6 MONTHS AGO • 3 MIN READ

Life Unfiltered: I’m Failing but Here’s What I’m Doing About It

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Life Unfiltered

Hi, I'm Lawrence Tijjani, founder of Just a Guy CIC, a social enterprise dedicated to helping young people reach their full potential through mentoring and workshops. I started Just a Guy CIC after suffering a severe epileptic attack 10 years ago, which left me needing to relearn how to walk. Now, I battle chronic pain daily while running two businesses and raising my amazing son.

Read Time: 3 minutes

Happy Sunday 👋🏾,

I’m failing!

Six weeks ago, I said I would get back into shape.
Focused. Locked in. Training 4 to 6 times a week. Eating well. You know all of that good stuff.

Let me tell you now: it did not go to plan.

Why? Well, business got busy. I was travelling a lot for work, had a few health setbacks… life just got hectic.

But I can’t put it all down to that. I’ve got to take some accountability; I put in the work in the gym, but, truthfully, I became the Minister of Enjoyment, especially regarding food!

I was chopping nonstop, not managing my portions, and snacking daily. No cake or chocolate was safe when I felt stressed. Let’s just say I was eating like a hungry thief.

It turns out that what they say is true:

You can’t out-train a bad diet.

I’m sharing this because the title of this newsletter is Life Unfiltered.
I’m not just here to talk about the wins but also to tell you when I’ve had setbacks, whether in business, health, or anything else. Most of us experience these moments; we just don’t like to admit it or show it. But that’s exactly what Life Unfiltered is here for.

I also want to normalise failing because it’s part of the process of pushing for more, going to new places you haven’t been before. And when you’re moving into new territory, failing is almost guaranteed.

Just to be clear, I’m not talking about FAILURE.
FAILURE
is when you give up, decide not to get back up, and accept that as the end.

So, what am I doing about my failings? I’ve had to step back and look at my goal and ask:
Is it realistic?
Is there a smarter way to get there?

Yes, there is.

This time, I’m not chasing 100% perfection. I’m adapting to what I call 80% discipline, which, done consistently, equals 100% progress.

Stick with me here, it sounds strange, but let me explain what that means.

What Does 80% Discipline, 100% of the Time Mean?

When I say 80% discipline, I’m talking about committing to the things that matter most and doing them well most of the time, not all of the time.

It's recognising that life is unpredictable. There will be illness, stressful days, and unexpected curveballs. Instead of aiming for perfection (which usually leads to frustration or burnout), you strive for solid, reliable consistency.

The key is this:
That 80% becomes your baseline, something you can maintain over weeks and months, not just in short bursts.

By consistently showing up with 80% effort, you build something far stronger than chasing 100% perfection in an unsustainable way.

It’s about staying committed but also flexible.
Focused but forgiving.
Disciplined but human.

And here’s the energy I’m keeping front of mind:

Just because one day doesn’t go well, that doesn’t mean you throw the whole week in the bin.
It’s like spilling a bit of milk while making coffee.
You wouldn’t tip out the whole carton on the kitchen counter; you wipe it up and carry on. Same thing here.

In My Fitness Journey, This Looks Like:

80% Discipline:

  • Training 3–6 times per week
  • Eating mostly whole foods
  • Watching portions (without obsessing over measurements)
  • Prioritising sleep (my biggest challenge!)
  • Getting in 10,000 steps
  • Staying hydrated
  • Resting when needed

20% Life Happening:

  • Missed workouts
  • Dinners out with friends and family
  • Holidays and trips (without guilt)
  • Extra enjoyment meals
  • Lazy days
  • Stressful moments when food becomes a comfort

Because at the end of the day, your goals—and your life—should add to your happiness, not take away from it.

But this isn’t just about fitness.

This 80/20 approach can work in so many parts of life.

In business, focus on key tasks and staying consistent while giving yourself space to breathe.
In personal growth, showing up regularly, but taking time to reset.

In family life, being present but not expecting perfection.

In the video I posted on Instagram (link here), I said:

“You only fail when you give up.”

That’s the mindset I’m holding onto, not just in health, but in every part of life.

There’s a lot of pressure to be all-in, all the time. But no one can stay switched on 24/7.

My big focus this year (and I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before) is progress over perfection, and I need to keep that front of mind in everything I do.

Quote of the Week

You only fail when you give up.

Have a great week!

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Life Unfiltered

Hi, I'm Lawrence Tijjani, founder of Just a Guy CIC, a social enterprise dedicated to helping young people reach their full potential through mentoring and workshops. I started Just a Guy CIC after suffering a severe epileptic attack 10 years ago, which left me needing to relearn how to walk. Now, I battle chronic pain daily while running two businesses and raising my amazing son.