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Hey Reader,

The other day, while doing the stair master at the gym (I have a love-hate relationship with this machine), I saw something I thought was both weird and funny.

In the front row, I saw a woman wearing jeans while running on a treadmill, and only three treadmills to her right, I saw another woman wearing a bathing suit and sandals while walking on the treadmill.

The contrasting sight of these two women in such opposite outfits while working out honestly made me laugh out loud (and that almost made me fall off the stairmaster, too, but that's another story).

When I saw both of these women, I wondered why one would be working out while wearing jeans, while the other worked out while in a bathing suit.

I came up with the story that the "jean woman" was probably on her way to or out of work, and didn't have a change of clothes, nor much time to work out. I decided the "bathing suit woman" was probably vacationing here in Florida and on her way to or from the beach, saw the gym (which she had a membership to), and decided she wanted to do a quick drop-in to move her body and get her steps in.

It doesn't really matter if these stories I made up for myself are in any way close to reality, because they made me think about the optimal versions of our goals versus the just good enough versions of our goals.

You may read the phrase, "just good enough," and repel the phrase.

Why would I want just "good enough" when I could aim for the perfect, "optimal" outcomes?

I agree that the optimal version of our goals would always be better. We should strive for that optimal goal as often as possible. But the truth is that the optimal version of what we want may not always be realistic and aligned with our daily lives.

So, my invitation is to instead ideate "good enough" versions of our goals for those days when we don't have the perfect amount of time or the required energy for the optimal-perfect version of what we would like to do.

For example, if your goal this year is to get in shape, improve your physical health and strength, and get in the habit of working out.

The "optimal version" of your goal may read:

• Work out at the gym for 1 hour every day.

The "just good enough version" of that same goal may read:

• Do one set of bodyweight exercises for 10-15 minutes in the living room.
• Take a walk around the neighborhood for 15-20 minutes early in the morning or after dinner.
• It may be go to the gym during your break (in your jeans because you forgot the change of clothes) and run for 15 minutes.
• Or even stop by the gym on the way to the pool party (already in your bathing suit) to get your steps in for 30 minutes.

The "good enough version" is not perfect. It may not be the optimal way of accomplishing your goal.

But the way to move forward with our goals is to make space for them in our daily lives, even on those days when everything feels like it's turned upside down.

For any new habit, and really anything new that you want to create in your life long-term, consistency and repetition are the names of the game.

• You don't build good health one time, and that's it.
• You don't build strong relationships one time, and that's it.
• You don't build a growth mindset one time, and that's it.
• You don't build a successful career one time, and that's it.

The things you want in your life are continuous and endless. You have to learn to start playing the infinite game at them.

And that means that you have to learn to perform even the optimal conditions are not there.

That's why deciding the "just good enough" versions of those goals and habits you want to create in your life will help you keep yourself in the game long-term, even on those moments when life is not perfect.

• When you are short on time, ask yourself: What is the short 10-15min version of this habit or goal?
• When you are low on energy, ask yourself: What is the easiest, low effort version of this habit or goal?

The point of consistency is to keep the streak alive long enough that the behavior starts becoming a part of you and your identity, even when things are not optimal.

The flame inside of you

In the past few weeks of January, I have honestly felt what we call in Spanish, “apagadita”.

If I had to translate it, I think it would be something along the lines of, I have felt "turned off" or "extinguished”.

No in a I’m “sad” or “depressed” way, but more like my energy and sense of excitement has been down.

It’s not the first time I’ve felt like this either. I can remember several other times in my life when I have felt, for lack of a better explanation, like things in my life were muted.

I believe there are many reasons why this happen.

But I have noticed that when it happens to me, it's often because I'm either:

• Caught in a rut of doing the same thing over and over again (aka, I'm bored of the daily routine).
• Not prioritizing doing the things that used to give me joy and that I know simply make me feel happier and more content (aka, I'm not planing for the fun in my daily life).
• Not doing or learning anything new that excites me (aka, I need to incorporate some novelty and fresh things in my life).
• Putting pressure on myself to figure things out and to do more (aka, I'm feeling 'behind').
• Or not taking care of myself physically (aka, I may not be sleeping enough, taking my supplements, moving my body daily, or eating enough protein and the whole foods that make me feel energized).

When I'm feeling low on energy, I now know it's often due to a mix of these things.

That's why now, I don't take feeling like this as a bad thing either. But simply as a sign my body is sending to change or improve some things in my life.

So, on those moments in your life when you feel low on energy and low on motivation (and we all have them!), I want you to ask yourself this:

• It could be trying out a new hobbie or activity.
• It could be going to new places regularly and trying our new foods and cuisines.
• It could be learning a new skill or a new language.
• It could be taking better care of your physical health.
• It could be doing something that used to give you joy when you were younger again.
• It could be doing something that gets you totally out of your comfort zone like public speaking or running.

I tell you this because I truly believe we all have moments when our intrinsic motivation is lower. I think this is a normal part of our human nature.

But I also think that we can be intentional in our lives and look for ways to constantly fuel our inner fire.

Because when we do, we can tap into that higher force that drives us and inspires us to keep moving forward with a sense of deep meaning and joy for life.

And is that not the greatest gift we can all give ourselves?

P.S. If you’ve been feeling low on energy or stuck waiting to feel “ready,” I recorded an episode just for you. It’s a reminder that momentum is built in imperfect moments. 🎧 Listen HERE on Spotify. Or HERE in Apple Podcasts.​

Love creating your mind one day at a time? Forward this to a friend so they can get in on the action and sign up below. Subscribe to The Created Mind Thank you for reading and sharing, Jenny ​​​​

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