A three-step process to figure out why you’re not seeing results.

We expect results.

It’s frustrating when we don’t and giving up is tempting.

Sometimes, giving up is the best option.

But before you do, think carefully.

If you quit and regret that decision, you must start again.

Starting again is like starting, except you have the added weight of regret from quitting in the first place.

So before quitting, step back, clear your head, and ask yourself the following three questions.

The 3-Step Process

1. You’re being impatient

The first question you should ask is: have I allowed myself enough time to see results?

We expect a lot in a short time.

Then as we get started, we realise it’s going to take longer than we expected, and that’s when most people give up and go back to pursuing instant gratification.

Take fat loss for example.

Someone might start off expecting to lose 20 kilos in 3 months.

It gets to the end of the first month and they’ve barely lost two.

Even though that's good progress, they’re disappointed they’re not on track.

They don’t get the dopamine spike from the accomplishments that they had expected.

So what starts to look good now?

The doughnut that’s sitting in the cupboard.

Every decision you make has an opportunity cost.

You can get either X or Y and not both.

In this case, one is instant gratification and the other is long-term success.

You started with the courage to pursue long-term success.

You had unrealistic expectations but deep down you knew it wouldn’t be easy.

So if time is the issue, and you know you’re being impatient, don’t give up just yet.

Waiting will be worth it.

2. You’re not working hard enough

Let’s say you’ve been patient and that’s not the issue.

The second question to ask yourself is: am I putting in enough effort?

We think we can put little in and get a lot out.

We’re wired to conserve energy, so that’s completely normal, but believing so won’t help you achieve your goals.

Sometimes though, we feel like we’re putting a lot in, but in reality, we’re not.

Let’s carry on with the fitness example.

You’re going to the gym 4 times per week and you’re there for 2 hours.

But you spend more time there chatting away or scrolling on your phone rather than training.

Or the sets you do are half-arsed, you go through the motions and training with minimal intensity.

You have to be honest with yourself.

Are you giving it your all or is there more you can do?

Putting in that little bit of effort that you might not be willing to do could make all the difference.

So before you quit, try harder.

3. You’re self-destructive

You’ve been trying, and for a while at that, but you’re still not seeing results.

The question to ask yourself then is: am I holding myself back?

Sometimes we think we’re doing everything right, but we’re not.

In this case, the problem isn’t in what we’re not doing, it’s in what we’re doing but not supposed to be doing.

In the fat loss example, this is obvious.

So you’re there training intensely four times per week and each session lasts 2 hours, yet you’re still not losing weight.

That’s because you’re doing everything right in the gym, but outside of the gym, it’s a different story.

You’re eating processed foods that are high in calories, causing you to eat more calories than you’re supposed to.

When you set a goal, there is no 50/50.

You have to be all in.

You can’t dip your toes in the water, you have to jump.

Divided focus is divided results.

Reevaluation

You’ve been trying, you’re not self-destructive, and you’ve allowed enough time.

So why aren’t you seeing results?

In that case, maybe it’s your approach.

Maybe the plan you’re following is ill-designed or not suited to you.

If this goal is something you seriously value, don’t give up, but pivot.

Back to the fat loss example.

Maybe you’re not losing weight because your calories aren’t low enough.

Or maybe you’ve hit a plateau and the best course of action is to spend some time at maintenance calories to bring your metabolism back up before you continue with your weight loss journey.

You can head in the same direction, and even get to the same destination, by following a different path.

Remember, there’s more than one path to the top of a mountain.

You’ve come this far, so why throw all your efforts away?

All it might take is a moment to stop and reassess before proceeding on a path that works better for you.

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Why You're Not Seeing Results