How To Do The Hard Sh!t

Hey growth fiend,

Today, instead of looking at the mechanics of your business, we look at you as a leader.

Or more specifically, how can we trick you into doing the hard shit.

Insert a posing picture of me doing the hard sh!t :)

I'm a huge fan of Andrew Huberman. Watching one of his episodes, something resonated that I began to delve into - losing an evening in one of those rabbit holes.

It was looking at why some people do the hard shit while others complain simply about the most basic of tasks.?

Powerful forms of motivation reside within the depths of our brain, far surpassing the allure of monetary gain, accolades, or fame.?

This profound motivation drives us to embrace and tackle challenges we usually avoid.?

Ask yourself this {first_name}, how many times have you looked at the shit you need to do, yet convince yourself to do anything but what you set out to do?

You are not alone. The trouble is, all these gurus convince you that there is something wrong with you unless you own every single minute of your day with an 18X return on emotional investment.

I'll save that rant for another episode.?

There are, however, tricks to, well, trick yourself into doing the things that you know you need to do. But put off endlessly (or at least until there is no more availability to avoid said task).

Professionals have learned to harness this motivational force, known as flow states, enabling them to perform at their peak consistently.

Picture this…

You wake up with the resolve to seize the day, only to succumb to the comfort of your bed, your initial zeal dissipating rapidly. The day looms ahead, feeling more like an adversary than an opportunity. At your workspace, your tasks await, yet a part of you resists engagement. As time slips by, distractions fill the void left by unattended responsibilities, and the day concludes with a sense of unfulfilled potential.

This scenario is not a mark of laziness or an anomaly.?

I'd be lying if I told you I had never faced this myself.?

The real issue is not a lack of motivation but the absence of a particular type of motivation.?

The key lies in tapping into a more profound, more sustainable source of motivation, transitioning from external to internal drivers.

And believe me when I tell you that it will take some practice to get it right - stop looking for the overnight fix as, with most things, there isn't one.

At least I'm being real with you.

Motivation can be fueled externally, through rewards such as money, recognition, or status.?

This external motivation has its place but tends to fade over time.?

The brain finds anticipation more rewarding than the reward itself, leading to a diminishing return upon achieving the anticipated goal. These external motivators are akin to fossil fuels – potent yet finite and dependent on external factors.

In contrast, intrinsic motivation springs from within, fueled by innate desires for curiosity, mastery, purpose, and autonomy.?

This form of motivation is self-sustaining and long-lasting.?

Remember my email from last week about gratitude?

It's the equivalent of stellar fusion – the powerful, enduring energy source of stars.?

Intrinsic motivation not only sustains but amplifies itself, making even the most arduous tasks feel less burdensome and more fulfilling, fostering a cycle of skill development and flow state engagement.

To ignite and maintain this inner drive, focus on these core intrinsic motivators: curiosity, autotelic purpose, autonomy, and mastery.?

Engaging these motivators leads to heightened focus, reduced cognitive load, and the facilitation of flow states – optimal states of consciousness where we are fully immersed and perform at our best.

Each intrinsic motivator plays a crucial role:

• Curiosity drives us to explore and immerse ourselves in our interests.
• Mastery is the pursuit of excellence and continual improvement.
• Autotelic activities are those we engage in for their own sake, providing inherent satisfaction.
• Purpose imbues our actions with meaning, connecting them to a cause greater than ourselves.
• Autonomy grants us the freedom to approach our work on our terms.

Enhancing these not only elevates individual performance but can also lead to groundbreaking achievements. The hard bit is, of course, implementing these thoughts into your daily routine.

Identifying areas for growth allows for targeted strategies to enhance each motivator. Whether it's fostering curiosity through learning, pushing the boundaries of mastery, finding joy in the process, aligning work with a greater purpose, or cultivating autonomy, each step brings us closer to an untapped wellspring of motivation.

Intrinsic motivation transforms your journey towards your goals.?

It shifts the focus from external validation to internal fulfilment, making the pursuit of success an enriching and sustainable.?

This internal shift not only enhances on a professional level, but also the everyday experiences as you begin to form a deeper sense of purpose and satisfaction.?

I realise as I'm writing this, 10-year-ago me would be calling bullshit on all this. But that version of me was also a bit of an unfulfilled idiot.

I am nowhere near perfect and the reality is, I still have a lot to learn - both in business and on a spiritual, internal level.?

What I do know is that when I align my actions with these motivators, I unlock a level of motivation that propels me forward at a speed I had previously not been able to progress.?

Keep going! You've got this! ??

As always, hope it helps,

Leeroy

Serial Founder / 10X Growth Partner / Vagabond

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