When it comes to big, ambitious projects — writing a book, renovating a house, learning Rachmaninov’s Paganini variations, (insert your ambition here) — a common cause of failure is working too hard. 

These kinds of projects require consistent effort over the long haul — often for years — while overcoming unforeseen setbacks and obstacles. 

This means the key to success is figuring out a work-rate and routine that is easy enough to stick to every day without tiring you out, but significant enough that you can see progress over days, weeks and months. 

You want gentle, unflustered momentum that you can sustain indefinitely.

For example, I know that I can write from 7:30 am to noon, day in, day out, 365 days a year if necessary. I also know that if I reach a thousand good words in a day I should stop. Doing more creates a kind of intellectual hangover the next day that means I am less productive. 

In contrast, what often causes people to give up is binge working and sprinting. They go all out, get tired and then when the setbacks come they quit in exhausted frustration. 

It may sound counterintuitive then, but if you’re struggling to finish a big project, make consistent progress, or have given up entirely you were probably working too hard. 

Instead, make it your goal to identify a cadence and routine that is comfortable every day, then stick to it. You’ll be amazed what you can accomplish in ten years at a steady, sustainable pace.

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