You sat with the win. Now what?
Are you a maximiser or a satisficer? Why some people never push for more.
You’ve sat with your success. Now what?
You did the thing. You let yourself be proud. You took time to actually sit with the win instead of mindlessly chasing the next milestone just to feel busy. We covered and pushed for this in last week’s newsletter:
But now you’re here, and there’s a new question: what comes next?
Not every next step has to be bigger, harder, or more extreme. But if you’re restless – if you feel like you want to move forward but aren’t sure how – it’s time to figure that out.
The difference between real progression and chasing your tail
Some people set goal after goal, never taking a moment to reflect on whether they’re actually progressing or just running in circles. Others hit one milestone and stay exactly where they are – not because they’re satisfied, but because they’re scared to start over.
Pushing forward doesn’t have to mean more – sometimes it just means better.
You lost 10kg – do you want to maintain, build muscle, get stronger?
You ran your first marathon – do you want to improve your time, try trail running, build speed?
You hit a big PB in the gym – do you want to refine your technique, add volume, or focus on another skill?
If the answer is yes, then great – there’s a next step waiting for you. But if you’re hesitating, ask yourself: am I content, or am I just avoiding the discomfort of pushing further?
Why some people never push for more
There’s a difference between maintenance and stagnation.
Some people stay in the same place not because they love where they are, but because they’re afraid of failing at the next level. They convince themselves that they’re “happy enough” or “don’t need more” when really, they don’t want to risk struggling again.
The beginner’s high is gone. Progress isn’t linear anymore. And the thought of stepping into something new – something they might not be good at right away – is terrifying.
But the best results, the biggest transformations, and the most growth happen after the first win. It’s easy to push when you’re new and making fast progress. It’s harder when you have to actively choose discomfort again.
Maximisers, satisficers, and the stories we tell ourselves
Some people are what psychologists call satisficers – they choose something good enough and move on. Others are maximisers – always seeking the best possible outcome.
Both approaches can be adaptive. Satisficers might genuinely feel content with their current achievements. Maximisers might push themselves to greater heights, regardless of whether they reach them or not – because the push itself is part of who they are.
In the gym, for example, when it comes to squat, bench, deadlift and standing barbell press I’m one hundred percent a satisficer. I’ve set solid standards that – as a non-competitive weightlifter – I just don’t have any want or need to improve upon. For me, the risk of injury chasing those numbers outweighs the buzz I might get from working for months and months on incremental personal records.
When it comes to work, however, I’m one hundred percent a maximiser: I want to write, speak, look and be every part the coach because I genuinely enjoy becoming better at communicating ideas where people are to receive them. It doesn’t matter to me whether I’m the biggest podcaster or influencer or the biggest or most shredded PT or or or – what matters is that I’m the most me I can be and I’ll invest in all of the ideas, technologies and tools I need to achieve that regardless of the outcome.
But both approaches can become maladaptive.
Satisficers can use contentment as a shield – telling themselves they’re “happy with their lot” not because it’s true, but because they’ve been burned or spurned when striving before.
Maximisers can become paralysed by options, or forever disappointed by what they didn’t achieve instead of what they did. They can miss the point of progress altogether.
Understanding which tendency you lean towards – and how it’s showing up in your goals – can help you decide whether your current position is genuinely satisfying, or just safe.
How to decide your next move
Are you actually happy where you are? If so, maintain it – no guilt.
Do you feel restless, like something is missing? That’s a sign you’re ready to move.
What excites you? It doesn’t have to be “more.” It just has to be something.
Sitting with the win was important. But now it’s time to be honest with yourself – are you staying here because you want to, or because you’re scared to leave? The only way to find out is to move.
And that’s it from me!
Much love, and I’ll see yas in the next one
Jack x