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How to Push Through the Grind and Start Achieving Your Goals
Struggling to get started on your business or personal goals? Discover a simple mental model to stay consistent, overcome doubt, and build momentum for success.
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Whenever I start something new ā whether itās a business, a project, or even something like a YouTube channel ā I always come back to this mental model. Itās simple, but it has served me well, and itās something Iāve seen successful founders use time and again.
Hereās how it works:
Imagine youāre standing in a field with 100 dirt mounds. Underneath two of them is $1 million each, but you donāt know which ones. Each mound takes two hours to dig up, and digging isnāt easy ā itās hard, physical work.
When faced with this challenge, people tend to respond in one of three ways:
- The Shortcut TakersĀ This group doesnāt want to get dirty. They try to avoid the work ā poking at the dirt, kicking the mounds, or brainstorming clever tricks. But nothing they do actually moves the dirt. Eventually, they convince themselves itās impossible and give up.
- The DoubtersĀ This group starts strong. They grab a shovel and dig into a few mounds. But after five or six mounds with no results, doubt creeps in. They start to think, āWhat if thereās no money at all?ā The work feels harder, the reward seems further away, and they eventually stop digging.
- The DiggersĀ This is the group that succeeds. They grab a shovel, start digging, and donāt stop. They know the only way to find the reward is to keep going. Even if they donāt find the money right away, they think, āAt worst, Iāll get stronger, Iāll get better at digging, and Iāll learn along the way.ā
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Why Business Can Feel Like Playing Whac-a-Mole
For me, this mental model boils down to two things:
- Having the right or no expectations:Ā Ā Seeing meaningful results takes time and effort.
- Doing the work consistently:Ā Ā The only way to get results is to keep going, and refining as you learn new things.
This applies to anything new you start. Whether itās launching a business, creating content, or pitching an idea, the beginning is always the toughest.
Applying This to Your Business
When starting something new, hereās what I typically expect:
Stage 1: The Grind
Youāll reach out to 100 people, and if youāre lucky, 2-3 will say yes. Most will say no. Not because your idea isnāt good, but because they donāt know or trust you yet.
What to Expect:
- Tons of outreach with very few responses.
- Doubts about whether itās worth it.
Key to Success:Ā Ā Stick with it. This stage is hard, but itās where most people give up. If you push through, the next stage will get easier.
Stage 2: Small Wins
For the next 100 people, 10-15 might say yes. These small wins start to build momentum and give you confidence.
What to Expect:
- Slightly more traction as trust grows.
- Early customers referring others.
Key to Success:Ā Ā Keep refining your approach. Use the feedback to improve and keep showing up.
Stage 3: Traction
By now, youāve built credibility. Word-of-mouth starts working, and for every 100 people, 30-40 say yes.
What to Expect:
- Easier outreach with warm leads.
- Your reputation starts working for you.
Key to Success:Ā Ā Focus on nurturing relationships and leveraging success stories to keep building momentum.
Stage 4: The Tipping Point
People start coming to you. Out of 100 inquiries, 50-70 might convert. Youāve built trust, and now itās paying off.
What to Expect:
- Inbound leads from people who already trust you.
- High conversion rates with less effort.
Key to Success:Ā Ā Maintain momentum. Deliver consistent value and keep refining your systems to stay ahead.
Think of the mounds as anything: outreach emails, sales calls, YouTube videos, or free trials converting to paid plans. The same mental model applies to all of it.
You canāt control which mound contains the money, but you can control whether you keep digging. The key is to have realistic expectations, embrace the grind, and trust that your efforts will eventually pay off.
So, the next time you start something new, donāt stop after a few ānoās.ā You might be one action away from uncovering your breakthrough.
I've published a newer version of this post with more up-to-date information and insights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does having a lot of competition mean you are screwed?
In most cases, yes.
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