Author Bridget Dingell Gaspard coined the term "final eighth" to describe a phenomenon she experienced herself and observed in others: talented, energetic, and enthusiastic people make many steps toward a goal (seven-eighths) but then stop vaguely. Practical advice and pep talk don't work because the problem - and the solution - lies deeper. While their daily conscious self says, “I want this,” other inner selves worry that success will put them in some sort of danger.