Issue 33: The Work That Challenges You Most Is the Work That Changes You

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ISSUE 33

5 MARCH 2025 | READ ONLINE​

Hi Reader,

There comes a point in every big project, every career move, and every meaningful pursuit where quitting feels easier than continuing.

It’s not at the beginning, when motivation is high and possibilities feel endless.

It’s not at the end, when the finish line is in sight.

It’s right in the middle. When the excitement has worn off, the real work sets in, and doubt starts creeping in.

I know this feeling well.

I’ve shared with you that I’ve been writing a book for the past few months. But the process can be painful. Rewriting entire sections that no longer fit, staring at a blank screen when inspiration runs dry, and pushing through the moments when every fiber of your being wants to walk away.

I almost gave up. But page by page, word by word, I kept going. Now, my book is nearly done. It’s been sent to my publisher (hooray!).

The truth is, anything worth doing will challenge you. Whether advancing in your career, building a leadership presence, or taking on a personal goal, there will be moments where it feels impossible.

But, progress isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment or feeling motivated every day. It’s about showing up, again and again, even when it’s hard.

3 Ways to Push Through When You Want to Quit

1. Redefine Progress​
Not every step forward will feel significant, and that’s okay. Some days, progress is measurable. Other days, it’s simply getting through the resistance without giving up. Recognize that small steps compound over time.

2. Lower the Stakes​
Perfectionism convinces us that our work needs to be flawless before it’s worth sharing, launching, or completing. That mindset keeps people stuck. The best way to make progress is to stop overthinking and just do the work. Imperfectly but consistently.

3. Trust the Process​
The people who achieve the biggest goals aren’t the most talented or the most inspired. They’re the ones who persist when most others stop. Keep refining, keep learning, and most importantly, keep showing up.

This Week’s Insights

Here’s what I’ve been writing about on LinkedIn this past week:

💡 “You’re Not Stuck, You’re Waiting”: I shared 5 actions to take when you feel stuck. Teaser: There’s a little nudge if you need it. Read it here.

💡 “I Have a Confession”: Things might look nice and neat on the outside, but honestly, who really has things figured out? In this post, I encourage you to experiment and try things out, even if you don’t think it will work.

💡 “The World of Work is Shifting Fast”: I appeared on the Occupational Safety Leadership Podcast last week. We talked about lots of topics, including what to do when things change unexpectedly and strategies for getting a new role.

🎙️ 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼: Click here.
📺𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗧𝘂𝗯𝗲: Click here.

What’s Next?

Persistence isn’t about waiting for the right moment. It’s about taking action in the moment you have.

• Pick one thing you’ve been putting off because it’s hard.
• Set a small but clear next step – what’s the next action you can take?
• Do it this week, even if it’s imperfect.

Big results don’t come from waiting. They come from moving forward, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Here’s to persistence, not perfection.

Megan

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