Start-Stop Cycle: How to Stay on Track When Your Brain Wants to Quit

I was organizing files on my computer when I found something I had completely forgotten about.

A half-written e-course.

At the time, I was so excited about that e-course. I had a clear vision, mapped everything out, and was ready to breathe life into it.

And then… I didn’t.

I can’t pinpoint exactly what happened. Maybe another project needed my attention. Maybe I got distracted by something new. Maybe the initial excitement just wore off, and instead of pushing through, I set it aside for “later.”

Except later never came.

Seeing that unfinished project brought up some old thoughts. Why didn’t I follow through? Why start something only to stop?

Prior to beginning my love affair with neuroscience, I believed that with more discipline, I wouldn’t get stuck in this pattern of “later.” That if I tried harder, I could stay consistent, because this wasn’t the first project to get shoved into the back of my metaphoric sock drawer.

I’ve since learned something important. This isn’t a discipline problem. It’s not a motivation problem either.

It’s a brain thing.

Your brain is wired to crave novelty. It loves fresh starts. That’s why new ideas feel so exciting at first. They give you a hit of dopamine and make you feel unstoppable. But that initial motivation isn’t built to last.

When the novelty fades and the real work begins, your brain starts looking for ways to conserve energy. It convinces you to put things off, to shift your focus to something easier that feels like a priority or abandon the idea altogether.

That’s how we get stuck in the start-stop cycle.

And if you’ve experienced it too, I want you to know that this isn’t a personal failure. It’s just how the brain operates. The key is learning how to work with your brain instead of fighting against it.

In this episode of the Unstoppable Mindset Masterclass Series, I’m breaking down exactly what’s happening in the brain when motivation fades and how to shift out of the start-stop cycle.

If you’ve ever started something with full energy, only to watch it stall out, I encourage you to watch this 11-minute session here:

Because consistency isn’t about forcing yourself to try harder. It’s about understanding what makes progress feel easier, so you don’t have to rely on motivation alone.

Be sure to comment below and share your thoughts and what you’re currently experimenting with. I’d love to hear.