PERSONAL NOTE

Last month's topic was dealing with unexpected life's curves, and boy, I didn't know I was writing that for myself.  In the newsletter, I wished my sister a Happy Birthday, and four days later, she passed away quite suddenly.  When the initial shock wore off, I realized it would be a good idea if I reread the material I had prepared for all of you.  You know, follow my own counsel.  I want to thank everyone for your prayers, well wishes, cards, and flowers. I am touched by the outreach. That's what humanity is all about...being there for each other during the good and bad times. Thank you again! 

ARTICLE

Don’t Quit Before Your Breakthrough

Have you ever started something new and immediately thought, “Well, this isn’t going well…”? That was me recently while playing a game. My first scores were embarrassingly low, and I felt the urge to quit. I caught myself thinking, “Why keep going if I’m clearly not good at this?”

But I decided to stick with it. Level after level, something surprising happened. My scores climbed. What began as a rocky, discouraging start ended up with me hitting my personal best — a record high score that I never would have seen if I had stopped too soon. That little gaming moment got me thinking about how often life works the same way.

When we try something new — a habit, a skill, a role, even a relationship — the early results are rarely smooth. It’s easy to judge the effort by that first chapter. Maybe you go to the gym a few times and feel sore without seeing results. Or you start a new job, and the learning curve makes you feel clumsy. Or you are practicing a new communication skill, and it comes out awkward instead of polished. The temptation is strong to label the whole effort a failure.

However, the truth is that beginnings are messy by design. Growth isn’t supposed to look perfect right away. The “low scores” are part of the process, not a verdict on your future success.

We also forget that progress isn’t linear. Improvement usually comes with ups and downs, two steps forward and one step back. Sometimes it even looks like you’re stuck in neutral when, in reality, you’re just building a foundation. Those small, invisible shifts — learning, adjusting, strengthening — set the stage for the breakthrough moments later.

If you stop too soon, you rob yourself of the chance to see that growth kick in. The messy middle may not be glamorous, but it’s where the real work gets done.

Think about a plane taking off. It uses most of its fuel just to get off the ground. The early part of the journey feels like the hardest because it is the hardest. But once it reaches altitude, momentum takes over, and the ride gets smoother. Your efforts work the same way. They require patience, persistence, and a willingness to keep showing up even when it feels like things are going slowly.

So, here’s my encouragement for you this month: don’t let a shaky start convince you that you’re not capable. Don’t judge your entire story based on the introduction. Trust that your persistence is building something, even if you can’t yet see the results.

Sometimes the difference between a “failure” and a record high score is simply not stopping too soon. Keep going. Your best outcome may be just a few actions away. 

COOL RESOURCE

Don't Quit: You have to do mistakes, if you want to have success in life.  By Peter Sanczel 

In a world obsessed with success stories, Don’t Quit takes you behind the scenes—into the messy, painful, powerful moments where true growth is born.  If you want to check it out, here's the link.    Check the book out here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

If you are attending the California Escrow Association conference in Irvine this month, please let me know so we can connect.  

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Stay safe, healthy, and happy!

Coach Jan