MM#287--Those Three Voices? Choose Consistency Every Time

Welcome to the Theory to Action podcast, where we examine the timeless treasures of wisdom from the great books in less time, to help you take action immediately and ultimately to create and lead a flourishing life. Now here's your host, david Kaiser Hello.

I am David and welcome back to another Mojo Minute Today. Let's talk exercise. Some 10 years ago I was an exercise freak, seriously an exercise freak. 10 years ago I was in the primest shape of my life Not sure if that's a word, but primest shape of my life we're going to go with Now, not so much. What changed. Well, let me answer that question by telling you a story. Way back in the day, you know that super workout guy, tony Horton yeah, the guy who created P90X. So that guy got me super inspired. In my first round of P90X, yes, I lasted all 90 days and, long story short, I got in the best shape of my life after a second round of P90X. Now, did you know that Mr Tony Horton wrote a wonderful book titled the Big Picture, and here's where we're going to pick up today's nugget, or nuggets, of wisdom? Now, again, before we go to the book, to refresh your memory, tony Horton is that energizer bunny guy of the exercise Guy is super jacked, still age 63, still has a six pack, still super jacked. And I've been following him for some 10 years. So I was super interested in Tony's secrets. For example, did was he always like, super motivated to work out each and every time and his answer from the book, the Big Picture, is nah, not so much. In fact, he tells us here's my dirty little secret I don't get all that fired up about exercise most of the time. What Holy smokes, really, mr Exercise himself doesn't get fired up each and every time he works out. You mean like he's kind of like you and me. Then Tony keeps answering from the book when he says he listens to the voice of consistency and ignores the other voices. Yes, you seen, tom, the voice of consistency. Huh, in fact, let's go to the book to hear it from Tony's mouth himself. Some people have the exercise bug. Their motivation never waivers and nothing slows them down. I am not one of those people. After 30 years, you would think the desire for exercise would be automatic for me, but it's not. Mostly because of three little voices in my head. Voice number one is the halo wearing angelic Tony on my shoulder. He's my enthusiasm, my excitement, my desire to sweat and compete and feel good. He's my can't wait, look forward to it, feeling strong. Let's get out there and kick some Beep. I hear him about 21.35% of the time. Voice number two is the red horned, pitchfork wielding Tony. Oh my God, I can't believe I have to do this right now. He complains. This is the very last thing I have ever wanted to do. Actually, maybe there's something on HBO right now and it'll never be on again and DVR accidentally forgot to record it. Let's just have some chocolate chip cookies and this guy pipes up. This voice pipes up about 35.4% of the time. And voice number three is the middle guy. He's the voice of consistency. He is effective, but he's about as exciting as a wet dish rag. All right, here we go. Yeah, yeah, yeah, going to train now it's gonna be okay, he says in a matter of fact voice. He's just there to figure out the most pleasant way to get through something I'm not at all into at the moment. He talks about 43.25% of the time. Luckily, I have democracy on my side, an angel, tony and the boring consistency guy. They add up to 64.6% of the time and they usually win the devil. Tony has launched an aggressive redistricting campaign in hopes of increasing his influence, but so far he hasn't made too many gains. We all have these three voices or maybe it's just me, uh-oh. Unfortunately, the consistent one tends to get ignored, probably because he's so boring and without him the angel doesn't stand a chance. So if you're just sitting around waiting for him or her to overpower your devil voice so that you can effortlessly launch into whatever unpleasant task is at hand, it ain't gonna happen. That angel needs a little help. If you can still can't seem to hear Mr Consistency, go grab a voice recorder and recite the following you just have to do it, just do it. Listen to the angel. I know he's kind of annoying, but it's the right thing to do. You'll be happier and healthier when you have done it. Ha ha, ha ha. I love how Tony just frames that story. Tony is just like you and me. Imagine that. So we have three nuggets of wisdom for today's Mojo Minute. First, let us understand that everyone is human. Almost none of us want to do certain things. Some of us don't want to work out each and every day. There's no hack. There's no superhuman capability. Even the superhumans who we think are superhuman are not really superhuman. They just do what needs to be done every day. They listen to that voice of consistency. Now, second, you have to know these voices in your head. We all have them, at least I agree with Tony. I think Most of us have them and we have to listen to the good ones. Consistency beats intensity each and every time. And lastly, about me. The reason I'm not in super good shape anymore is well, you guessed it I have not been listening to the voice of consistency each and every day. However, that is not on the exercise equation. I have been exercising, I actually love exercising, but the voice of consistency has failed me on the food side, as it does with a lot of people. So perhaps you can come back next week and we'll talk all about the food stuff, but for now, let's you and I make sure the good voices are winning in our heads, and most especially, that voice of consistency.

Thank you for joining us. We hope you enjoyed this Theory to Action podcast. Be sure to check out our show page at teammojoacademycom, where we have everything we discussed in this podcast, as well as other great resources. Until next time, keep getting your mojo on.