I often find myself discouraged when I start analyzing the criteria for success. This often starts with browsing through profiles of successful writers, checking out their stories, and taking note of the special things they do. I end up with a list of things that I can do, but one thing that stands out every time is their consistency.

For someone who is new to writing blogs, I like to read more than I write and in that process, I see a lot of different profiles.

1. The one-off writers: People who have written just one or two stories.

2. Inconsistent writers: People who have written for a few weeks/months.

3. Consistent writers: People who have been writing for a long time and continue to do so.

A large majority of people fall into the second category. Not just for writing, for everything else. You will find people following this pattern everywhere you see. They start with all the motivation they have, go all in, and suddenly drop.

The Problem

The reason for them to drop is not because they don’t see any progress, it is only because they compare their progress to someone who is making more progress. That gives them a feeling of not doing enough, or rather not getting enough for their hard work.

This is why trainers place blinders on horses’ bridles so the horse doesn’t get distracted by what’s next to or behind them and stay focused on what’s in front of them. The blinders also prevent the horse from getting spooked too easily.

Just like the horse, you are an athlete. You’re training and competing every day. Competitors are prone to comparison, the ultimate performance killer. It’s self-sabotage because it takes our eyes off the prize.

The Solution

Using blinders is a good approach for horses but not for us because we are smart enough to figure out a way to get distracted again. We have to get to the root of the problem.

The problem on the surface is lack of focus but deep down it is more about the fear of not making it. The fear of not being able to fulfill the dream. The dream that we all share of becoming better, achieving greater, and fulfilling life’s purpose.

“Once you become fearless life becomes limitless.”

There is no fear that cannot be conquered. Once we get rid of the fear, we set ourselves on the right journey, a journey worth completing. And with the right amount of patience and dedication, nothing can stop us.