One thing that helped me was noticing that I affected the people around me. And if I could have a positive effect, then I gained a reason for being more positive about myself.

The opportunities came with minor leadership positions at work, conversations with family and peers, and even making friends with people in my neighborhood (neighbors, store owners, whoever). If I went to the same sandwich shop often and ordered the same thing, it was easy to become recognized as a “regular”, and then it was easier to make small talk.

You have to understand, though, that I planned NONE of this. It just happened organically. But if I could go back twenty years, I’d tell myself to keep doing whatever I was doing because it would work out.

True.

Or … we’re all products of evolution. No higher power put us here. Biology did.

Looking at this stressed me out, ngl.

So if I believe I can do anything, this is a weakness?

I try to think the same way and having some small goal every training is good, preferably something that can be discussed with others to get different angles and create better learning.

I agree I just noticed it after reading the comments. I guess you can say I was really looking for some motivation this morning and when I found this I immediately liked it without reading it a second time. 😂

LOL when I read this I was like that’s inspirational but I read it a second time now and I get what you mean 😅

You showed that OP with his stupid motivator nice.

He made a mistake posting it.

^(/s)

Thank you for your wise words. I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with those panic attacks. They are not easy to go through and really can wear you down, I understand 😔 It sounds like you’ve come out on the other side, and I hope that’s true! One thing that really stuck out to me here (and in another comment- so maybe it’s my intuition telling me this is the thing to focus on for me) is the power of novelty. Ordering a new dish, like you said. Funny enough, I DO order the same things wherever I go. And I pretty much live a Groundhog Day everyday. Time to mix things up and spice it up!! In fact, yeah- anytime I do something new like explore local shops I’ve never visited before- it feels like an adventure and marvelous day. Again, thank you.

Externalizing your purpose and agency seems like a super shitty poor excuse for motivation to me.

That last apostrophe makes it weird

Okay, but successful people have earned their mistakes. Someone who hasn't made it yet have no such excuse.

We are the universe’s attempt at understanding itself.

This is complete BS.

ChatGPT for the content, into Grammarly for editing.

This is the old fashioned "if you never try, you'll never succeed" but put in the least efficient way, lol.

Most of Your text is AI/GPT Generated

I’ve been doing bjj for 20 years or so - I think my first 4 years were just tapping and being pinned looking up at the lights and counting ceiling tiles.

Part of what kept me coming back was that for some unknown reason I thought it was fun. I hated MMA. Sounds like you like it though, so problem one is solved.

I think if you set small goals it will be immensely helpful.

For me, the easiest way to do this is to start experimenting with reactions instead of trying to win. When I do “x” I try to see what my opponent will do. It can be a simple as taking a step backwards and watching what the opponent does. I then try to catalog the reaction.

After cataloging it, I try to anticipate the reaction, and see if I can make them move in that predictable way. That’s a small victory even if I get my butt beat the rest of the day. I made somebody do something, and I knew it was going to happen - endorphin rush!

Bonus: Now, when I ask a coach a question, I can say when I do “x” I notice most of my opponents do “y.” What can I do in this scenario? Now the feedback i get from my coach is immediately applicable to something that I know how to create. Feedback loop of positive things usually gets rolling from here.

You can't show up if no one tells you where to be or allows you to be there

Thanks, good luck to you too.

Strange, place to put a comma

Exactly, I also think that sometimes you will not be able to commit to something due to lack of time or some unexpected commitment, do not pressure yourself if it happens, and always be patient, I wish you the best in your Martial arts :) and your projects

Let me put it to you simply after a two year intense battle with depression, anxiety, fear, etc…all culminating in numerous panic attacks and a handful of dissociative events this last December.

1. There are far more people in the world dealing with anxiety and depression than you’d imagine, the problem is…many can’t or don’t seek help. So don’t let the idea that “everyone else has purpose and everyone else is happy” beat you further.

2. If all or most of your thoughts are negative, stop talking to yourself. Work on quieting down the voice inside, if you’re in a quiet room and it’s still “loud”…then you should benefit from finding ways to find that inner peace or quiet again or the first time. The thoughts within pretty much determine everything, ie; accepting what you can’t control and refocusing on what you can control.

3. Quiet the noise within and then go on a journey of one’s self. What does that mean? Find out what you like, find out what you don’t like. Try painting, try hiking, try video gaming, working out…whatever….dancing, etc, variety is the spice of life. Do you always go to the same restaurants and order the same thing? Do you always go to the grocery store and purchase the same foods to pack and cook?? Break the programming and tap into parts of the life experience you haven’t even considered.

You’d be surprised what a difference, just ordering a new different dish from your favorite take out place can do.

A quote I recently read that really shifted my perspective was “When you reach the mountain top, the only peace you’ll find is the peace you bring”

I wish you health and happiness and the ability to persevere and come out stronger and more resilient.

You have that ability.

Yes, discipline is important, especially when you have setbacks, then it can be good to just be able to force yourself to do something. If what you want to achieve is important enough, then the discipline becomes easier. So it's about setting good and reasonable goals with what you're doing and that can be a challenge.