Give yourself a chance.

Hi Arcadians -

It’s Jason. In Arcadia, we talk a lot about doing hard things. About doing the work. About raising the bar on what is considered average.

But none of that matters unless you show up.

You have to give yourself a chance.

That means sitting down, even when you don’t feel like it. Day after day. Putting yourself in the place where the work can actually happen. The chair. The desk. The gym. The meeting. Putting yourself in the moment.

We think we need motivation first, but most of the time motivation shows up after we do. Behavioral Activation says it best: action leads, motivation follows.

So when you feel stuck or unmotivated, the best thing you can do is move. Take the first step. Open the notebook. Hit the keys. Put the phone away. Close the apps. Lace up your shoes. Put on the music. Whatever the work is, just show up for it.

Because when you give yourself a chance, it’s always a chance to succeed.

Giving yourself that chance takes discipline. And starting is probably the most disciplined thing you will ever have to do. But discipline compounds. The more you show up, the more discipline you build. And the more discipline you build, the better chance you give yourself.

Showing up is not just about you. To pursue greatness, you have to consistently show up for yourself and for others. For your family. For your spouse. For your friends. For your team. For your community. For the people you lead. And not in grand gestures, but in ways that align with your values and reflect who you are at your best.

And it does not have to be complicated. You do not have to be consistently great. You just have to be consistent.

Consistent in how you are present with your kids. Consistent in how you move your body. Consistent in how you lead, how you deliver, how you follow through.

Think about the promises you have made to yourself recently. Maybe you said you would do more cardio. Give yourself a chance, lace up your shoes and step outside. Maybe you said you would grow in your career. Give yourself a chance, have the conversation, ask the question, seek the mentor, join a community.

It is that simple. It is also that hard.

Because greatness does not come from one big moment. It comes from the daily choice to show up and give yourself a chance.

So this week, ask yourself: where do you need to show up more consistently? And then take the step.

Give yourself a chance.

Be Great,

Jason

P.S. Sam and I are relaunching the podcast in October - are you subscribed?