Why Overachievers Are More Likely to Give Up

Dear Dreamers,

Have you ever thought you had everything perfectly aligned—only to watch it crash right in front of you?

Murphy’s Law, right? Everything that can go wrong will go wrong.

I despise this saying. It implies that perfectionism is the solution, that success comes from controlling every tiny detail. It pushes people to hyper-focus on things that don’t really matter and then blame themselves for missing something insignificant when things fall apart.

This is the burnt-out overachiever’s mindset. It’s why so many people quit.

You tell yourself the only reason the thing you poured your soul into didn’t work out is because you didn’t work hard enough.

So what do you do?

You double down. You push even harder. You tell yourself, This time, I’ll give everything I’ve got. If you gave it your soul before, now you throw in your body and mind too.

And then… it crashes. Again.

You suffer for your hard work, yet nothing changes.

You feel demoralized. Like you’re being punished for trying so hard. Eventually, you quit. And when you start the next thing? The same cycle repeats: hard work, no reward, burnout.

So, what’s the problem? Why does it feel like the harder you work, the less you get in return?

Why Hard Work Alone Isn’t Enough

Here’s the truth:

You’re so focused on putting in maximum effort that you’re ignoring where that effort is going.

If you’re pouring energy into the wrong areas, you’ll never succeed. It’s that simple.

Think about this:

• If you’re a basketball player struggling to shoot, obsessing over your diet won’t fix your jump shot. You need to get out on the court and practice shooting.

• If you’re a writer facing writer’s block, reorganizing your desk or buying fancy notebooks won’t finish your chapter. You need to sit down and write, even if it’s messy at first.

It seems obvious, right? But when you’re stuck in the overachiever mindset, it’s easy to lose sight of the one big thing you should focus on—the thing that actually moves the needle. Your failure to move the needle leaves you in despair and you give up.

Are You Guilty of This?

Here’s a quick exercise to find out:

1. List the Essentials: Write down everything your goal or project needs to succeed.

2. Prioritize: Rank them by importance. What’s the one thing that matters most?

3. Audit Your Efforts: Over the next week, track where you’re spending your time and energy. Are you working on that #1 priority, or are you distracted by less important tasks?

When you finally align your work ethic with the most important task, the results are incredible.

It’s like being a boxer with the hardest punch in the world—it doesn’t matter if you’re punching your opponent’s foot. But the moment that punch connects with the chin, it’s over.

When your effort lands on the right target, you win.

My Personal Experience

Let me share what I’ve learned from auditing myself.

I realized I was putting effort into everything but my most important task. I worked on videos, podcasts, tweets, newsletters—everything except creating the product my business needs to thrive.

How could I expect to build something sustainable without a product?

That’s why I’m shifting my focus. I’m introducing two products to make this dream sustainable while continuing to provide value to you:

1. Exclusive Newsletter Package

For just $7.50/month, you’ll get two additional newsletters every week. These will dive deeper into personal lessons, actionable strategies, and the mindset shifts that have helped me take risks and chase my dreams.

If you’ve enjoyed my free content and want more, this is for you.

This will be released starting next Monday, 12/23. DM if interested, or just wait for next Monday.

2. Coaching Calls

I’m also offering personalized coaching packages for $750/month. This includes:

• Four 45-minute calls with me each month.

• Custom assignments to help you take real steps toward your dream life.

If you’re ready to make serious progress, this is your chance to work with me directly.

You must first book your kickoff call below

Start Your Journey Today

Not sure where to start? Let’s talk.

I’m offering free 15-minute calls to help you identify the first steps toward your dream. No strings attached—just a chance to focus on what matters most.

Book your call now, and let’s get started.

Thank you for joining me today, Dreamers.

Go live your dream,

Jack Wagoner