In a world that constantly bombards us with quick fixes, hacks and instant gratification, the real path to results lies in the unglamorous and often overlooked principles of consistency, resilience, grit and the compound effect.

In today’s newsletter, I’m going to draw on the wisdom of people who inspire me on a regular basis. I hope you take at least one these ideas to heart and put it into practice.

Show Up Every Day

“Don’t expect to be motivated every day to get out there and make things happen. You won’t be. Don’t count on motivation. Count on Discipline.”

– Jocko Willink

Legendary Navy SEAL Jocko Willink once said, "Discipline equals freedom." This statement encapsulates the essence of showing up every day. Whether it's in pursuing our goals, maintaining our health, or nurturing our relationships, consistency is the key.

By committing ourselves to showing up daily, we forge habits that lead to lasting success. Remember, it's not about waiting for the perfect moment; it's about creating it through unwavering dedication.

Tyler Quinn, my friend and fellow co-founder of Alchemy 365, has a line I borrow regularly:

Something > Nothing

Doing something every day is progress. It builds on itself. It’s the foundation of creating a habit.

Think of it like a stadium and the playing field. You can either be a spectator or an athlete. Get out of the seats in the stands and get on the field. It’s the only place you can make a play.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a big or small. Do something every day.

Embrace Discomfort

"You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft that you will die without ever realizing your true potential."

- David Goggins

Renowned endurance athlete and former Navy Seal David Goggins embodies the idea of getting comfortable being uncomfortable. Goggins challenges the notion of the comfort zone, arguing that it is a deceptive barrier that hinders personal growth.

As men over 50, it's easy to settle into a comfortable routine, but growth lies outside our comfort zones. By willingly exposing ourselves to challenges, we build mental and physical resilience. Embracing discomfort becomes a catalyst for personal growth and unleashes our true potential.

Embracing discomfort is possible in every area of your life. For example:

• Trying sushi when you think you hate it

• Taking a cold shower for 3 minutes (try this in MN in January)

• Trying a class like Alchemy or Crossfit when you normally do yoga

• Starting a side gig while fully employed

• Doing burpees everyday in June (the current challenge in Argent Alpha)

When you think about it, everything awesome in your life happened because you got out of your comfort zone.

This image captures the idea perfectly:

Nurture Grit and Resilience

“Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.”

- Angela Duckworth

Grit is the unwavering determination that propels us forward, even in the face of adversity. Angela Duckworth defines grit as "passion and perseverance for long-term goals."

To cultivate grit, we must align our actions with our core values and aspirations. It means staying committed to our goals, no matter how tough the path may be. Grit empowers us to persist when others give up, driving us toward extraordinary achievements.

Grit and showing up every day go hand in hand.

Duckworth explains that resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks.

We've all faced our fair share of challenges and setbacks, but it's our response that matters.

Resilience is not about avoiding failure; it's about learning from it, adapting, and pressing forward. By honing our resilience, we become unstoppable warriors who overcome any obstacle that comes our way.

The Compound Effect: Small Steps, Big Impact

“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”

- Darren Hardy, The Compound Effect

In the words of author and success mentor Darren Hardy, "Small, smart choices, plus consistency over time, lead to significant results."

The compound effect is the principle that highlights the power of consistent action over time. Each small step we take compounds into something much greater.

The compound effect does not differentiate between positive or negative actions. If you consistently do something, the compound effect is always working.

If you are 30 lbs overweight, that didn’t happen overnight. The consistent decision to eat poorly over time compounded into weight gain.

Likewise, when you want to lose 30 lbs of fat it won’t happen overnight. The consistent decision to eat properly over time will compound into fat loss.

By consistently making smart choices and taking deliberate action, we set in motion a chain of events that leads to remarkable transformations.

Conclusion

Let’s apply these principles to your health.

Assume you start showing up every day and work on improving your fitness. Day 1 might be walking for 10 minutes. By day 30 you might be walking an hour. On Day 60 you are doing pushups and lunges. After 3 months, you join a gym, meet new people and are doing things you couldn’t have imagined 90 days ago.

You find yourself enjoying a tough workout. You are getting comfortable being uncomfortable.

You slowly change the food you eat. It started by skipping certain foods like bagels and sugary coffee drinks for breakfast. You increased protein and started eating more fruits and vegetables.

Your clothes don’t fit. Not because they are too tight…they are loose, approaching baggy.

You hang out with friends but because you have some new found grit, you say no to that extra cocktail or the chips and salsa. It feels good to be in control and not mindlessly consume.

And if you do overindulge, you have the resiliency to bounce back the next day.

After 6 months your friends and family can’t believe their eyes. The compound effect has kicked in and you are a “6 month overnight success story.”

That’s what can happen when you:

• Show up every day

• Embrace discomfort

• Nurture grit and resilience

• Let the compound effect kick in

I know because we have over 3 dozen Men over 50 doing it every day.

Interested in learning more about Argent Alpha? Before we connect, read this article that talks about the challenges Men over 50 face and how you can take next steps.