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Have you ever considered that the moment you’re on the verge of giving up is also the closest to your path forward? The book Hurdles shares a few of those moments. Hence, it is an invitation to the messy yet deeply human journey of pushing through.

They also illustrate the psychology of motivation through lived experience. How do we keep going when every part of us says stop? At its core, the book taps into the psychology behind lasting motivation. It is a deep dive into how belief, purpose, and inner strength can become an internal engine when external encouragement fails.

It offers a lot of solid explanations as to why some people bounce back stronger from setbacks (and while others stay stuck). The difference often lies in how well they understand the psychology of motivation.

One thing is clear: perseverance isn’t just a trait. It’s a decision that is made over and over again.

Hurdles Aren’t the Problem—Stopping at Them Is

There are a lot of good metaphors in the book.

For example, life isn’t a 100-meter dash. It’s a hurdle race. Everyone starts somewhere and aims for a finish line.

That finish line could be a diploma, a healthy relationship, or even just freedom from anxiety. But unlike an ordinary, straightforward sprint, life throws up obstacles.

Still, it’s not the appearance of these hurdles that defines us. It’s what we do when we close in.

This is where the psychology of motivation comes into play. Perseverance is not about bypassing them without a sweat. It’s about getting back up after the fall.

It is about rethinking our approaches when we’re not even able to charge our way through. You have to understand motivation to boost perseverance.

For instance, imagine being one of the kids that counselors deemed hopeless to the point that they’d have no chance at college.

More often than not, those kids believed it. Those beliefs then became their hurdles. But then, what about those few, brave souls who still dared to try?

What about those who accumulated small wins and built up the courage to prove otherwise?

The answer isn’t that complicated. These are all regular examples of how psychology influences goal setting. An early belief can limit behavior. But once that belief is challenged, day by day, the trajectory eventually changes. That is all the proof you need of how motivation fuels your persistence.

It also often shows up after we take the first few steps, not before.

Ladders Out of the Pit: The Psychology of Motivation in Depression and Loss

The book also doesn’t shy away from very heavy topics. It discusses depression, addiction as well as the loss of a family member.

Helplessness is often the overhanging cloud in these situations. However, they don’t have to be just tragedies of the human mind. They can be raw case studies of the psychology of motivation under pressure.

Consider the book’s “the pit and ladder” analogy. Depression can be like standing at the bottom of a deep pit. The top seems impossible to reach. But instead of staring at the top, readers are pointed towards the first rung of the ladder.

It may just be the first, but it’s the first grasp of hope.

These represent mental triggers for increased motivation. When we’re at our lowest, what we often need isn’t a master plan. We need something small, reachable—a first rung.

For some, it can just be a quick talk with a friend. For others, it can be prayer or journaling. What matters is that there is a psychological shift from helplessness to action.

It’s also a good illustration for understanding motivation and behavior patterns. Addicts, for instance, often know what needs to be done. The only problem, from their perspective, is that the hurdle appears too high. That is why nobody should be forced to overcome deep struggles alone. Motivation isn’t always self-generated. That is why it is important to still get the support of a loved one or find a model in someone who’s walked the same path.

Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing: Aligning Purpose with Effort

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There is a chapter in the book titled “Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing.”

It’s a cool-sounding phrase, but actually describes another mental model for enduring motivation.

What is your “main thing”? Is it family? Faith? Are you pursuing the unimaginable?

Whatever it is, staying rooted in your chosen purpose helps sustain effort even when results hit a snag.

This also connects directly with the psychology of motivation. There are plenty of studies that confirm that purpose-driven individuals (or even entire corporations) are more likely to stay the course.

They’re less likely to quit when faced with setbacks because their actions are rooted in meaning. Short-term rewards can only take them so far. Purpose can be what motivates the challenging habits (whether it’s rising early for exercise or communicating difficult decisions).

This also touches on the science behind motivation and success. Neuroscience shows that dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical, spikes not only when we achieve something. It also triggers when we anticipate progress.

When our goals are connected to deeper personal values, even small wins can generate lasting motivation. It is how people pursue a doctorate, not merely for the title. It is what will drive them to prove to everyone (including themselves) that they are capable. Such a sense of purpose can drive far more than mere praise.

You Don’t Need to Be a Thoroughbred—Just Emulate One

Another one of the book’s insightful metaphors is the difference between the plow horse and the thoroughbred.

The plow horse hangs its head low and merely trudges through life. In contrast, a thoroughbred walks tall, proud, and ready.

What is interesting, though, is that it doesn’t demand that readers completely embody the thoroughbred. Instead, it can be enough to just emulate the posture of one (especially during those times when you’re ‘just not feeling it’).

It’s a reminder that motivation is not a lightning strike. It’s a pattern of thinking and acting that becomes stronger with practice. Whether you’re going through the motions with addiction, heartbreak, or anxiety, the psychology of motivation can be a key tool to recovery.

It is the first step to thinking differently and knowing how to act when you start feeling stuck.

Want some more insights on motivation and its roots? Grab your copy of Hurdles today! It’s available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.