Are you letting the wrong things motivate you?

Embarking on a journey of self-improvement is far from a leisurely stroll through the park. More often than not, it’s easier to fall into unhealthy habits than to forge ahead on the path to progress. The lure of detrimental routines surrounds us—from overindulging in food and drink to giving in to late nights and marathon binge-watching sessions. The temptations are always there, making positive personal growth feel like an uphill battle.

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When it comes to incorporating exercise into our lives, the challenge intensifies even more. It requires meticulous planning and unwavering commitment. Building a consistent workout regimen means picking suitable time slots, choosing a gym or activity, or opting for virtual classes or home equipment. It also means integrating into a new health-focused community and fostering camaraderie in working toward a shared goal. Consistency is vital, yet it’s not always easy to maintain. Skipping just a few sessions can lead to backsliding, making us question if it’s too late to get back on track.

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While a treadmill at home seems convenient, it falls short of providing a comprehensive fitness experience. Halfheartedly walking while snacking in front of the TV won't produce results. What we need is a balanced program covering cardio and strength training.

Yet, the obstacles don’t stop there. Following a healthy diet is crucial, as is prioritizing quality sleep and mastering self-care through meditation and calming routines. Developing self-awareness, skills, and expertise with tools and processes is equally important. On top of it all, effectively managing our time among family, friends, and coworkers is paramount.

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With these complexities, it’s understandable why many are tempted to throw in the towel.

The barriers may differ from one person to another, but the reality remains: it is far easier to make unhealthy choices that can jeopardize our well-being, careers, and quality of life overall.

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For those who’ve stayed the course on the self-improvement journey, the road is sure to be rocky. For those who feel it’s not the right time yet, be patient with yourself.

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I recently published a post about onboarding college grads into our company. Many asked about the key to success. The answers were diverse yet insightful. I’m confident many of these young professionals will not just excel but surpass me and my peers. The essence is this: taking on challenges is essential, but to truly shine, one must tackle difficulties with unmatched vigor—do it tenfold. Ten is just a number, the key is a high multiplier. Being slightly better is not enough.

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While some may get lucky, waiting for a miracle isn't a strategy. To become a top performer, one must put in consistent, tireless effort. Just look at celebrities across business, sports, or entertainment. There are no shortcuts to success.

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The journey may seem daunting but it’s not insurmountable. We can band together, confront these obstacles head-on, and control the inputs. Remember, the effort we expend is ultimately up to us. Outcomes will follow accordingly, and we’ll embrace them wholeheartedly, ready to embark on the next leg of our journey.

Here’s a simple example: I control how many articles I publish each week. I don’t control how many people read, like, or comment on them. If my goal is to write 2-3 articles per week and I meet or exceed that, I'm doing everything I should. I have an objective, purpose, and measurable goal that I'm achieving through dedicated time and effort. I'll feel successful and motivated every day and every week. I will review my outcomes in a longer period, say 6 months. Then I might re-adjust my goals if I want to. Change takes time.

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If I made my goal subscriber count or likes and obsessed over that daily, I'd be setting myself up for an emotional rollercoaster each week. I don't control those outcomes. I want to provide value to readers by sharing insights, not accrue subscribers.

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If I keep looking for outcome improvements every hour, every day, even every week or month – I am setting myself for failure. I am letting myself down. I will likely throw the towel and switch to old habits.

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If gaining subscribers was my sole purpose, I'd need to identify my target audience, market to them, build my brand through content, and more. In addition to article goals, I'd establish input goals around those activities driving subscriber count. I'd focus on those additional input goals daily and weekly, these are additional actions that I have now signed up for myself. However I will still not add the output metric to review daily/weekly as I can't directly control it.

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The point is, that it’s easy to let output metrics that you can’t directly control lead to disappointment. Focus on input goals within your power. Measure and track those. Review output metrics periodically to inform input adjustments. But avoid letting output metrics drive your daily motivation.

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Improving life is hard work. If you're trying, you're already awesome. If you really want to excel, do ten times more. Focus on what you can control as inputs. Adjust them on a 6-12 month basis. Engage with others for support—you are not alone, you only need to ask.

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I hope this provides inspiration for your journey. Until next time, cheers!

Amit