WHY WE LOSE MOMENTUM RIGHT AFTER OUR ROCKET LAUNCHES

There’s a strange thing that happens when you start moving toward your purpose. You feel the fire, the clarity, the pull—and then, just as quickly, something inside starts to resist. You procrastinate. You overthink. You shrink. Not because you don’t care, but because something beneath the surface is quietly keeping you stuck in place.

In today’s culture, it’s easy to talk a lot about mindset—but we don’t speak enough about the mental structures we unconsciously build. These are the beliefs, stories, and habits designed to protect us, yet they end up becoming invisible walls between where we are and where we want to be.

Maybe it’s the belief that you’re not ready. Or that someone else is already doing it better. Or that you need to wait until things are “perfect.” Maybe it’s a fear of being seen. Or failing. Or succeeding.

Whatever form it takes, these structures are often built early—shaped by past experiences, social conditioning, or even old wins and losses that taught us to play it safe. They whisper things like “stay small,” “you’re not good enough,” or “not yet,” even when everything in you knows it’s time.

The wild part? These mental blocks can feel logical. Sensible, even. That’s why they’re so hard to notice. They wear the mask of productivity (“I’m just planning more”), perfectionism (“It’s not ready yet”), or humility (“Who am I to do this?”). But deep down, it’s not strategy—it’s self-protection.

So how do we move through the mental blocks that quietly hold us back? First, get brutally honest about the story you’re telling yourself. When you feel stuck, pause and ask: What story am I believing right now, and whose voice am I hearing? Write it out—because you can’t rewrite a script you haven’t named. Then, challenge the internal “rules” you’ve been living by. We all carry beliefs about success, failure, and worthiness that were handed to us by others—family, culture, or past experiences.

"Ask yourself: Are these rules even mine? Are they true? Are they helping me or holding me hostage?"

Next, take the pressure off the big leap by making small steps forwards. Clarity and confidence don’t come from thinking—they come from doing, even if it’s just a small shift in momentum.

"When resistance shows up (because it will), trade judgment for curiosity. Don’t ask “What’s wrong with me?”—ask “What is this trying to protect me from?”

Often, just naming the fear softens its grip. Finally, reconnect to your “why.” When the work feels heavy or overwhelming, zoom out and remember what pulled you toward this vision in the first place. Purpose has a way of cutting through the noise and reminding you that fear may speak loudly—but it doesn’t have the final say.

We all build walls. The key is learning how to notice them, name them, and then—brick by brick—dismantle them with grace. Because your mission, your gifts, and your vision for what’s possible on the other side are worth moving through the fear. And always remember: you don’t have to be perfect; you just have to keep going.

Your friend,
Danny