Don’t Quit: The Reminder You Need to Hear When You Feel Unmotivated | The Mel Robbins Podcast

Intro

In this episode of “The Mel Robbins Podcast,” Mel Robbins discusses the concept of “quitter’s day” and provides valuable insights and strategies to stay motivated and avoid giving up on your goals. She emphasizes the importance of understanding why you wanted to make a change in the first place and offers encouragement to keep pushing forward, even when faced with challenges and setbacks.

Main Takeaways

The Phenomenon of “Quitter’s Day”

• The concept of “quitter’s day” is a phenomenon where most people quit new health goals around day 19 of starting a new routine.
• Understanding “quitter’s day” can help individuals avoid quitting by navigating around it like a pothole in the road.
• Research from Strava, a fitness app, based on 800 million user logged activities, revealed that day 19 is when most people are likely to give up on their New Year’s resolutions.
• “Quitter’s day” is relevant anytime a change is made, not just at the beginning of the year, and can also apply to challenges like dry January or whole 30.

Challenges of Making Significant Changes

• Making significant changes in life can be challenging and require a lot of energy and effort.
• It’s common to feel frustrated and rebel against oneself when the initial motivation wears off.
• Feeling like quitting often arises when results are not immediately visible, especially after making changes while on vacation.
• The transition from a new routine to the old familiar life can be overwhelming and make the changes feel like a lot of work.

Overcoming Setbacks and Staying Motivated

• Missing a day does not erase the progress made in developing new habits.
• Scientifically, missing one day does not mean falling off the wagon and losing all progress.
• Around this time, many people quit their habits due to exhaustion or missing a day, but you can overcome this by adding a day instead of quitting.
• Remind yourself why you wanted to make the change in the first place, and use resources like the University of Oregon’s research to help answer what you want and why you want it.
• Encouragement from someone who believes in you can help you stay motivated, even when others around you may not be supporting your goals.

Building Confidence and Embracing Failure

• Confidence is essential to push through the hardest moments and keep going.
• True confidence is forged in fire, through failures and hardships.
• Overcoming setbacks can lead to unexpected opportunities and growth.
• Embracing failure and taking risks is driven by the desire to live life to the fullest.
• Every failure equips us with valuable lessons and wisdom for future endeavors.
• Confidence is a skill that is built and a habit that is maintained, despite challenges and hardships.

Time, Energy, and Pursuing Dreams

• Spending time every day working on something that truly matters brings more meaning and joy into life.
• Redirecting time and energy toward the things you want can change your life.
• The process of achieving your dreams is not complicated if you pour time and energy into it every day.
• Being intentional and taking responsibility for what you want can lead to significant changes.
• Working on your dreams every day can turn them into the center of your life.

Summary

The Phenomenon of “Quitter’s Day”

According to research from Strava, most people tend to quit their new health goals around day 19, which is known as “quitter’s day.” This phenomenon is not limited to New Year’s resolutions but can apply to any change or challenge. By understanding the concept of “quitter’s day,” individuals can proactively navigate around it and avoid giving up on their goals.

Challenges of Making Significant Changes

Making significant changes in life requires a lot of energy and effort. It is common to feel frustrated and rebel against oneself when the initial motivation wears off. Feeling like quitting often arises when immediate results are not visible, especially after making changes while on vacation. The transition from a new routine to the old familiar life can be overwhelming and make the changes feel like a lot of work.

Overcoming Setbacks and Staying Motivated

It is important to remember that missing a day does not erase the progress made in developing new habits. Scientifically, missing one day does not mean falling off the wagon and losing all progress. Instead of quitting, adding a day can help overcome the temptation to give up. Reminding yourself why you wanted to make the change in the first place and seeking encouragement from supportive individuals can also help you stay motivated.

Building Confidence and Embracing Failure

Confidence plays a crucial role in pushing through the hardest moments and staying motivated. True confidence is built through failures and hardships, and embracing setbacks can lead to unexpected opportunities and personal growth. Every failure provides valuable lessons and wisdom for future endeavors. Building and maintaining confidence is a skill that requires perseverance and resilience.

Time, Energy, and Pursuing Dreams

Spending time every day working on what truly matters brings more meaning and joy into life. Redirecting time and energy towards desired goals can lead to significant life changes. Pursuing dreams does not have to be complicated; it requires consistent dedication and effort. Being intentional and taking responsibility for what you want can turn your dreams into the center of your life.

Conclusion

Understanding the phenomenon of “quitter’s day” and the challenges of making significant changes can help individuals stay motivated and avoid giving up on their goals. By embracing setbacks, building confidence, and redirecting time and energy towards their dreams, individuals can create meaningful and fulfilling lives. It is important to remember that every failure is an opportunity for growth and that confidence is a skill that can be developed. With perseverance and determination, anyone can overcome obstacles and achieve their desired outcomes.