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Apr 10 • Share anything 🚀
These 6 “Aversion Factors” Can Quietly Kill Your Progress (even when you care about the goal)
I was listening to Modern Wisdom (E1077 with Chris Bailey) and it highlighted something can be easy to overlook:
We spend a lot of time trying to build motivation…
Yet not enough time looking at what we’re avoiding.
👉 Aversion is often the real problem.
Because even when a goal matters to you — something about it can still feel… off. 😞
Chris breaks this into 6 common “aversion factors” and my goodness they resonated with me!
- Boring
- Frustrating
- Unpleasant
- Too far in the future
- Unstructured
- Meaningless (not aligned with your values)
The good news?
These aren’t personality flaws — they’re adjustable levers.
Let’s make this practical!
1. Boring 😴
If something feels repetitive or dull, you won’t stick with it — simple as that.
This shows up with:
- Eating the same meals on repeat
- Doing workouts you don’t enjoy
- Routines that feel like a chore
👉 Fix: Make the experience better.
Try this:
- Add variety (new meals, new workouts)
- Pair it with something enjoyable (music, podcast, fresh environment)
- Add a social element (walk with a friend, group class)
You don’t need more discipline — you need less boredom.
2. Frustrating 😫
This is a big one with exercise (and honestly, anything new).
It can feel like:
- “I don’t know what I’m doing”
- “I’m so far behind”
- “This is harder than I expected”
So even if you want the result…
Your brain associates it with discomfort and avoids it.
👉 Fix: Lower the barrier.
Try this:
- Start easier than you think you should
- Follow a simple plan (remove decision fatigue)
- Focus on consistency, not performance
- Drop comparison — your starting point is valid
The goal isn’t to crush every session.
It’s to make it easy enough to come back tomorrow.
3. Unpleasant 😬
This one is subtle.
It’s not always “hard”… it just doesn’t feel good.
Examples:
- Meals that aren’t satisfying
- Workouts you dread
- A routine that feels restrictive
👉 Fix: Improve the experience.
Try this:
- Choose foods and movement you actually enjoy
- Add comfort (flavour, environment, pace)
- Focus on abundance, not restriction
- Personalise it — make it fit your life
You don’t stick to things you hate.
You stick to things that feel good enough to repeat.
4. Too Far in the Future ⏳
If the reward feels distant, motivation drops.
Your brain prefers: “Feel good now” over “benefit later”
👉 Fix: Bring the reward closer.
Try this:
- Set short-term targets (weekly, not “someday”)
- Track actions (did I show up?)
- Celebrate consistency
- Use visible progress (habit trackers, streaks)
Progress is easier when it feels immediate.
5. Unstructured 📅
This is a big one.
If something is vague: “I’ll work out sometime” “I’ll eat better this week”
Your brain has to keep deciding… and that creates friction every time.
👉 Fix: Add structure.
Try this:
- Decide when (specific days + times)
- Decide what (simple plan)
- Decide how long
- Create defaults (go-to meals, go-to workouts)
Less thinking = more doing.
6. Meaningless 🧭
If a goal doesn’t actually matter to you… Consistency won’t last.
This often looks like:
- Doing something because you “should”
- Following a plan that doesn’t fit your life
- Chasing a goal that isn’t truly yours
👉 Fix: Reconnect to meaning.
Try this:
- Why does this actually matter to you?
- What does it give you beyond the outcome? (energy, confidence, freedom)
- Who are you becoming by following through?
When something feels meaningful — it stops feeling forced.
The Big Shift:
These aren’t reasons you’re “failing.”
They’re points of friction you can reduce.
Instead of asking: “Why can’t I stick to this?”
🔥 Ask: “What about this feels off — and how can I improve it?”
I'd love to know...
Which is showing up most right now?
- Boring
- Frustrating / unpleasant
- Too far in the future
- Unstructured
- Meaningless
And, what’s one small tweak you could make today?
With my clients (and myself!) I've been noticing, the biggest wins often come from fixing:
“too far in the future” + “unstructured”
It's real low-hanging fruit! 🥝🍓🫐🍏🍉🍌
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These 6 “Aversion Factors” Can Quietly Kill Your Progress (even when you care about the goal)
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