This is not for the weak, but...
Here's how to actually change your life and do what needs to be done.
"A mouse will walk towards the cheese, but it will run from the cat."
This is why you struggle with discipline…
You chase the cheese.
You don’t run from the cat.
As humans, we behave based on 2 factors:
Reward & Punishment.
If you do something that rewards you, you will keep doing it. If you do something and get punished, you will stop doing it.
This applies to everything.
But don’t be fooled.
A reward is not a trophy or something that someone gives you.
A reward can be pleasure, validation, praise, joy, etc.
For example,
If you play video games and experience joy, that's a reward, and you'll play more video games. If you watch p*rn and it brings you pleasure, that's a reward, and you'll watch more p*rn.
Same with punishment.
If you do something and people mock you for it, that's a punishment, and you'll stop doing it. If you do something and it sucks, that's punishment, and you'll stop doing it.
You get the point.
But the thing is,
Sure, we want to get the rewards…
But we f*cking hate being punished.
Pain sucks.
It really does.
We are wired to avoid pain. It's in our nature as human beings.
And we can use it to our advantage.
Think of it like this:
The carrot and the stick.
A donkey may be motivated to go get the carrot.
But the stick?
Sh*t...
It hates being hit with the stick.
“A mouse will walk towards the cheese, but it will run from the cat”.
Walking towards a nice meal vs. running from potential death.
See the difference?
The same is true for us.
We hate pain.
We hate punishment.
And you can leverage this.
Sure, you want to hit your goals. Sure, you want to be healthy, wealthy, and loved.
But you still struggle with discipline, right?
That’s the reward.
But how about pain?
How about punishment?
How about the fact that if you don't go to your job, you will be fired and become homeless? How about the fact that if you don't brush your teeth and shower, you will become a literal rotting human being?
Do you brush your teeth?
Do you go to work?
Do you shower?
Yes?
Discipline?
Not needed.
Those are the things you act upon. Effortlessly.
To avoid pain.
To avoid punishment.
You don't want to be homeless and unsure where your next meal is gonna come from. You don't want to smell like sh*t, have your teeth fall out, and have people be disgusted with your presence.
That’s punishment.
That’s pain.
And that is powerful.
More powerful than a reward.
So why don’t you use this?
Start exploiting human nature to get your life together.
How?
It's simple...
Two steps:
1. Get clear on your Anti-vision.
What is a life you would absolutely despise? A life so bad, you would rather die than end up living it.
Is it working at McDonald's, putting fries in the bag for the rest of your life? Is it being fat and weak? Being alone and depressed? What is it? Make it clear. Write it down. Create a list.
2. Get clear on your Nightmare.
If you keep living the way you're currently living...
...where will you end up in 5 years? 10 years?
Get vivid with this. Really think about it.
Will it be close to your Anti-vision?
Will it be ugly?
Will it suck?
Does it hurt even thinking about it?
Good. That's what you need.
Let it hurt. Let it be ugly.
WAKE UP TO REALITY.
This is the life that’s waiting for you if you don't get your sh*t together.
Combine this with a clear vision or goal, and you’re unstoppable.
If that doesn't compel you to move...
Then not much will.
Keep thinking about your Anti-vision and Nightmare often.
Keep it top of mind.
Let it slowly burn into your brain.
It will be uncomfortable. You will feel sad and maybe even get depressed.
And that's the point. That should be used as fuel to take action.
"People change when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change." - Tony Robbins
This is what makes people change.
Pain.
When you're sick and tired of where you are and how you're living.
THEN you'll change.
It won't be fun.
It won't be easy.
But it will be worth it. If you’re strong enough to get through it.
Fair warning: This is not for the weak. If you truly want to change and are prepared to suffer, then you should do this. But if you're unsure or are quick to adopt a victim mentality and give up, then this isn't for you.
And also, running from pain shouldn’t drive your entire life.
You should use it to get started.
It should be an extra force pushing you:
Your goal/vision pulls you. And your Anti-vision/nightmare pushes you.
Once you're progressing, you should adjust to find more joy and meaning.
But to get yourself out of a rut?
To go from nothing to something?
That takes pain.
And not a little bit.
So embrace the suck.
And suffer well.
Cheers,
- T




God bless
This post is helping me throughout this rough time of college and its just going to get harder as time goes along