People often assume that successful, high-performing people bounce out of bed every morning full of joy and motivation. I know it sometimes looks that way for me. I own two gyms, I stay fit and lean, and I’m part of a strong community. From the outside, it might seem like I’ve always got it together, waking up every day with a “Weee, it’s great to be alive!” attitude.
The truth? Most mornings, I start with a heavy sigh. Motivation doesn’t just appear. Like anyone else, I have stress, doubts, and mental clutter. That’s why I’ve learned that mindset isn’t automatic — it’s something I have to curate every single day.
Why Mindset Needs Practice
Just like training your body, training your mind requires consistency. Science shows us why:
Neuroplasticity — our brains rewire in response to what we repeat. Gratitude, affirmations, or mindful practices make positivity more accessible over time.
Negativity Bias — we’re wired to give more weight to threats and negatives than positives. It takes effort to tip the balance.
Gratitude & Mindfulness — journaling or meditation reduces stress hormones, improves sleep, and builds resilience.
One of my favorite reminders: “Success is never owned, it’s rented — and every day we pay the rent.” That applies to fitness, and it applies to mindset. Neither one happens by accident. You don’t get fit by skipping workouts, and you don’t wake up positive by default. You have to show up — every day — and do the work. Mindset is a muscle, and like any muscle, it grows when you train it consistently.
My Daily Mindset Practice
What works for me won’t be what works for everyone. I encourage you to play around and see what feels right for you. Numbers and research can point the way, but ultimately you have to build a practice that fits your life.
☕ Morning Coffee + Motivation After my first sip of coffee, I pull up a short (7–15 min) YouTube video — usually something motivational. I love Motiversity and Oprah’s morning talks. It’s a simple way to prime my mindset.
📚 15 Minutes of Reading Then I read 15 minutes or 3–5 pages from a leadership, fitness, or professional development book. It adds up — and it’s manageable even on busy days. There is no possible way I would be able to devote 30-60 min to reading. By doing this practice daily, I can read roughly 8-10 books a year. Surprising right?!
🚶 Walk with My Dog Next, I get outside — even here in New Hampshire when it’s cold, snowy, or rainy. Yes, sunny days are nice, but the tough weather days build resilience. Bundle up, put a jacket on your dog (they usually love it), and embrace the adversity. It’s a reminder that doing hard things once makes the next one easier.
On walks, I listen to podcasts like:
Modern Wisdom with Chris Williamson — “Lessons from the Greatest Thinkers on the Planet.”
The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett — deep, unfiltered conversations with high achievers. Wikipedia
Huberman Lab with Dr. Andrew Huberman — science-backed tools for health and performance.
Marketing and leadership shows to stay sharp in business.
🌬️ Breathing & Meditation Breaks When the day gets hectic, I pause for short resets — sometimes meditation, often breathwork. The book Just Breathe by Dan Brulé offers practical, science-backed exercises that calm your nervous system and reset focus. Even just 10–15 minutes can shift your afternoon.
📱 Curating My Feed With social media being part of my work, I curate what I see intentionally: dogs, kids, leadership, entrepreneurship, and fitness. Positive inputs lead to positive outputs. If you feed your mind negativity — news, drama, true crime — that’s what sticks.
😴 Evening Reset Before bed, I often end with breathwork. It helps me unwind and sets the stage for restful sleep.
The Takeaway
Mindset doesn’t flip on by itself — it’s a daily practice. Just like fitness, you don’t get to keep it unless you keep showing up. We pay the rent every day.
This is my practice. Yours may look different — and that’s exactly the point. Experiment, adjust, and build your own routine. Because when you feed positivity in, positivity comes out.
I’d love to hear about your mindset routine — what works for you?
Mindset is the foundation. Movement is the practice. The result? Strength that lasts.
P. S. Our 42 Strong Fall Challenge has sold out before — and spots are limited again. If you want in, don’t wait.
