I recently had a conversation with a client of mine who mentioned a trendy new personal growth challenge: Project 50. It’s one of those goal-setting frameworks where you commit to a set of daily habits for 50 days in a row to build discipline and improve your lifestyle.

She told me that she was managing to complete only five of the seven habits each day – despite her best efforts after long, demanding work hours. Instead of feeling proud of the five things she did accomplish, she felt like she was falling short. Her motivation was starting to slip.

I told her something that might seem obvious, but for many of us, it isn’t:

“You can change the rules of the challenge to suit you.”

Now, before you misread that – this doesn’t mean lowering your standards or doing a half-hearted job. What I’m encouraging is a mindset shift: You can still aim high while being strategic and kind to yourself in the process.

Why We Burn Out Before We See Results

These kinds of challenges can be transformational. When done with intention, they help us rewire our thinking, build discipline, and align our days with the person we want to become. They’re also incredibly motivating when you see people share their progress online – hitting their goals, day after day.

But here’s the truth we don’t often hear:

Going from 0 to 100 overnight isn’t realistic for everyone.

Trying to overhaul your entire lifestyle all at once – especially when you’re juggling a full-time job, full-time studying or other responsibilities – can lead to frustration, inconsistency, and burnout. And in most cases, when someone “fails” to tick every box on the checklist, they give up altogether.

It’s not because they don’t want to change. It’s because the approach wasn’t sustainable. Performance doesn’t improve by chasing perfection. It improves through progress.

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

This doesn’t mean taking the easy way out. And it’s certainly not about giving up on high standards. But if you’re constantly falling short, it might be time to reframe the goal:

What’s going to help you sustain your growth over the long run?

Start smaller. Choose two or three habits you know you can consistently hit – even on a busy day. When those become second nature, you can layer on more.

This creates a positive feedback loop: You feel successful, so you stay motivated. You stay consistent, so your performance improves. And because it’s manageable, you actually enjoy the process instead of dreading it.

Align With What Works for You

Performance doesn’t come from doing what everyone else is doing. It comes from doing what works for you. If you’re drowning in tasks after work, pushing through a challenge that doesn’t align with your lifestyle or values isn’t noble – it’s counterproductive.

This is different from not “feeling like” going to the gym. I’m talking about alignment here. If a boxing class energizes you more than yoga, choose the habit that lights you up. If journaling feels like a chore but walking outdoors clears your head, that’s your sign. The key is engagement: habits you enjoy are habits you’ll repeat.

Perform Better by Personalizing the Path

Challenges like Project 50 can still be powerful – but only if you’re working with yourself, not against yourself. You can honour the spirit of a challenge while shaping it to suit your schedule, energy levels, and interests. That’s how performance becomes sustainable.

Don’t let a rigid checklist convince you that your efforts aren’t valid. Revisit your habits. Rebuild your structure. Refocus on what’s actually helping you grow. You’ll go further – and feel better doing it.