When Not To Start Over
Dear Collective Community,
This week’s intention is: “If you are tired of starting over, stop giving up.” It’s a straightforward idea, but one that carries a lot of truth. Starting over can be necessary at times, but what if instead, we focused on building the knowledge and perseverance to move beyond the starting point? Think about it like a video game—if you’re constantly replaying Level 1, are you truly improving at the game, or just mastering that one level? While we may learn the basics, we could miss out on experiencing the full scope of the journey by never advancing further.
Consider Mark Twain’s witty remark: “Quitting smoking is easy; I’ve done it a million times.” The lesson here isn’t just about starting over—it’s about finding the resolve to keep going, even when things get tough. If we give up at every misstep, we’re likely to fall back into the very habits we were trying to escape. The key is to learn from our setbacks, adjust, and move forward stronger than before.
Starting over can feel frustrating, especially when it seems like you’re stuck repeating the same steps. But each attempt brings something valuable: experience, insight, and new tools to help you overcome the next challenge. Life isn’t about being perfect—it’s about making progress. The goal is to keep pushing a little further each time.
Here are three steps to help you stay on track and tackle what’s ahead:
Review Your Strategy: Reflect on what worked and what didn’t during previous attempts. Use those lessons to set yourself up for future success. Don’t dwell on mistakes—analyze and adapt.
Commit Beyond the Motivation Phase: Motivation will get you started, but discipline keeps you moving forward. Break your goals into small, achievable milestones to maintain momentum when motivation fades.
Embrace the Challenge: Growth happens outside your comfort zone. The toughest “levels” in life aren’t there to defeat you—they’re there to help you grow. Approach them with determination.
This week, instead of starting over, let’s aim higher. Let’s take everything we’ve learned and use it to keep moving forward. Each small victory brings you closer to the person you’re becoming. You’ve got this.
With strength & persistence,
Charlie
We, The Collective Fitness
