The Circle of Misery: Why Most New Digital Creators Stay Stuck (and How to Break Out for Good)
If you’ve ever started a side hustle with big dreams, only to lose steam and feel guilty weeks later, you’re not alone. In fact, you might be trapped in what I call “The Circle of Misery.”
It’s a frustrating loop that kills more online business dreams than any algorithm, any market change, or any “bad idea.”
But here’s the good news: once you understand it, you can break free.
What Is the Circle of Misery?
The Circle of Misery is a 4-stage pattern that repeats over and over for beginners in the digital product world:
Stage 1: Get Excited & Do Research
You discover a new opportunity. You binge videos, read blogs, buy courses. You feel unstoppable.
Stage 2: Take Action Daily
For a short time, you actually do the work — maybe you start designing a product or setting up your shop.
Stage 3: Quit
Life gets busy. Results don’t come as fast as you hoped. The excitement fades.
Stage 4: Mope Around and Feel Sorry for Yourself
You look back at the time you “wasted” and promise yourself you’ll do better next time.
Then… something new catches your eye, and the cycle begins again.
Why This Cycle Is So Dangerous
It doesn’t just waste time. It erodes your confidence.
Every time you quit, you train your brain to believe “I’m not someone who follows through.”
And when that belief sets in? Even the best tools, mentors, or ideas can’t save you.
The Hidden Traps That Keep You Stuck
Here’s why the Circle of Misery is so hard to escape:
- Too much research creates information overload.
- Action without a plan leads to burnout.
- Unrealistic expectations make small wins feel like failures.
- No accountability means no one notices when you stop.
Sound familiar?
Breaking the Circle — The New Way Forward
To break free, you don’t need more hustle. You need clarity, structure, and a path so simple you can’t ignore it.
That’s exactly why I created The First Sale System — it’s designed to take you from “I don’t know where to start” to your first sale online without the overwhelm.
Instead of juggling 15 tools, you’ll follow a proven step-by-step method that focuses on:
- Picking a digital product you can launch in days, not months.
- Finding people ready to buy without paying for ads.
- Building confidence with small, fast wins.
3 Steps You Can Take Today to Escape the Circle
Even if you’re not ready to buy anything, these will help you:
1. Set a 7-Day Mini Goal
Instead of a vague “start a business,” aim for “create a single product mockup” or “post in one Facebook group daily.”
2. Track Progress, Not Perfection
Write down what you did each day. Small actions compound.
3. Build Public Accountability
Tell a friend, post on social media, or join a small community. The pressure works in your favor.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve been spinning in the Circle of Misery, it’s not because you’re lazy or incapable.
It’s because you didn’t have a clear, winnable path from day one.
You can keep hoping the next idea will magically work… or you can follow a process that’s designed to get you your first win — fast.
Your first sale isn’t months away. It could be one simple, focused week away.
When you’re ready, here’s the exact system I recommend.
