Why is quitting so easy? And I don’t mean quitting a bad habit, like smoking. That’s hard. I mean simply just quitting almost any task we begin in earnest before we’ve actually finished it.
AI confirms that across many fields the majority of people may start projects but then simply abandon them halfway through.
“For example,” says AI, “less than 30% of players finish the video games they start, and only a fraction of students finish online courses.”
So, what is it about being half way there that is so soul destroying? Why might we start off so strong, but then, no matter the endeavor, find that just as we approach the middle we are depleted of all ambition to reach the finish line? When will this end? We ask ourselves. That’s what I did in high school. I did not really pay attention to academics until just before senior year when I could actually see light at the end of the tunnel. It was only then that I believed I could be successful and tried much harder. A little late, I know. Which is clearly why I did not attend Harvard, or Oxford.
The same series of emotions presented themselves under unexpected circumstances during a recent trip abroad. I was in a fantastic place. But, on around day 5 or 6, (halfway through my trip) I started thinking about home. I felt fatigued living out of a suitcase. I couldn’t find the mental energy to struggle through one more challenging conversation in a foreign tongue, decrypt another indecipherable menu, head out for yet one more restaurant meal or experience any new tourist sites despite the beauty they promised to deliver.
I became a bit surprised but hugely relieved to find that my reaction was not all that uncommon, according to an article by Andrew Frawley on the MEDIUM website.
“A mid-trip crisis arises because the fundamental design of travel does not support a sense of belonging or a sense of purpose, which studies have shown are the two most impactful factors when measuring a meaningful life.”
Sounds reasonable. But I soon thought something bigger must be at play. And there was. AI suggested that my “ mid-trip” malaise – emphasis on the “mid”- had its roots in solid psychological fact.
“We lose enthusiasm midway through a task because of the “Middle Problem,” where the starting excitement fades and the reward feels too far away.”
Like getting back home from vacation, finishing a race, maintaining a diet or even painting the house.
“However,” said AI, “as we approach the end, the Goal-Gradient Effect (proposed by behaviorist Clark Hull in 1932) kicks in. This psychological phenomenon drives us to increase our effort because the finish line and reward feel imminent and attainable.“
Like the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. We enthusiastically start to race toward it. Which is exactly what happened by the end of day 6 of my trip. I rallied and rebooted my sense of adventure. I recognized that there were only 4 more days left (the light at the end of the tunnel) to enjoy this time away and I felt exhilarated not to waste it as the end of the adventure was clearly in sight.
“This is a fairly intuitive (but often unrecognized) idea” writes the popular news letter, FarnumStreet:
“Far-away rewards are much less motivating than near term ones.”
Message received. And business is paying attention.
“Companies like Nucor take the idea seriously,” claims the website.
“They pay bonuses to lower-level employees based on monthly production, not letting it wait until the end of the year.“
Keeping goals close seems to be the idea here. For instance, it is less daunting to plan to read one book a month than attempting 52 in a year. Or attempting to lose 5 pounds rather than 50.
But what about marathoners who hit the wall mid race? Surely they can’t break up their run into smaller parts.
“About 43-53% of marathoners report “hitting the wall” during their race,” writes Jeff Gaudette of runnersconnect.” But it’s a lie the brain is telling you, he says. Just not the truth.
“Research from Professor Samuele Marcora at Kent University reveals something most runners don’t realize: when you stop or slow during a race, you still have energy left in your muscles. The decision to give up has nothing to do with your muscles or cardiovascular system…In fact, studies show that “perception” of effort, not physiological failure, is the primary limiter in endurance performance.”
So don’t slow down midway through the race. You can do it. Say it. Positive self talk may spell the difference between a winner and an also ran.
While staying positive and breaking up the task into smaller portions are two ways to beat the mid task slump, tracking your progress is another. One small win yields another. Celebrating each win can’t help but keep you motivated as well. But understand that motivation is just the starting point of success, according to high achievers like Olympian, Jim Ryun.
“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”
For me, just knowing that goal gradient effect phenomenon actually exists and is not the result of personal failings has been comforting and inspiring indeed. Our psychological energy may flag mid way through any task but if we just hang in there we will get a glimmer of the light at the end of the tunnel and the inspiration to get there.
Burning Daylight 