Stop Starting Over: Use Structure to Make Habits Last
If you’re tired of starting back at day one, this episode will show you how to rebuild habits that last — with structure, not willpower.
You don’t need more motivation.
You need a better system.
This is one of the most downloaded episodes I’ve ever released — and for good reason.
Because when life gets hard, we fall into old routines.
We wait for motivation to magically reappear.
And we keep starting over — again and again.
In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact structure I use (and teach my clients) to create habits that actually stick. No fluff. No trendy hacks. Just real, brain-based strategies that work.
You’ll learn:
How habits form in your brain — and why they’re so hard to break
What the habit loop actually is (cue → routine → reward)
How to identify your weak spots and reinforce them
Why reframing your goals makes all the difference
Simple ways to change your environment to support your new life
And if you want more on the motivation piece — go listen to the last episode:
“How to Take Action When You Don’t Feel Motivated.” That link is in the show notes, too.
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode
💬 Sober Society MembershipYour private community for accountability, structure, and serious transformation.👉 addictionunlimited.com/membership
📣 Join the Free Facebook GroupConnect with other high-functioning sober humans on the same path.👉 facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited
📅 Book a Free Clarity CallReady to get serious? Let’s talk about your goals and map out your next steps.👉 addictionunlimited.com/call
🎧 Episode 396 – How to Take Action When You Don’t Feel MotivatedIf you want more support with motivation, don’t miss this one.👉 addictionunlimited.com/396
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24:26
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24:26
How to Take Action When You Don’t Feel Motivated
How To Take Action When You Don't Feel Motivated: 3 Structure Hacks That Actually Work
Waiting to feel motivated before taking action? That's the myth keeping you stuck.
I used to think successful people had endless motivation — some secret energy source I didn't have access to. I'd wait to feel ready before starting anything: the workout, the journaling, the business tasks.
But here's what I learned the hard way: motivation doesn't create action. Action creates motivation.
The truth? Motivation is just a mood. Movement is a decision. And if you want to build consistent habits and reach your goals, you need to stop using your feelings as your strategy.
In this episode, I'm sharing why waiting for motivation keeps you stuck, the psychology behind emotional reasoning vs. executive function, and the three proven structure hacks I use to take action even when I don't feel like it.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why motivation is a terrible strategy for consistent action and productivity
How to stop emotional reasoning from sabotaging your goals
The 90-Second Rule for overcoming resistance and building momentum
How to create daily non-negotiables that anchor your routine
Visual trigger techniques to make good habits easier to maintain
Why discipline creates freedom (not restriction)
How to separate feelings from actions and take control of your decisions
Key takeaway: Structure gives your future self a fighting chance. When you stop waiting to feel ready and start moving anyway, everything changes.
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode:
✅ Get my Daily Plan (Free Download)Your one-page structure to stay grounded and consistent — even when your mind is spinning.👉 addictionunlimited.com/plan
🧠 Book a Free Coaching Call with AngelaIf you're ready to stop trying to figure it out alone, let’s talk.👉 addictionunlimited.com/call
🛏️ Cozy EarthAngela’s favorite sheets and blanket for calming your nervous system and elevating your 5–9.👉 https://cozyearth.com/ + discount code ANGELA
🎧 Unlimited Life Starter Series3 Surprising Ways You're Still Sabotaging Your Sobriety 👉 addictionunlimited.com/395
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21:35
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21:35
3 Surprising Ways You’re Still Sabotaging Your Sobriety
If you’ve quit drinking but still find yourself frustrated, low-energy, or stuck in “what’s next?” limbo… this episode is exactly what you need.
Because... you don’t need another lecture on willpower.You need to understand the real ways you're still sabotaging yourself — even if you're doing everything “right.”
In this powerful episode from the Addiction Unlimited archives, I'll break down 3 sneaky patterns that silently kill your momentum in sobriety.
These are the mindset traps and emotional blind spots that no one talks about — and they’re probably the reason you still feel like something’s missing.
Whether it’s unrealistic expectations, lack of direction, or mistaking emotional overwhelm for alcohol cravings — this episode pulls back the curtain and helps you take your power back.
This is the kick-off of the Unlimited Life™ Series — bonus episodes released every Friday through the end of the year — where we bring back the most-loved episodes that laid the foundation for this movement.
They’re not just throwbacks.They’re tools to help you build structure, confidence, and personal power in life after alcohol.
🎯 If you’re ready to stop coasting through sobriety and start building something real — this one’s for you.
