The Real Reason Why So Many People Don’t Succeed When They Take On Big Challenges

A lot of us will come up with a big challenging action and get excited. We say, “I’m going to write a book” or “I’m going to start my own business.” It’s a big thing, and that’s what excites us.
What happens, though, is that we often tend to lose interest even though we were so sure this was gonna be it! Why?
One word: fear. We lose interest because it’s too big. We lose interest because our mind-frick says, “You can’t do this. It’s easier to just live the way you’ve been living already.” So we go back into our old ways, settling for less than what we really actually want to be doing.
So instead of taking on a big challenge, a far easier and much more effective way to get exactly what you want in your life is to create bite-sized, doable actions.
I’m not saying to take smaller actions. I’m saying: think of the first three things that you’re willing to do that will move you towards your big vision.
One of the reasons that we lose interest in big challenges is because our programmed brain is trying to save us from fear of failure. It’s easier for the mind to lose interest than to say, “I’m a failure. I can’t do this.” It’s a safety valve. We don’t want to make ourselves look bad…even to ourselves!
It’s like taking a pill to alleviate pain. Instead of saying, “I can’t do this, and I’m a failure at it,” we say, “It’s not that important to me. I’m not that interested in that anymore.” This is what we do.
Don’t create huge actions for yourself. You can create a huge vision, but how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
Just ask yourself, “What’s my next step?”
Don’t get into the big-thing idea because if you do you’re going to end up losing interest as a failsafe in order to not feel bad about yourself. Keep it simple.
People have asked me, “Harv, when are you going to write another book?” I don’t know. I write for a couple of hours, or one hour. Sometimes I say I’m just going to sit down and write, sometimes I just don’t worry about it.
I bring that up to say that if you want to write a book, for example, just start that way. It’s a lot easier, and you’re happier that way.
Of course, what’s going to happen is that you’re going to have a conditioned mind that’s going to say, “That’s not good enough. You didn’t do enough. You didn’t accomplish enough.” You just tell it thanks for sharing and keep doing what you’re doing.
Give yourself some momentum. A body at rest will tend to remain at rest and a body in motion will tend to stay in motion. Get yourself into a tiny bit of motion.
It’s very interesting when I am writing, by the way. Sometimes I’m doing a bunch of other things. Let’s say I’m watching the hockey game or a movie, and I don’t really feel like continuing to write.
Know what I do? My mind says, “Just relax. You don’t have to write tonight.” But then I urge myself to just check one of the concepts that I wrote on a post-it note and see where that goes in my outline. It will be pretty quick.
Then I pick up the next post-it note and think, “Where does this one go? Oh, wow! That’s cool! This is actually starting to come together and make sense!” Then I start writing maybe for five minutes.
Guess what I’m doing? I’m writing.
I don’t need to prod myself. I just need to do one thing. I just need to get back to the seat, relaxed and easy, pick up one post-it note and enter it. That’s all.
One tiny little step creates momentum.
The goal of this class is to help you create the momentum you need.
You’ll also learn my 7-step system to help you achieve your Level 10 life…one step at a time.
What’s one tiny little thing you can do…every day, every other, whenever…for literally just a few minutes a day, that contributes toward the potential of a major accomplishment?
Share your thoughts, we want to hear from you!
For Your Freedom,







Thanks alot Mr taker harve for your advices, I’m waiting your next book.
I’m from Egypt, I need to attend one of your events, I hope so ?
So true! If we divide the whole project in small tiny pieces that it’s almost impossible to fail at, then the only thing is required to take an action and complete that small piece of work. That’s all we need – one step at a time, one by one.
Loved the message, thank you Harv!
Great stuff. Very true….. But so hard to get.
Interesting you should mention about writing a book because for the last 6 years I have had the desire to write 2 books but always listen to my Mind Gremlin saying ” it is to hard, will take too long, you aren’t an author you just think you are” etc,etc,etc.
Bite sized pieces are achievable and rewarding.
Thank you for that advice.
A very helpful post; A great reminder … one step at a time. Thank you.
Light bulb moment~~!!! I am in the group coaching. I have had a hard time paring down the activities to 3-30 minute activities. I was raised in the should world!!! Have tap danced my whole life doing the shoulds instead of the wants!!! This morning I get up and go OMG!!! I just got it. 3-30 minutes steps toward a goal, then reward!!! Oh Duh!!! I have worked in corporations my whole life, I did exactly what they expected. I don’t remember any rewards but a tiny paycheck. I am now on a mission to convert that ambition to my own work. I am not as self motivated as I thought!!! If I can do it for them, why not for me? It’s kind of like a dance- 123-bow!! LOL
I have been doing exactly the opposite and I am stressed out. So much pressure. What I got from your message is RELAX and, enjoy the JOURNEY. It makes so much sense. Thank you so much
I find the hardest part is to START. Once you’ve begun, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to keep going. Once you’re going, you’ll discover the fear is gone.
