Copyright © 2025 BEO Strength & Fitness | Powered By 
I have a confession—and I’m kind of embarrassed about it. I’m semi-addicted to a dumb little phone game. It’s one of those “match the shapes to clear the board” deals. You know the kind: you click 3 matching objects, they disappear, and boom—you’re one step closer to clearing the board.
As the levels go on, it gets harder. More junk on the board. Fewer “helps” (the lightning bolt ones are my favorite—obliterate everything in sight? Yes, please). But when I beat a hard level? Oof. The satisfaction. I feel accomplished. Ready to take on the next one. It's ridiculous... and kind of revealing.
So now I set a timer so I don’t lose an hour to blob-matching. But it’s also made me think about how wired we are for this stuff. Accomplishments make us happy. We like challenges, and we love winning. We feel good when we follow through.
And no, it's not just a phone game thing. Psychologists call it the “progress principle.” Research shows that we get a big ol’ dopamine hit when we make progress toward a goal—even a small one. According to Harvard researchers Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer, making progress in meaningful work is the most powerful motivator we have. The key is that we did something. We moved forward. We leveled up.
That’s part of the reason we do hard things at BEO.
It’s not just about lifting weights or finishing workouts—it’s about giving ourselves reasons to be proud. We set goals. We show up. We push through hard reps, tough days, and busy seasons of life. We finish the damn workout even when we didn’t feel like starting. That’s accomplishment.
We do quarterly goal reviews so we can see our progress and raise the bar. We chase new PRs, new habits, and better health markers. And every time we push through something difficult we earn that same hit of “I did it.”
Pushing through difficulty, finishing strong, and doing what you said you would do—it feels good. It builds confidence. And when we’re actively working toward a goal—whether it’s physical, financial, or personal—we feel more motivated, focused, and yes... happier. We like having a purpose. We like knowing we’re making progress.
If you're a member: Ready to set your next challenge? Book a goal review to reflect on your progress and plan what’s next.
Not a member yet? You don’t have to do hard things alone. Come train with us. Reach out and let’s talk about your goals—and how we can help you crush them.