The Mindset Shift to Stop Starting Over

hey—

Have you ever tried to microwave something, stopped it halfway through, then restarted it from the beginning? Like you forgot it was already halfway done?

Probably not.

But that’s what most people do with their goals.

They start. They stop. And then they start again.

But here’s the thing: You don’t need to reset the clock. You just need to keep going.

Starting isn’t the hard part. We do start. Again and again.

New week. New journal. New system. New promise to ourselves.

But somehow we keep landing in the same place.

It’s not the starting that drains you—it’s the feeling that every stumble sends you back to zero.

Like, the progress you made doesn’t count. Like you have to be perfect to move forward. Like missing one day means the streak is broken—so what’s the point?

But maybe the point is just… continuing.

Not perfectly. Not impressively. Just honestly.

There’s this mindset shift that’s been sitting with me: “Not zero.”

Not “all in.” Not “back on track.” Just… not zero.

Like—

You promised yourself you’d lose those ten pounds. Said you’d work out every day. But today? You’re fried. Body’s stiff. Motivation’s gone. And the idea of pushing through feels impossible.

But then you remember: It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just can’t be nothing.

So you throw on some shoes. Go outside. Walk the long way to the grocery store.

You didn’t crush a workout. But you didn’t go to zero either.

Or…

You’re building something. A brand. A product. A business. And you’ve got this deadline circled on your calendar like it means everything. But it’s been a long week. Your brain’s mush. You open the laptop and stare.

So instead of forcing it, you sketch out one rough idea. Send one email. And brain-dump one paragraph you’ll fix later… not zero.

That’s what this is about.

Not a heroic effort. Not emptying the tank every day. Just proof.

Proof you’re still in it.

Proof that you don’t fold when it gets inconvenient.

Proof that you keep showing up—no matter what.

You don’t need another reset.

You just need to remember that what you did yesterday still matters.

You didn’t lose it.

You’re not back at zero.

You’re still in it.

…

— Johnathan (Founder of Striive)