EXCELLENT advice . . . . I’ve heard it before but it’s SINKING IN!!! thanks for the motivation!
What is fear anyway . . . . . False Evidence Appearing Real;
well . . . time to GET MOVING N SHAKING! BLESSINGS!!!!
We love what is familiar even if it’s not serving us for our higher good. We need to choose what is unfamiliar!
Nature works in a similar fashion. For example, a complex biochemical reaction, such as the glycolytic pathway, does not follow a one-and-only step, instead, it is broken down into ten doable steps. And the more energy demanding gluconeogenesis , which requieres more energy input, takes even more, yet smaller steps.
It’s like all those salmons swimming up the river, jumping small heights at a time, until reaching their destiny.
Thanks Harv.
My take-away is that relaxing while taking steps are both key…thanks, Harv!
The way you put it, it is easier to lose interest than to think we are a failure. That hit the nail on the head for me. And with that thought I certainly see how we all can do that. I don’t want to think of myself as a failure…
Mom just died. I took care of her full time for many years. One step at a time I am rebuilding my life. If I look at the big picture I get impatient and frustrated. I have published books, I do every thing I need and want to do….But getting back to my life is very hard. One step at the time I am sure I will suceed.
Marta May
Hi Marta, u can make it!
U can write n publish books after books! The Lord bless the work of our hands!
SIM, REALMENTE PEQUENOS PASSOS, PODE NOS LEVAR A GRANDES SUCESSOS
you are Angel send from heaven to guide &help us .
God Bless you with All the best life can offer
Thanks A million 🙂
Harv writing is one of the most difficult things to do. Great ideas usually come to me at three in the morning when I can’t write them down. By morning my mind is busy with daily living.
Thanks for Hard, you do inspire me a lot, specially through your book ” secrets of the millionaires mind”.
Through my experience, it’s good way to start with small step. But it still far away the big goal. So the next one, very important tool is mind set that pinpoint in the book that will push harder,faster and automatic.
To my freedom and all of you. 🙂
Fear of failure is difficult to face. But one can not succeed without taking the chance and trying. I like what you said: “So instead of taking on a big challenge, a far easier and much more effective way to get exactly what you want in your life is to create bite-sized, doable actions.”
Thank youv Harv for every single word I read for you.
I realy got a huge benefit from you.
Thank you so much.
With my regards.
Its actually works! A amazing thing I had noticed in last 2&1/2 year is that every book of personality development, or inspiration says same thing that dear Harv sir mentioned in millionaire mind.
VERY much appreciated Harv!!! Thanks so much once again!
Thanks Harv! You are awsome. I must write a book.Now I have 300 pages but i must write a few more. Last time I have big crisis with myself but now i know what to do. One bit a time ;). My english was so bad few moths ago, but systematically I read your articles and I understand more and more. Greetings from Poland
It is amazing from the second I picked up your book everything makes sense. I have started my own business and published 7 books on Amazon Kindle. I am starting another book and will take it one bite at a time as well as working on my business. You are truly an inspiration to so many and helping millions of people.
“No es la situación que crea sus resultados en la vida; siempre es su reacción a la situación que determinará su vida “.
Tremenda vedad esa frase. Mr Harv, muchas gracias por esas enseñanzas.
I would start on a goal, then stop progressing or trying to accomplish if I was rejected. I could hear the voice in my ear saying things like, “you really didn’t want that anyway”, “nobody wants to help you”, there’s nobody that wants anything out of life, why bother”. So I stop trying. Then sometimes I would feel flutters in my stomach whenever I would start something new. Once I really did get sick and throw up… I stopped progressing for about 3 days… FEAR is a strong emotion when your brain is trying to keep you “safe”. Now, even though I still get those “feelings” in my stomach, I move forward anyway. I might take a break for a few minutes, take a walk, but I come RIGHT BACK TO TASK, and the feeling passes. Thank you Harv for your encouragement. You have helped me re-commit to my dreams.
Thanks again Harv – Both this advice and the advice about seeking happiness regardless of circumstances are so powerful – now to apply them!!
I love this man. Seriously.
thank you T. Harv – for always motivating.
Hi – this is Maureen, from Singapore.
Indeed – a journey of a thousand miles start from a single step – Lao Tzu.
This applies to whatever we do – in studies, in work, and in business too.
Dismiss fear and face challenges is the right attitude to life.
Life is not about dreaming wide dreams and lofty ambitions. It’s about taking concrete steps – each step of the way.