Why progress feels slow & how to fix it?

Contrary to popular belief, overnight success does exist.

But it happens after hundreds or even thousands of hours of hard work.

Here’s what people often miss:

• Simone Biles burst onto the world stage, but she spent over a decade perfecting her craft behind the scenes.

• Ed Sheeran became an instant star, yet it took years of playing tiny gigs and couch-surfing before anyone knew his name.

• Jack Dorsey built Twitter into a social media giant, but only after years of experimentations and iterations before finding the right formula.

The point?

If you feel like you’re not making enough progress or not moving in the right direction, pay close attention to the ideas I’m sharing today.

At the end of this issue, I’m including a Notion template that’s helped dozens of people strategize their next quarter with clarity and focus.

I want you to win this year.

Let’s make the last 3 months the best ones yet.

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Before we begin: Here’s what you might have missed last week…

Big idea #1: Why aren’t you making any progress?

Reflect on this question on your own before I put ideas in your head.

But here’s what I often see with my clients when we dig deeper than the surface-level labels of “perfectionist” or “procrastinator”…

The top 3 reasons you are not making progress:

1. You are busy with the wrong things.

• The truth? You are distracted.

• You say: “I don’t have enough time!”

• Figure out → What tasks actually move the needle towards your vision?

2. You don’t have the energy.

• The truth? You are disengaged.

• You say: “I’m so tired!”

• Figure out → What truly fires you up?

3. You feel incapable.

• The truth? You are discouraged.

• You say: “The goal feels so far out of reach…”

• Figure out → What’s the smallest step you can take every day?

These three reasons are where most people get stuck.

In other words, lack of progress usually stems from misalignment between your tasks, routines, goals, and dreams.

• Your dreams are ignored.

• Your routines are leading you in the wrong direction.

• Your goals are either non-existent or not motivating enough.

• Your tasks are leaving you distracted, disengaged, and discouraged.

That’s why today, I’ll introduce my Life Architecture Framework — a system that helps align your vision, goals, and daily actions.

Let’s start designing a life worth staying present in.

Big idea #2: Why aren’t you sticking to your habits?

Progress happens when you consistently do the right things to see results.

I’m sure you agree that it’s the small daily actions that add up to big accomplishments over time:

But if we’re doing the wrong actions or not staying consistent, progress will be out of reach.

That’s why it’s crucial to align these four elements:

• Desires → What do you want most in life?

  (Your core values and priorities at this stage)

• Routines → What habits would someone who’s already achieved that desire follow? What routines will streamline your progress?

• Goals → What key goals will drive you toward those desires?

• Tasks → What immediate actions will help you achieve those goals?

What’s the difference between Desires and Goals?

• Desires are long-lasting. Once you manifest them, you continue working to maintain or amplify them.

• Goals, on the other hand, are achieved and then replaced with new ones.

What’s the difference between Routines and Tasks?

• Routines are ongoing habits with no end date.

• While tasks have clear deadlines.

I’ll share a Notion template with you to reflect and align in these 4 areas shortly, but before I do, there’s one more practical tip I must share with you…

Big idea #3: Optimize your goals for consistency

Once you identified the right daily habits, how do you stay consistent?

After all, that’s what’s required to achieve big results.

The key is to redefine what consistency means.

Sure, in an ideal world, I’d work out for an hour every day to boost my energy.

But let’s be honest, that’s not always realistic.

Does it mean I’ve failed if I only manage three 30-minute workouts and a few speed walks during the week?

Absolutely not. That’s still great progress!

But here’s where we go wrong:

We aim for the perfect scenario (like that one-hour workout), and when life gets in the way, we end up doing nothing at all.

Here’s a simple fix → Break your daily goals into three levels.

• A-level goal: Your best-case scenario.

• B-level goal: The solid second-best option.

• C-level goal: Your non-negotiable minimum.

For example:

• A-level goal: 1-hour strength training at the gym.

• B-level goal: 30-minute home workout.

• C-level goal: 20-minute speed walk.

By having these levels, you’ll always make progress — even on busy days.

And the best part?

You'll stay motivated because you’re consistently showing up, whether it’s the perfect workout or just a quick walk.

The Productivist Challenge: Complete the 90-day momentum challenge

Some of you joined me back in June for a workshop on mid-year alignment and the 90-day momentum challenge, and it was such a powerful experience!

Since I wasn’t able to host one this quarter, I want to make sure you don’t miss out!

Here’s the link to the “Q4 Alignment” template so you can complete the challenge on your own.

The Productivist Question:

What daily routines will best streamline your progress toward your biggest desires at this stage in life?

Remember, champions are made in the 4th quarter.

Wish you an excellent week ahead,

Valeriya

PS: What’s the mot important milestone you are planning to hit this Q4? Let me know by hitting reply or DMing me on LinkedIn!

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