“If you believe it will work out, you’ll see opportunities. If you believe it won’t you will see obstacles.”
– Wayne Dyer
Good morning!
Did you know Marilyn Monroe’s original name was Norma Jeane Mortenson? Doesn’t have the same ring to it. She didn’t think so, either. Which is why she changed her name in 1956 to something she thought was more empowering and less associated with her troubled childhood. There’s a lesson here about the power of creating alter egos for ourselves — and The Alter Ego Effect is a great book on just that topic. Check it out.
– Mike & Alec
What if it Does Work Out?
When you’re trying something, it’s easy to convince yourself why it won’t work out.
To make every excuse under the sun.
But I want to challenge you.
When you’re in that moment and your subconscious is working overdrive to convince you why you’re going to fail…
…stop and ask yourself: what if it does work out?
If you can stay aware of your subconscious thoughts when something gets hard, and flip that equation on its head, you’ll start to see the opportunities you can use to your advantage.
Then, instead of accepting defeat and playing the blame game…
…things will actually start working out in your favor.
This isn’t something that’s going to happen overnight or stick the first time you try it.
You may have to ask yourself over and over again until it does stick.
But once you program your brain to immediately resort to asking, “what if it does work out?”, you’ll see the path to victory in the outcomes you’re pursuing.
That’s when it becomes second nature and the self-doubt you’re feeling when you’re doing something new will get replaced with confidence and a curious energy.
So stop and ask yourself right now…
What if it does work out?
Don’t Fail Twice
“So often, we make the mistake of believing that sticking to good habits is an all-or-nothing game,” James Clear writes.
Hear, hear.
“We assume that if we slip up on our diet, then we have ruined the whole thing.
We act like missing one day of writing means we simply weren’t meant to be a writer.
We use our lack of motivation to work out as evidence that we don’t have the willpower to make change happen.
These beliefs are incorrect. Habits are behaviors that we repeat consistently. However, they are not behaviors that we repeat perfectly. This small idea—that consistency does not require perfection—is important.
When it comes to building good habits and breaking bad habits, individual mistakes do not matter in the long-run. Instead, it is the second mistake that is far more important.”
In fact, he recommends, stop worrying about individual mistakes… worry only about allowing those mistakes to become a pattern.
“This is why the most important thing is not to prevent mistakes altogether, but to avoid making a mistake twice in a row. Errors are part of the process, but they shouldn’t become part of the pattern.
One mistake is just an outlier. Two mistakes is the beginning of a pattern. Killing this pattern before it snowballs into something bigger is one reason why learning how to get back on track quickly is an essential skill for building good habits.”
Try applying this rule to a habit that you’re trying to build. Don’t worry about breaking the streak once… only try not to break it twice in a row.
Image of The Week
This Week’s Riddle
Here’s this week’s riddle — the answer is at the bottom of the email!
Three different doctors said that Paul is their brother yet Paul claims he has no brothers. Who is lying?
This Week’s Journaling Prompt
Take some time to think through the following journaling prompt.
Do a bit of imagining about what if your current pursuit DOES work out. What would that look like? What would that feel like?
This Week’s Challenge
Go on a date this week with a friend or family member! Life is short and relationships are what make it special. So set aside some time for bonding and memories.
Riddle Answer: No one is lying because the three doctors are Paul’s sisters.