SMALL STEPS MAKE SUCCESS

I didn’t feel like coming to the library today to read and write tonight. I just came with little expectation of what the work would look like. I’m satisfied with the decision in and of itself to come to the library and produce a blog post. It was a long day; I’d rather order carryout from a local food joint and go to sleep… but I have work to do. When looking up at a daunting mountain the most productive thing you can do is brace yourself for the climb ahead and take the first step. It won’t be sexy, it won’t be in rhythm, but it’s a start.

A song from my favorite band is called "Gold Steps". A lyric that's always struck a chord with me is "I've been moving mountains that I once had to climb". It's profound and a good snippet of what it means to conquer your own limitations. The only way you climb that mountain is one step at a time for a consistent period of time.

“Success is the product of daily habits — not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.”

-          James Clear

This is the system. This is the key to success. Show up every single day and work.

"Do so much volume that it would be unreasonable to be unsuccessful" is a piece of advice from Alex Hormozi that hits the nail on the head here. Do so much damn volume that it would be hard for anybody to match. It would be ridiculous to not be successful. For example, if somebody wakes up every single day and works incredibly hard and dedicates himself to learning and getting better, it would be highly unlikely that he is not successful in one or some areas of life. Will power and the ability to endure challenges is something the human race is incredible at. Our potential is so great, and it's unfortunately suppressed by our friends, family, and coworkers. It's not malice, it's fear -- fear of entering the arena. And when that's not the issue or it is parlayed with limiting self-beliefs - it's a recipe for losing. The men and women who effect real change are not a product of their environment -- but the environment is a product of them and their agency. People must adjust to you. Start and don't stop until you conquer. Nothing else matters.

There are levels of physical aesthetics. I was a super skinny kid in high school who never had muscles. When I started working out, I immediately gained some size. I’ve had patches of dedication and other periods of negligence when it comes to consistency in the gym. Unequivocally, the greatest progress I’ve made has been the stretches where I don’t overthink it and I simply show up every day because that’s the priority. Show up, do the work, and over a long enough time horizon, your inputs will produce output. Don’t race for the output – be excited for the inputs. The outputs are out of my control but the inputs are my creative design for my life and my choice EVERY DAY.

Don't let limiting thoughts control you. Epictetus says we need to remove irrational thoughts with the same seriousness when we would remove a tumor. Our thoughts are the foundation of the lives we live. Put real focus into the thoughts you think and the actions you partake in. Don't let anyone stop you. Human opinion is scarier in our heads than in reality. Don't let it hinder you from doing the work.

Exercise your willpower and give it everything you have. There is no downside. There are Ws and Ls - Wins and Lessons, that is. Stay learning, stay grinding, focus on the inputs, and I'm sure God will bless you with the outputs you either desire or deserve.