Most People Quit Before the Shoes Break In

I'm a creature of habit.

When I find clothes I like, I usually buy them in multiples of two.

Same shirt. Same colour. Same pants. Same shoes.

My thinking has always been simple. By the time the first one wears out, they'll probably stop making it, so I might as well have a backup.

The only exception is when I'm trying to lose weight. Then I'll purposely buy one size smaller because nothing motivates you quite like paying for something you can't wear... yet.

Clothes have never really been the issue.

Unless I've just come back from vacation or had one of those weekends where "I'll start Monday" somehow turned into eating everything in sight.

But that second pair of shoes...

Those are different.

They sit in the closet looking brand new. Mocking me.

"Come on... it's time to break me in."

They look great sitting in the box. You remember how comfortable the first pair became. What you conveniently forget is how uncomfortable they were at the beginning.

Today Was the Day

I put on the new shoes, stepped out the front door, locked it behind me, and started walking.

I made it to the end of the driveway. So far, so good.

By the end of the street, I could already feel the difference. They were stiff. Every step reminded me they weren't broken in yet.

Community building feels exactly the same.

The idea looks exciting. You picture the conversations. The friendships. People helping each other. A tribe that actually wants to be there.

Then you make your first few posts.

Nothing. No comments. No engagement. No community.

Just like those new shoes, the excitement disappears the moment the work begins.

I Almost Turned Around

I kept walking. Nothing worthwhile comes without a little discomfort. You have to put in the work. You have to give it time.

About fifty metres from my house, I turned around.

I was honestly going to go home and put my old shoes back on. It would have been easier.

How many people do the same thing with their business? They start. It gets uncomfortable. They turn around before they've even reached the end of the street.

Then, out of nowhere, a quote popped into my head.

"Discipline is doing something you hate like you love it."

— Mike Tyson

At one time, he was one of the most physically disciplined athletes on the planet.

That was enough. I turned back around.

Mile One

I pushed through the discomfort.

The shoes still felt stiff. Just like your first month of creating content. You're posting. Learning. Wondering if anyone is even paying attention.

Then something happens.

Someone likes a post. Someone leaves a comment. A new member joins your community.

The shoes still aren't comfortable... but you're thinking about them a little less.

You keep walking.

Then social media changes the algorithm. Your reach drops. TikTok tells you that you've violated a community guideline. Your feet start to ache again. You wonder if this was worth it after all.

You're too far from home now. So you keep going.

You stop for a drink. Catch your breath. Rethink your route. Maybe you start posting on another platform. Maybe you change your strategy. But you don't quit.

You just keep walking.

Without Even Realizing It, You've Changed

More people begin finding you. Conversations become friendships. Members start helping each other instead of waiting for you to answer every question.

Without even realizing it, you've stopped thinking about the shoes.

They haven't changed. You have.

When I got home, I took off my new shoes and picked up the old pair. Then I threw them in the garbage. Not because they were worn out. Because I didn't need them anymore.

Somewhere during that walk, the uncomfortable shoes had become my comfortable shoes.

Building a community works the same way. The long hours become routine. Creating content becomes second nature. Helping people no longer feels like work.

One day you'll look back and wonder why you ever thought about quitting.

The issue isn't starting. Most people can start.

The issue is sticking with it long enough to see the results.

Most people don't fail because they aren't capable. They fail because they quit before the shoes ever break in.