Have you ever felt that you gave up on something: startup business, job, relationship, friendship, or even a son or daughter, just before you, or they, hit their pivotal point?

I have. I started a catering business while working full-time as a financial analyst; delivering to customers long before DoorDash, Cavair, or UberEats came to being. It grew and I hired more help. Weekends were always busy with one wedding or other events. I still wonder how I coped during those years. Must have been supernatural grace. 🙃

Though I am not a quitter, after ten (10+) years, I gave it up.

I look back and wonder if I quit too soon. If I didn’t, just maybe, I could have hit the jackpot; aka my breakthrough.

Did I Quit Too Soon? Did You? Have You?

Well, it’s a common human experience—many people quit just before they achieve success, missing the rewards of their hard work by a fraction. Why does this happen, and what can be done to overcome this pattern?

6 Reasons Why People Give Up at the Edge of Breakthrough

1. Mental Fatigue
   After long periods of striving, the mind can become fatigued. This mental exhaustion leads to discouragement, a lack of motivation, and, ultimately, giving up. When someone feels they’ve tried everything and sees little to no results, it’s easy to conclude that their efforts won’t pay off. This is often when they are closest to success, but they don’t realize it.
2. Fear of Success
   Success comes with its own set of responsibilities and expectations. Some people fear that with success comes the pressure to maintain it, which can be overwhelming. This subconscious fear of change, responsibility, or even the attention that comes with success can cause someone to retreat, choosing the comfort of the known over the uncertainty of success.
3. Lack of Immediate Results
   We live in an instant gratification culture, where people expect quick results. However, most breakthroughs—whether in business, personal goals, or relationships—require consistent effort over time. When people don’t see the fruits of their labor quickly, they may lose hope and assume that success is unattainable.
4. External Pressure and Discouragement
   Friends, family, or societal expectations can add pressure to achieve success within a certain timeframe. These voices may unintentionally (or intentionally) sow seeds of doubt. “Why are you still trying?” or “Maybe this isn’t meant for you,” are common discouraging remarks that can lead someone to quit when they are on the verge of a breakthrough.
5. Self-Doubt and Impostor Syndrome
   Self-doubt is a powerful force. As individuals approach a breakthrough, the stakes feel higher, and their inner critic may become louder. They may start to question whether they are deserving of success or whether they have the skills and knowledge to handle the next level. Impostor syndrome—where individuals feel like frauds despite their competence—can make them believe that failure is imminent.
6. Increased Challenges
   Often, the hardest part of any journey comes right before the breakthrough. The challenges seem to multiply, and obstacles feel more insurmountable. This is where many lose hope, thinking that the increase in difficulty means they’re not on the right path. In reality, these final challenges often signify the last push toward success.

How to Push Through and Reach Your Breakthrough

1. Visualize Success and Focus on the Bigger Picture
   Keeping the end goal in sight is crucial. Visualize what success will look and feel like. How will your life change once you’ve achieved your goal? What impact will this success have on others? By focusing on the bigger picture, you’ll find the strength to push through the immediate challenges. Visualization helps combat discouragement, providing the emotional fuel needed to keep going.
2. Break It Down into Smaller Steps
   When success feels far away, it’s easier to give up. By breaking your goal down into smaller, achievable milestones, you’ll give yourself a sense of accomplishment along the way. These smaller wins boost morale and keep you focused on progress, not perfection.
3. Practice Mental Resilience
   Develop mental resilience by adopting a growth mindset, where challenges are viewed as opportunities for growth, not as roadblocks. Techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and positive affirmations can help build the mental toughness needed to keep going when it feels like you’ve hit a wall. Training your mind to stay focused and positive in the face of adversity is key to pushing through to a breakthrough.
4. Surround Yourself with Positive Support
   The people you surround yourself with will either uplift or bring you down. Seek out mentors, friends, or a support group that understands your journey and can provide encouragement. When others believe in you, it’s easier to believe in yourself, especially when self-doubt arises. Having accountability partners or supportive voices helps counteract external discouragement.
5. Rest, Don’t Quit
   Burnout is a major reason people give up. Recognize that taking breaks to rest is not the same as quitting. Stepping away from your goal temporarily can provide the clarity and rejuvenation you need to return with renewed energy. Rest helps you regain perspective and avoid making decisions out of fatigue.
6. Prepare for Obstacles and Embrace Challenges
   Understand that increased challenges near the breakthrough are normal. Rather than being surprised by obstacles, expect them. This mindset shift helps you embrace them as signs that you are close to your goal. Use these obstacles as motivation, knowing that they are testing your commitment and perseverance. The more difficult the road becomes, the closer you are to success.
7. Replace Self-Doubt with Self-Belief
   Instead of letting self-doubt control you, make a conscious effort to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your previous accomplishments, skills, and the hard work you’ve already invested. Trust in your capabilities and remind yourself that even if you don’t feel ready, you can grow into the person needed to handle success.
8. Take Calculated Risks
   Sometimes, just before a breakthrough, a bold move is required. Don’t be afraid to take a calculated risk, even if it feels uncomfortable. This can mean investing more time, resources, or energy when you’re feeling uncertain. Taking risks at critical moments often leads to breakthroughs that would have been missed by playing it safe.

Conclusion

Giving up right at the edge of a breakthrough is a common phenomenon driven by mental fatigue, fear of success, external pressure, self-doubt, and increased challenges. However, with the right mindset, support system, and strategies in place, anyone can overcome these obstacles and push through to success. By practicing resilience, staying focused on the bigger picture, and surrounding yourself with positivity, you can ensure that you don’t stop just short of your breakthrough.

How about you – do you have something or someone you gave up on and now wish you didn’t? Or are you currently contemplating giving up on something or someone?

Don’t quit—your breakthrough might be just around the corner.