How many times have you thought to yourself, "This is not for me", "I will never make it," or "I am just wasting my time"? I have had those thoughts frequently, and in most cases, I ended up quitting whenever frustration and discouragement set in.

As Ryan suggests, it is entirely normal to feel discouraged and even to go through tough times. We should not feel guilty or ashamed of these emotions. However, we should not let them dictate our actions to the point of giving up.

This is not my first attempt to start a newsletter, blog, or online presence, or to be consistent in my writing. In fact, I made my first attempts more than ten years ago, but I felt discouraged by the low response, my struggles with English (which is not my native language), and the difficulty in finding time and focus to write. As a result, I quit and redirected my energy elsewhere.

Yes, you can do whatever you want

As an engineer, I am skilled in tech and math. I used to believe that I could never be good at something like writing. However, this is a fixed mindset, and it took me a long time to understand the concept of a growth mindset. The truth is, anyone can learn any skill with the right mindset, effort, and time. It may not be easy, quick, or effortless, but it is possible.

When I started to explore writing, I realized that I didn't know how to write. However, there are numerous resources available on the internet, such as YouTube videos, podcasts, and books on the subject. I could learn from people who are experts in the field for free. Most importantly, I didn't need to be an expert to start.

The next time negative thoughts surface in my mind, such as "I will never be able to do this," I remind myself that it is just a temporary state, and I can learn how to do it. I change my mindset from a fixed one to a growth one, and I focus on the learning process.

Set achievable goals

Goal setting is something I have struggled with in the past. While it is important to set ambitious goals, it is equally essential to make sure they are attainable and realistic. Goals such as "becoming a writer" or "writing a fiction book" may be too big if we are just starting out. Therefore, it is more effective to set goals as habits that are easy to follow.

For example, I have set the following goals for myself:

Write for one hour every day

Watch courses and lessons on writing

The next step is to identify the tasks needed to accomplish these goals. These tasks can be as simple as finding an hour in our calendar and blocking that time slot to work towards our goal. By focusing on building habits, we can make progress towards our long-term goals in a sustainable and achievable way.

Small incremental improvements

We often set high expectations for ourselves regarding what we can achieve in a week or a month, but we fail to recognize the impact of consistent small improvements over a more extended period.

For instance, many people go to the gym, hoping to see a significant increase in muscle mass after a few months. However, when they don't see the desired results, they often give up, thinking it's too much effort for too little gain.

But what if we aimed to be just 1% better at the end of each gym session? If we achieve this small improvement consistently, what could it mean for us in a year, three years, or even ten years? The answer is that we could see a very different person in the mirror.

Therefore, we should focus on being 1% better than the day before. This seemingly small improvement is not too little; in fact, it can have a significant impact in the long term. By consistently making small improvements, we can achieve our goals and become the person we aspire to be.

Keep a Journal

It's all too easy to lose track of our progress and feel like we're not making any headway towards our goals. That's why it's important to keep a journal and record what you've done towards a specific goal. This way, you can reflect on your progress and identify any areas for improvement.

Whether you prefer a physical or digital journal, find a space to jot down what you're doing and make sure to set aside time for regular reviews. By doing this, you'll stay on track and build the confidence you need to achieve your goal.

Remember, progress can be slow and incremental, so it's important to celebrate even the smallest achievements. A journal can help you recognize how far you've come and motivate you to keep going. So, whether you're pursuing a personal or professional goal, start keeping a journal today and take control of your progress.

To sum up

It's common to feel discouraged or overwhelmed when pursuing a new skill or goal at the point we might decide to quit and lose a great opportunity to change our

• Having a growth mindset and a willingness to learn can help overcome these feelings.
• Setting realistic and achievable goals, as well as breaking them down into manageable habits, can help with progress.
• Focusing on small, incremental improvements (even just 1%) can lead to big gains in the long-term.
• Keeping a journal to track progress and reflect on achievements can provide motivation and help identify areas for improvement.