Two weeks without progression = deload 10% — you overshot…
When capacity building fails to meet progression criteria for two consecutive weeks, reduce target by 10% to deload—you have overshot sustainable progression rate and need to consolidate at a lower level.
When This Fires
- Two consecutive weeks where progression criteria (Increase capacity target by 10% per week only if quality…) weren't met
- During capacity building when you feel stuck at a plateau
- When increased targets produce declining quality or consistency
- Any training/capacity program where effort isn't producing improvement
Common Failure Mode
Pushing through the plateau: "I just need to try harder." Effort at an unsustainable level doesn't produce adaptation — it produces fatigue and aversion. The more you grind, the more the capacity building practice becomes associated with failure and frustration, which undermines motivation for future attempts. Deloading preserves the practice's positive associations by returning to a level where success is reliable.
The Protocol
When progression criteria fail for two consecutive weeks: (1) Reduce target by 10%. (2) Run the reduced target for one full week. (3) Verify: can you hit the reduced target on 4/5 days with quality maintained? (4) If yes → consolidate at this level for one additional week, then resume 10% weekly increments. (5) If no → reduce another 10% and repeat. Find the level where you can reliably succeed, then build from there.