NOT Cutting Corners

The other day I sent you an email about a trait called “grit” — which is connected to mental toughness and resilience.

It’s the drive that helps you see your goals through to the end.

But there’s something about grit/mental toughness that we tend to forget as we get older…

It’s actually EMPOWERING and FUN to build it!

Remember when you were a kid and you were learning a new skill — swimming, riding a bike, jumping rope, shooting baskets, etc — and you’d challenge yourself to do just a little more?

And then you’d be so proud of yourself as you got better and better?

Well, that’s all a part of building more grit and mental toughness.

James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, shared a few ways to build more grit to make the process more fun.  I base much of my coaching philosophy on the ideas in this book.

Define what “grit” means to you.

Some examples:

• Walking outdoors 3 days a week for an entire month, without missing a single session
• Meal prepping your meals (& actually eating them) ... NO CRINKLY WRAPPERS
• Getting into bed at night no later than 10pm

Once you come up with something meaningful, start building your “grit” muscles by getting it done, no matter WHAT.

Tell yourself:  “GO TIME!” … and put on your game face.  My clients have access to my software that helps them keep track of their chosen activity/habit practice

Pro tip: Choose just 1 thing to work on at a time.  Layer on more when you’re ready.  This keeps it positive vs. just another “thing” to add to your to-do list.

Find small ways to prove yourself to yourself.

Go the extra mile (or minute).
Spend an extra minute or two on the treadmill, or go for an extra rep during your next workout … just to see if you can (while being safe, obviously).

When you add that element of playfulness and a little competition with yourself, it makes it fun — and it also helps you get better, faster!

Any time you are tempted to “cheat” or cut corners … DON’T.

It’s almost always worse in our heads than it is in real life.

And you will be SUPER PROUD of yourself when you’re done (which keeps you moving forward).

One of the things I love most about this approach is that it helps you focus on your possibilities vs. your limits.

Committed to your success,