How to Stop Starting Over: Break the Cycle and Build Momentum

Do you know someone who’s always starting something new? They’ve got a new business idea this month, a new routine next month, a new goal the month after that, but they never seem to follow through. There’s nothing wrong with being ambitious, but there is a fine line between being driven and being distracted. Today on The Champion Forum Podcast, we’re talking about the danger of constantly jumping from one thing to the next; why it’s harmful, what’s really behind it, and how to fix it.

Starting is easy. Finishing takes character.

We live in a culture that glamorizes beginnings: the announcement, the launch, the first step. But the real growth, the kind that changes your life or business, happens in the middle.

Why Some People Keep Starting Over

1. The Dopamine Hit

When we start something new, our brain releases dopamine, the neurotransmitter that makes us feel rewarded. But when novelty fades and things get routine, dopamine drops, and we start craving the next “new thing.” The problem is, some people aren’t chasing progress; they’re chasing stimulation.

2. Fear of Failure

For others, quitting early is a way to protect themselves. “If I stop now, I can say I chose to move on.” Psychologists call this self-handicapping: quitting before there’s a chance to fail.

3. The Illusion of Progress

Staying busy, launching new things, and chasing goals feels productive, but progress comes from consistency, not just activity. We mistake movement for momentum.

4. Comparison

Seeing someone else’s highlight reel online can make us feel left behind and restless. Many people switch directions not because they are off track but because they feel insecure.

5. Lack of Vision

When you don’t have a clear why, everything new looks appealing.

Clarity of purpose is the cure for distraction.

Q: Which of these reasons people start over resonates the most with you? How have you overcome one of these reasons in the past? What do you think keeps people stuck in these mindsets and bad habits?

Constantly Starting Over Costs You:

• Credibility: People stop believing your next big announcement.

• Growth: You never stay planted long enough to develop roots.

• Momentum: You waste energy constantly restarting. (Airplane)

• Mastery: You never reach excellence if you stop at average.

Q: Think about a time when you quit. What caused you to quit? What do you think you missed out on by quitting (if anything)? Would you do anything different today? Why or why not?

How do you become a finisher instead of a serial starter?

1. Commit to the Long Game.

When I started my business, Lee Colon told me, “No matter what it takes, you have to make it five years”! Keep moving and stay consistent because real growth takes time.

2. Define “Finished.”

Set clear, measurable goals. Know what “done” looks like before you begin. And here’s the rule: you don’t get to start the next thing until you’ve completed the last one.

3. Build Accountability.

Have someone who asks, “Did you finish what you started?” It is much easier to give up when you’re the only one who knows.

4. Revisit Your Why.

Purpose outlasts excitement. When you stay connected to your reason, you won’t get distracted by every new opportunity.

5. Learn to Love the Boring.

Success is built in repetition. If you only show up when it’s exciting, you’ll never reach excellence.

Application Activities:

1. Identify one area of your life or work where you’ve been tempted to move on too soon and recommit to finishing it. What is the goal? Why does it matter to you? If you do not have a clear why, take some time to examine what success would look like to you and why you would value it. Then use the SMART goals format to ensure you have a clear path to your goal.

2. What negative thoughts make you feel insecure or like your goals are impossible? Write them down, and then write down some of the sources of those thoughts. Finally, brainstorm some habits or boundaries you can establish to try to rewire the connections you have between your goals and your self-worth in your mind. Think about things like deleting or limiting time on social media, calling a friend at least once a week, or staying away from toxic people.