race’? Need help with tackling challenges? Feel free to reply to this email for tips to push through your limits.

​