Hey, Reader!

It’s January 23, and if you’re still here reading this, give yourself a quiet high-five.

Quitter’s Day (that infamous second Friday in January when most folks quietly drop their New Year’s resolutions) came and went about two weeks ago. Some powered through, some restarted, and a whole lot are in what I call the "messy middle"—where the initial excitement has worn off, real life has piled back on, and everything feels harder than it looked on January 1.

I get it. I’ve lived in that middle more times than I can count.

Remember when I started my run streak? Over 3,000 days now, but day one was just lacing up and stepping out—no fanfare, no guarantees. The first few weeks were hard (body protesting, mind making excuses). Then came the messy middle: rainy days, tired legs, schedule chaos. Some mornings I barely wanted to get out of bed. But I kept showing up, one day at a time.

Same with my 4-minute morning squats (from the Built to Move book) and my 15-minute meditation. I overthought meditation forever—perfect posture, no thoughts, the whole deal. Finally, I said, “Enough.” Lay on the bed, timer on, breathe. Messy? Absolutely. But it stuck.

Robin Sharma puts it perfectly: “All change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end.”

That messy middle is where most people quit. It’s not glamorous. It’s inconsistent progress, setbacks, doubt. But it’s also where growth happens—if you stay.

Here’s the truth: God doesn’t call us to perfect starts or flawless execution. He calls us to faithfulness in the small things. Luke 16:10 reminds us, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” He knows our frame (Psalm 103:14), and His grace is bigger than our stumbles. The messy middle is not failure—it’s the forge.

So if you’re in it right now—maybe your gym streak broke, your planning habit slipped, or you’re wondering why this goal feels heavier than expected—here’s what I want you to hear:

• You’re not broken; you’re human.
• Progress isn’t linear. It’s one step forward, two back, then suddenly a breakthrough.
• The gorgeous end comes only if you keep walking through the mess.

What to Do in the Messy Middle:

1. Extend yourself grace. Missed a day? Okay. Get back tomorrow. No self-beating—just gentle return.
2. Shrink it back to one simple thing. Not 97 habits. One: plan tomorrow tonight, 10-minute walk, one focused breath when stress hits. Build momentum from there.
3. Reflect weekly. Look back: “What worked? What didn’t? Thank You, Lord, for the progress—even the small stuff.”
4. Remember the why. Why this goal? Reconnect to purpose, not just performance.

I’m not saying it’s easy. I’m saying it’s worth it. My streaks didn’t happen because I’m superhuman—they happened because I refused to quit in the middle. And when you push through, that’s when the gorgeous shows up: better health, clearer mind, deeper peace, and the quiet confidence that comes from knowing you stayed faithful.

Quick Questions for You:

• Where are you right now: hard beginning, messy middle, or seeing the gorgeous?
• What’s one small, grace-filled step you can take today to keep moving?
• How might Jesus be meeting you in this mess, reminding you His strength is made perfect in weakness?

You’ve made it this far. Don’t stop now. The end is gorgeous—and it’s closer than it feels.

I’m right here walking with you, one faithful step at a time.

Mark
Mister Productivity
Host of The Mister Productivity Podcast (listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts).

P.S. If you’re ready for productivity that sticks—rooted in faith and fueled by action—my 90-day coaching spots are open. Let’s talk. Reply with I'M READY!