🔗 Links & Resources from this Episode
📄 Grab the Free Daily PlanStart building structure and focus into your sober life today.👉 addictionunlimited.com/plan
💬 Join the Conversation in Sober Society (Free FB Group)Surround yourself with high-level sober support — connection, clarity, and real talk.👉 Facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited
🎯 Book a Free Coaching CallIf you're ready to stop surviving sobriety and start leading your life — let's talk.👉 addictionunlimited.com/call
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28:33
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28:33
Why Am I an Alcoholic? The Bio-Psycho-Social Truth About Addiction
Ever found yourself wondering, “Why me?”
Why can’t I drink like other people?
Did I inherit this?
If I’d made different choices, would it have turned out differently?
If these questions have kept you up at night, you’re not alone — and this episode is your answer.
Inside, I’m breaking down the real, full-picture WHY behind alcohol addiction — not in vague theories or shame-based clichés, but with a powerful, science-backed model that makes everything finally make sense: the Bio-Psycho-Social Model of Addiction.
We’re going deeper than “you drink too much.”
We’re unpacking what drove you to seek relief in the first place — and how you can finally start to untangle the layers keeping you stuck.
If you’ve ever felt confused, exhausted, or like sobriety still isn’t working the way you hoped — this episode is your wake-up call.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The truth about addiction: why it’s not just genetics, trauma, or stress — it’s the collision of all three.
What most people get completely wrong when trying to stop drinking
Why “just quitting” isn’t enough — and what to do instead
The exact factors that make some people more vulnerable (and how to take your power back anyway)
The one thing I tell every client about where to start when recovery feels overwhelming
🎧 Ready to finally understand your drinking — and start rebuilding from clarity, not confusion?
Press play now and discover how to reclaim your power with truth, structure, and ownership.
Links Mentioned in This Episode:
📘 The Recovery Starter Kit: A self-paced online course to help you build the foundation of a strong, sustainable recovery lifestyle. Tools for cravings, triggers, boundaries, emotional regulation, and more. → Get instant access here
📄 The Daily Plan: The #1 free resource to help you stay focused, clear, and on track every day — because structure is freedom. → Download it here
🤝 Work with Angela: If you’ve tried everything, you’re exhausted, and you’re ready to get serious — you can always book a call to see if we’re a fit to work together. → Book Your Call here
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33:07
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33:07
When Quitting Drinking Isn’t Enough Anymore
What No One Tells You About Life After Sobriety — Until You’re In It
Whether it’s been 10 days or 10 years — if you’ve found yourself stuck in a cycle of blah, you are not alone.
You’re not counting days.You’re not struggling to stay sober.But something’s still missing — and you can’t quite put your finger on it.
If you've ever thought:
“I thought I’d be happier by now…”
“What’s wrong with me — shouldn't I be better by now?”
“Why do I feel so bored, stuck, or disconnected?”
This episode is going to help you breathe a big sigh of relief. Because there’s nothing wrong with you.You’ve just outgrown the survival chapter of your recovery — and now it’s time to build something deeper.
This isn’t another episode about early sobriety tips or why alcohol is bad.This is about what comes after — the emotional flatness, the boredom, the floating — and how to get out of it.
🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why that “off” feeling isn’t a setback — it’s an invitation to rebuild
The truth about boredom in recovery (and why it’s not what you think it is)
Why ownership starts the minute the pink cloud ends
How to shift from just being sober… to living with structure, direction, and personal power
💬 If you’re ready to stop circling and start rebuilding…
Book a free call with Angela to talk about what’s next for your recovery journey:👉 addictionunlimited.com/call
This is where The Unlimited Life™ begins.
🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode:
Book a Free Coaching Call with Angela👉 https://addictionunlimited.com/call
Download the Free Daily Plan to Stay Sober👉 https://addictionunlimited.com/plan
Join the Facebook Community👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/addictionunlimited
Are you ready to ditch daily drinking, reclaim your confidence, and create a life of freedom? Each week, Angela combines no-nonsense advice, personal stories, and science-backed strategies to tackle the challenges of sobriety. Angela Pugh is a globally-ranked Life Coach and podcast host, a professional Interventionist, and entrepreneur with more than 18 years of personal sobriety, helping people rebuild their lives since 2008. From navigating relationships to managing triggers, you’ll discover practical tools, empowering insights, and real-world solutions to thrive in sobriety. It’s time to stop feeling stuck and start feeling unlimited. Listen now for the inspiration, tools, and support you need to live a sober, confident, and happy life.
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