When you’re close to success, quitting can feel easier than pushing forward. It’s the breaking point where many people give up—and it’s why so few achieve greatness.
Discomfort Peaks Before Breakthroughs
Just before reaching a new level of performance, the pressure and discomfort intensify. This is where the magic of growth happens, but it’s also when many give up, thinking they’ve hit their limit. Push through; the discomfort is temporary.
When I was writing Reimagining Blue, I became so overwhelmed that I felt paralyzed. Strangely, it wasn’t the writing itself that was difficult—it was the challenge of organizing all the content in a way that would truly resonate with readers. There were countless times I wanted to quit. I remember printing out dozens of pages and laying them across the floor of my office, trying to make sense of it all. The room looked like a sea of scattered ideas, and the more I stared at the mess, the more frustrated I became. But I kept showing up at the keyboard. Slowly, the words turned into chapters, and those chapters began to connect. If I had let the frustration stop me, that book would have never seen the light of day.
This is true for any creative process or long-term goal—things often feel hardest right before they come together. In fitness, it’s called the “pain cave,” in business it’s the “valley of despair,” but in both cases, breakthroughs follow perseverance. Push through the discomfort because it’s the key to unlocking that next level of performance.
Failure Looks More Imminent Than Success
At the tipping point, failure often seems more real than success. This is a mental trick your brain plays. In moments like this, fear distorts your perception, making failure appear closer than it actually is. Many successful people talk about near-misses—times they almost gave up right before the big breakthrough. Recognize this pattern and use it to your advantage.
When I started my speaking career, I was giving presentations at very low fees because I didn’t know any better. I spoke in small rooms with scarce audiences. But I loved what I was doing because I believed deeply in the message I was delivering. I knew I was making a difference in people’s lives, but there were moments when I was convinced I’d wake up and the speaking invitations would dry up. I thought about quitting so many times.
But they didn’t dry up. I kept going, improving my presentations, refining my delivery, and showing up with consistency. Then came my break: a national human resources conference. There were attendees from all over the U.S., and that keynote led to seven more speaking engagements in different states. Success was right on the other side of where I nearly gave up.
It was only after I continued to show up that Speaker’s Bureaus began reaching out. Clients were inquiring about me. Now, I’m represented by two Speaker’s Bureaus, booking larger stages, and continuing to share my message about optimism and disruption.
Most Quit Too Soon
Studies show that most people abandon their long-term goals when they are 80% of the way there—just 20% from the finish line. Why? Because the last mile is often the hardest. The frustration builds, the self-doubt creeps in, and the path forward feels blurry.
So what’s the solution? Stay the course longer than you think you need to. This is why habits and discipline matter. It’s not just about talent or motivation. It’s about the habit of sticking with a task when quitting feels like the only answer. I’ve seen this pattern in my career and in the people I coach: success comes to those who hold on just a little longer.
For example, my son Jake is an actor. He’s doing what actors do: auditioning full-time while working various odd jobs to pay the rent. He landed a small part in a movie right out of college and last year, a lead role in a prestigious theater. Then there was a dry spell, and I could see how frustrated he was getting. But he continued to audition. He took more voice lessons. He signed up for acting classes. He invested in himself and continued to hone his craft.
And then came the breakthrough: Jake landed a year-long National tour of a Broadway production. I’m sure there were countless moments when the grind, the rejection, and the uncertainty made him question everything. But deep down, he knows where he belongs—on stage. If he had given up during those tough months, he would have missed out on this life-changing opportunity. The path he’s chosen is riddled with setbacks and ‘no’s,’ but he refuses to back down. For him, there is no plan B—because when you’re all in, quitting simply isn’t an option.
You Can Always Quit Tomorrow
Here’s a strategy that has helped me push through tough moments: when you feel like quitting, tell yourself you can quit tomorrow—but today, you keep going. This small mental shift gives you permission to rest in the moment without fully giving up on the goal.
It’s surprising how often, by the next day, the urge to quit has passed. Sometimes, all you need is to get through one more day, one more task. This mindset trick can save you from making a permanent decision based on temporary emotions.
Success Is Often Just Beyond Your Last Effort
Remind yourself that success isn’t a straight line. It’s often waiting just beyond the point where you thought you’d fail. The night is darkest before the dawn, and the discomfort you feel today is only a sign that growth is happening.
Think of athletes: the last rep, the last sprint, the final push—it’s the hardest, but it’s also where all the strength is built. In business, it’s the final phone call, the last pitch, the email you don’t want to send but do anyway. Keep pushing until you’ve exhausted every option. Don’t stop just because the road looks tough.
As someone who has walked this path, I can promise you—your success is often just one more push away. Don’t let doubt steal what’s waiting for you on the other side. Keep going. The finish line is closer than you think.
