The 10-Rep Rule: How to Build a Life That Doesn’t Quit

Erin Mark on bike

Here’s one of the most powerful things I’ve learned:

Trying once doesn’t count.

It’s just the warm-up.

When I was sick, I had to fight for every inch of strength. Every breath. I started doing 10 reps of everything, lung exercises, movement, mindset practices. Not because it was magic, but because it was measurable.

I didn’t always feel better on the first try. But I built power in the repeat.

That’s how the 10-Rep Rule was born.

It’s one of the mindsets I now teach leaders, teams, and everyday humans who want to become more resilient without waiting for a crisis. Here’s the basic idea:

  1. Try before you quit. One attempt is not the whole story.
  2. Train for rejection. Every “no” sharpens your approach.
  3. Track tiny wins. Momentum builds in inches.
  4. Remind your brain you’re built for this. Effort changes identity.
  5. Take the shot. Rejection stings less than regret.

This is how you build a life that doesn’t quit. Not with perfection, but with practice.

So what’s something you gave up on too early?

Try again, 10 reps at a time.