Don't Restart From Zero Every Time You Struggle

When things get hard, there's a seductive voice that says: "I should start over with a fresh approach." A new course, a new book, a new framework. It feels like progress, but it's actually retreat disguised as strategy. Restarting erases the very progress you've made, including the understanding that only comes from struggling with difficult material.

Usually, you're closer to a breakthrough than you think. The hard part isn't a sign that you chose the wrong path — it's a sign that you've reached the part where real learning begins. Push through instead of running. Adjust your approach if needed, get help, slow down — but don't throw away everything you've built just because the current stretch is uncomfortable.