#75Hard Day 22: 🔐 Show Up, Give Extra, & Surprise Yourself

▶️ I mentioned in a previous video that the best way to consistently practice healthy habits and maintain growth is to be able to achieve a system of self-accountability.
▶️ A level one approach requires external motivation; the carrot and stick mentality where we use rewards and punishments as means of following through.
▶️ While it works, it is not as empowering as achieving a next-level system where you don’t require external factors to follow through on your disciplines. Instead you are driven from within.
▶️ So how do you get to this place of self accountability?
▶️ First, you must show up. Most of the time, the hardest battle is just showing up. Once you do that, you are usually good to go on follow-through with that specific decision of discipline. It’s like overcoming the force required to start an object in motion. From there, the action propels you forward and momentum is on your side.
▶️ Second, you give a little bit more than you think you can; a little bit more than you gave last time. Growth happens when we push ourselves outside of our perceived limitations. The majority of the time the limitation is our mind, not our capabilities.
▶️ When you do those two things, you surprise yourself. This new level of excitement about how you are capable than more than what you once thought you were capable of serves as an internal motivation system to keep showing up, keep giving more, and to see what else you can accomplish.
▶️ It’s a self perpetuating cycle which serves to keep you accountable to yourself and excited about practicing disciplines.
▶️ This applies in all areas of self-discipline—anything from finances to exercise to relationship strengthening, etc.
▶️ Also, the excitement about growth in one area will spill over to other areas and spark a desire to see what else you can do. When you are propelled from within, you are even able to overcome external obstacles that would derail you from your goals! You are no longer fighting against yourself, but are your own greatest ally.