Dear Fortitude family,

Welcome back to my midweek motivation! Each day and week brings its own set of experiences and inspirations, compelling me to share my thoughts with all of you.

I came across this post and I couldn't resist sharing it. Let's be honest, most of us have the same goals. We all want to win a championship, be the MVP, and achieve great success. However, when it comes down to actually putting in the necessary effort, only a few are truly willing to do what it takes. The harsh truth is that many of us desire the rewards without putting in the work. We want to show up on game day, give our "best" performance, and ignore the other six days of the week where we put in mediocre effort. But what if there was a way to make hard work a little easier? Would you be interested? And what if this way was within your control? Well, I have some good news for you - there is a way.

Often, what holds us back from pursuing our goals is not just the intensity of the work, but also the sacrifices that come with it. Let's take a closer look at the word "sacrifice." It carries a negative connotation, making us focus on what we are losing, giving up, and missing out on. "Sacrifice" doesn't inspire belief or thoughts of what we are gaining. Of course, every aspect of life requires some level of sacrifice. However, shifting our perspective from "I'm sacrificing this" to "I'm committing myself to this" can make a monumental difference in our mindset. Suddenly, we go from losing to gaining, which makes the work more appealing. The words we use matter. How we communicate with ourselves can be the difference between success and failure, winning and losing. Though subtle, a shift in word usage can change our perspective and interpretation of events, ultimately affecting our willingness to take action. Instead of always seeing it as "I'm sacrificing this," view it as "I'm fully committed to this goal." I often make the mistake of focusing on the sacrifices required to become the best. However, I've shifted that conversation to asking myself, "How committed am I?" This triggers the reward system in our brain. Instead of depleting the brain of something we think it wants, we reward it with something it truly desires. I understand that this may seem like a small change, but over time, consistently altering our word usage can lead to a shift in our actions. Our brains are incredibly powerful, but we must program them to work for us, not against us. The next time you're faced with the decision of watching another episode on Netflix or doing your nighttime mobility routine, don't say, "I need to sacrifice Netflix." Instead, say, "I'm committed to the habits that make me a champion." By doing this, you are silently but surely programming your identity as a "doer." Doing what it takes to win will become second nature. Utilize the tools at your disposal to set yourself apart.

Don’t lower your bar. Raise your work. Commit to yourself.

To Building Fortitude.

Warm regards,

Colin Jonov CEO & Founder, Athletic Fortitude

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