Look Over the Wall (2 Min Read) | Vol. 223

PSA: Our final ONE Thing Goal Setting Retreat & Summit is November 13–14. It’s virtual, so anyone can join us for one last run at planning a great year. Save your spot here.

October 2, 2026

“A very wise person once told me, ‘When it comes to overcoming obstacles, there are three kinds of people. The first kind sees most obstacles as insurmountable and walks away. The second kind sees an obstacle and says, I can overcome it, and starts to dig under, climb over, or blast through it. The third type of person, before deciding to overcome the obstacle, tries to find a viewpoint where what is on the other side of the obstacle can be seen. Then, only if the reward is worth the effort, does he attempt to overcome the obstacle.’” – W. Timothy Gallwey

Look Over the Wall

Persistence is a virtue until it isn’t. I’ve made a career of slogging through a hard season. Sometimes you can win by not quitting. For the past few years, I’ve fought hard for Produktive, the company behind The ONE Thing. It’s been a tough stretch. 

I’ve been doing what I always do. Stubbornly refusing to quit. 

Recently, I asked a different question. Is this the battle I want to fight right now?

That question was like a ladder. I could climb up and look over the wall holding me back. On the other side, I saw a mission I still love – helping people live their ONE Thing. I could also see that the obstacle wasn’t the mission. The wall was the business model. Maybe there was a simpler way to do the work that matters.

So we’re simplifying. We’re stepping away from one-on-one coaching and corporate training. That’s why November’s Summit will be our last. The podcast, my small coaching practice, and this newsletter all stay.

Years ago, I wrote that giving up is a shade of surrender. Quitting is a form of agency. I’d add one thing now. You can’t make that call at the base of the wall. You have to climb high enough to see.

On this week’s podcast, I share some of the questions, like the one that helped me find my ladder. Questions that I hope can help you simplify your approach while staying committed to your mission. 

One question to ponder in your thinking time: What wall am I trying to knock down that isn’t worth what’s on the other side?

Make an Impact!
Jay Papasan
Author | CEO | Coach