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"Listen to the Voice of Reason" – Bullshit, It's Lying to You

You're 80% done with something important.

Maybe it's a fitness goal. A book. A business launch. A relationship repair. A certification. Doesn't matter what—just that you're close.

Then a voice appears.

It sounds calm. Logical. Reasonable.

It says: "You've done enough. This is good enough. Maybe it's time to ease up. This is very good for where you are."

It sounds like the voice of reason.

It's lying.

Why It Sounds So Convincing

The voice of reason is dangerous because it sounds:

Logical: "This might be too aggressive at this stage"

Caring: "You need to protect yourself—you've pushed hard enough"

Optimising: "Let's shift strategies and try something different"

Affirming: "You've proven you can do this—you don't need to prove it anymore"

Every argument sounds reasonable. That's the whole point.

But translate any of these phrases and you get the same message: "Stop before you finish."

The Pattern (And Why Your ADHD Brain Needs to See It)

If you've got ADHD, you've lived this pattern dozens of times. You just didn't know what you were looking at:

Early stage: New project energy, dopamine flowing, voice silent

Middle stage: Momentum building, results showing up, voice quiet

Late stage: Close to completion, work gets harder, voice appears with "suggestions"

Quit stage: "Let's be reasonable about this..." = permission to pivot

For ADHD brains that struggle with finishing what we start, this voice is lethal. It gives us permission to do what we've always done—find a "good reason" to move on before completion. To find the next Shinny Object.

"You've done enough" becomes the escape hatch we've been looking for. Again.

When the Voice Shows Up in Your Life

Listen for it. You'll hear it everywhere:

In your fitness journey: "You've lost enough weight—you look good for your age"

In your business: "Protect what you’ve got – don’t risk it."

In your content creation: "You've posted for 60 days—take a break now"

In your relationships: "This is fine for where you both are"

In your projects: "You've written 8 chapters—just publish what you have"

In your learning: "You understand the concept—you don't need to finish the course"

Different contexts. Same voice. Same timing. Same result if you listen.

The Female Version (Because the Voice Speaks Differently to Women)

If you're a woman reading this, your voice may sound different, but it arrives at the same time—4 to 6 weeks from your goal.

The sabotage voice knows your specific getting healthy vulnerabilities

Men hear: "You look weak and skinny" / "You need more food for strength" / "This is good enough for your age"

Women hear: "You're too thin" / "You'll lose your curves" / "This might affect your hormones" / "Men don't like women who are too fit"

Different tactics. Same psychological warfare. Same timing—right when you're close enough to finish.

The Framework That Overrides the Voice

When the "voice of reason" appears, use this four-step framework:

RECOGNIZE: It only appears when as you get closer to completion

TRANSLATE: Every "reasonable" suggestion means "quit early"

RESPOND: "I set a goal. I'm finishing. No half done."

EXECUTE: Keep the protocol, ignore the voice

This isn't about being reckless or ignoring actual problems. This is about recognizing psychological warfare disguised as wisdom.

Two Actions You Can Take Right Now

Action 1: Map Your 80% Abandonment Pattern

Think about the last three goals you abandoned. Where were you in the process when you stopped? Write down:

• What percentage complete you were

• What the "voice of reason" said to convince you to stop

• What you told yourself to make stopping feel okay

You'll see the pattern. It's almost always 70-85% complete. The voice always sounds "reasonable."

Action 2: Define "Done" Before the Voice Arrives

Whatever you're working on right now—write down the EXACT definition of "done." Not "good enough." Not "close enough." Done.

Be specific:

• "Done = 12 weeks completed, not 10"

• "Done = book published, not 8 chapters drafted"

• "Done = certification earned, not course 80% finished"

When the voice appears in a few weeks suggesting you've done enough, you'll have a clear finish line to hold yourself accountable to.

The Bottom Line

The voice of reason sounds trustworthy. That's why it's so dangerous.

It will cost you months of work in exchange for "being reasonable." It will give your ADHD brain permission to do what it's always done—start strong, finish weak.

Don't listen to it.

Finish what you started.

The voice of reason is bullshit—and now you know.

Focus no what matters…Jim

Where is the "voice of reason" trying to stop you right now? Hit reply and tell me—I read every response, and I can help you recognize when it's actually the sabotage voice in disguise.

Download your complimentary PDF of the first two chapters.

Readers Review

“I just finished reading, I love your balance of giving the science and then being authentic. It feels easier to understand that way. I appreciate the example under limited working memory and LOVE the action steps at the end.”. - Alexxa

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This site is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content in this newsletter is designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment. Please seek professional help if you believe you may have Mental Health Issues.

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