“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit“
Aristotle (Will Durant)
05:45 AM – Still in bed
In the quiet moments of the early morning, as the world slumbers, my alarm jolts me awake. It’s another Monday, the start of a week brimming with challenges and opportunities. Each day, I commit to an hour of training, a ritual that shapes my mornings. Today, it’s swimming, and the chill of the outside air, mingled with a soft drizzle, makes my heart sink. As I brew my morning coffee, a dread washes over me. The project at work, looming like a mountain, demands more than I feel I possess. It’s a complex maze of unfamiliar topics, requiring me to stretch beyond my comfort zone to learn and grow in ways I hadn’t anticipated. In these moments, I remind myself, “We are what we repeatedly do.”
08:00 AM – At the Edge of the Pool
After the morning rush of dropping my kids at school, their goodbye kisses still lingering on my cheek, I drive mechanically toward the swimming pool. My motivation is as damp as the weather outside. But I press on, knowing that “we are what we repeatedly do.” This simple truth pushes me forward, reminding me that each stroke in the pool, each lap completed, is a testament to my commitment and reflects who I am and aspire to be.
09:00 AM – Post-Swim Reflections
Emerging from the pool, I feel a transformation. The warmth in my muscles and the rush of endorphins bring a sense of accomplishment and joy in the simple act of showing up and pushing through. This feeling and satisfaction ignite a spark, readying me for the day’s work. It’s a vivid reminder that “we are what we repeatedly do.” Excellence, then, is not an act, but a a habit.
10:00 AM – At My Desk
I navigate the morning’s tasks at my desk, coffee in hand. Yet, in the back of my mind, the daunting project awaits. It’s been three days since I last tackled it, and the delay only adds to its intimidation. But then, a simple mantra echoes in my mind: “Just show up. Start small, simple, easy.” The same principle got me through today’s swim, yesterday’s gym session, and countless other challenges. It’s about showing up and taking that first step, however small it may be. In this moment of hesitation, I find strength in the thought, “We are what we repeatedly do.” I will start working on this project for 30 minutes and make some notes about tomorrow’s project-related tasks.
What has success got to do with this?
Success, I’ve come to realize, isn’t just about raw talent or sheer luck. It’s about consistency, the power of habit. It’s about choosing to start, day after day, building a routine that leads to achievement. Today, I prefer facing that project, even if it is only for 30 minutes. Tomorrow, perhaps a little longer. In these moments, as we persist in our decisions, we joyfully pave the way to success.
In the grand tapestry of life, it’s not just motivation or luck that shapes our destiny but the strength of our habits. The most successful among us aren’t necessarily those with the most talent or the luckiest breaks. They are the ones who have mastered the art of showing up, embracing the routine, and finding comfort in consistent effort. They know that success is a journey, not a destination, and each small step is a building block in creating something greater. As I sit here, poised to tackle the project, I realize that the key to unlocking my potential lies in the habits I cultivate. It’s about choosing, day after day, to engage in activities that challenge and grow me. It’s about understanding that with each decision to persevere, I’m not just working towards a goal but also shaping the person I am becoming.
The successful woman of tomorrow is the one who chooses her habits wisely today, knowing that with consistent effort, the path becomes more apparent, and success, once a distant dream, becomes an achievable reality.
Use this metaphor for showing up
Every day you show up, think of it as adding a new block to your tower of success. Each block is different – some are big and colorful for the days you do a lot, and others are small for the quieter days. But every block counts. Like building a tower, the more blocks you add, the taller and stronger it gets. Your daily efforts, big or small, come together to build something amazing.
Remember: Excellence is something other than this thing you do one time.
You need to show up.. show up small, show up easy, show up.
