5 Common Reasons Why People Give Up on Their Projects

We know that finishing what you set out to do isn’t easy. Even if you’re well aware of the benefits of the project you’ve started, the programme that will take you closer to your purpose, or you happen to have the strongest willpower in the world, distractions are always lurking. And while tenacity and drive are essential traits for any entrepreneur, the temptation to give up often shows up as the easiest way out.

We’re not talking about light distractions, which can even be a well-deserved reward once you’ve completed half a task. In that case, they can serve as motivation to carry on. But when those distractions become frequent, you need to learn how to manage them. Otherwise, you may forget your goals. They’ll become obstacles that eventually lead you to abandon your dreams, and the plan you once created to become the CEO of your own life.

The good news? If you know what these barriers are, you’ll be able to avoid them, or face them head-on. You’ll carry on with your ideas, without letting them get in the way of your determination. To help you identify them, here are five reasons why it’s so easy for people to give up on their projects.

1. Not having a clear purpose
   If your goals aren’t clearly defined, it will be much easier to fall into procrastination. Purpose gives you direction and clarity, it helps you stay focused on what you want to achieve. Without it, giving up becomes the easy option.

   Solution: Set smart goals. Write down what you want to achieve with your project and why it matters. Find a reason strong enough to keep you going until the end.

2. Having bad habits (and doing nothing to change them)
   Spending too much time on social media is a great example of a habit you should cut back on to make more time for your project — but it’s not the only one. Many habits can lead to procrastination and should be addressed.

   Solution: Bad habits destroy good plans. It might be difficult at first, but replace your routines with ones that support your goals. The reward might not be instant, but it will be worth it.

3. Having unrealistic role models
   The typical “under 30 millionaire” lists can be one of the biggest traps, especially if you don’t interpret them with perspective. Are they inspiring? Yes. Should you compare yourself to them? Absolutely not. If you become obsessed with mimicking unicorn startup founders, frustration will likely set in, and that’s when the urge to give up becomes strong.

   Solution: There’s nothing wrong with having high expectations, but unrealistic ones will do more harm than good. Don’t confuse the two. Think about the percentage of under-30 millionaires in the world. Exactly. Ask yourself what your definition of success is, and make a plan to achieve your version of it.

4. Surrounding yourself with people who’ve given up
   If you want to see your ideas through, stay away from people who’ve given up on their own goals. Their “advice” might sound like: “There’s no way that’ll work.” “It’s lovely to dream, but be realistic.” “What makes you think you’ll succeed where others have failed?” They speak from their own reality — likely shaped by things they once heard or told themselves. But their doubts reflect their limits, not yours. They have no idea how far you could go.

   Solution: If you’re hearing this kind of talk every day… it’s time to change the people you surround yourself with.

5. Not putting yourself out there
   Asking for feedback can naturally trigger some insecurity, but talking about your project and sharing it with others can be incredibly enriching. It will help you make progress and give you a fresh dose of motivation to keep going.

   Solution: Ask for feedback from a community where you feel comfortable and supported like the Explorer community, where entrepreneurs share similar questions, challenges and goals. Remember: goals are reached faster when you’re not alone, but with the input of others.

Now you can recognise the most common excuses for giving up. So, avoid them and keep moving forward with your idea!

Photo by SEO Galaxy on Unsplash