Post #7

“In general, people tend to have more motivation at the start of pursuing a goal and at the end when they get close to or start to perceive the finish line.” - Andrew Huberman

The middle problem is the void of motivation that happens in the middle of pursuing a goal: 

• Day 4 of a 1 week social media cleanse 

• Week 6 of a 3 month calorie deficit

• Mile 2 of a 4 mile run

• Year 2 of a 3 year MBA program

It’s natural to feel our lowest at the deepest point in the transformation, but this is the stage where true change happens. When all the external benefits are stripped away, all that is left is you and the work. 

There are two ways to eliminate the middle problem: 

• Practical — Break up the middle into its own parts:

  • Day 4 is just a morning, afternoon, and evening without social media. 

  • Week 6 is just a few days of meal choices. 

  • Mile 2 is just two half-mile increments. 

  • Year 2 is a Fall Semester and Spring Semester of learning and experimentation. 

• Philosophical — When it’s just you and the work ahead, you have the opportunity to truly learn about who you are and what you’re made of: 

  • Day 4, Week 6, Mile 2, and Year 2: When there is no motivation, do you still have the discipline and systems to pursue your goals? Yes, it is difficult, but anything worth having requires sacrifice. 

Stack the practical and philosophical and you’ll eliminate the Middle Problem.

PK