The Real Reason You’re Not Making Progress (And How to Fix It)
Success isn’t about how much willpower you have – March 13, 2025 Edition
Most people believe that lack of motivation is the reason they’re not making progress. They think:
"If I just push harder, I’ll finally break through."
But here’s the truth: You don’t need more motivation. You need a better system.
Success isn’t about how much willpower you have—it’s about how well your habits and environment are designed to make progress inevitable.
The Problem: Why Progress Feels Stuck
Many people assume that working harder will solve everything. But if effort alone was enough, everyone would be fit, wealthy, and successful. The real issue? We unknowingly set ourselves up for failure by making progress harder than it needs to be.
Common struggles include:
You want to exercise, but your workout gear is buried in the closet.
You want to read more, but your phone is the first thing you grab.
You want to write, but your workspace is cluttered and full of distractions.
Quote:
"We first make our habits, and then our habits make us." – John Dryden
Your success is not about how much discipline you have—it’s about designing an environment that makes good choices automatic and bad habits inconvenient.
Here are three key strategies to fix this.
The Fix: Make Success Easier
1. Change Your Environment, Not Your Willpower
Most people try to force themselves to make better choices, but the easiest way to change behavior is to remove friction from the habits you want to build.
If you want to drink more water, keep a glass at your desk.
If you want to eat healthier, put fresh fruit at eye level in your fridge.
If you want to stop scrolling social media, charge your phone in another room.
Quote:
"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new." – Socrates
If you have to fight against your environment every day, you will eventually lose. Instead, make the right habits the easiest option and the wrong ones harder to do.
2. Track Progress, Even If It’s Small
A big reason people feel stuck is because they don’t see their progress—even when it’s happening. Most improvement is invisible at first, so if you don’t track it, you’ll feel like you’re failing.
Practical ways to do this:
Use a habit tracker. A simple checklist makes invisible progress visible.
Celebrate small wins. Even a small step forward is still progress.
Avoid perfectionism. Focus on consistency rather than flawless execution.
Quote:
"What gets measured gets managed." – Peter Drucker
Tracking doesn’t have to be complicated. Even marking an “X” on the calendar builds momentum. When you see progress stacking up, you will feel motivated to keep going.
3. Use Identity-Based Habits
Most people focus on outcomes (e.g., "I want to run a marathon"). But long-term change happens when you shift your identity (e.g., "I am a runner").
Instead of:
"I want to stop procrastinating." → "I am the type of person who takes action quickly."
"I need to go to the gym." → "I am someone who never skips workouts."
Quote:
"Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are." – James Allen
You won’t always feel motivated, but when you build an identity that aligns with your goals, you will take action naturally.
Final Thought
The secret to making progress isn’t about doing more—it’s about removing friction and designing systems that work for you.
Make success easy.
Track small wins.
Become the type of person who follows through.
When you fix your system, progress becomes automatic.
Reflection for You
What is one area in your life where you can reduce friction this week?
Reply and let me know. I read every response.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you found this valuable, you will love my book, Habit Sequencing. It teaches you how to create a system that works for you—so you can stop struggling and start making progress effortlessly.
Learn how to build powerful habits step-by-step.
Get your copy here → Order Now
Until next time, keep making progress.
— Pierre