I wasn't motivated to get 42k customers, it was this...

Hey wonderful peeps, it's Ren here...

Here's What's In Store This Week!

• 🤔 The Real Truth About Habits

• 💡 The Two Forces of Change

• 🌟 A Personal Tale of Transformation

• ✨ The Science Behind the Struggle

• ✅ Your Action Plan for Lasting Change

• 💭 Final Thoughts

Last week, something interesting happened…

I was reorganizing my workspace (again!) for what felt like the millionth time this month when I caught myself in one of those moments—you know, doing something that my "future self" would probably roll their eyes at.

This got me thinking about my last email, where I talked about the concept of your Future Self—visualizing the person you want to become and making decisions that align with that vision (Thanks to the awesome book I picked up)

It's a powerful idea, but the real question is: how do you actually bridge that gap between where you are now and where you want to be?

As I sat there, surrounded by half-organized papers and planning tools, I pondered some of the lessons from books I’ve read, building businesses and well, life in general really…

🤔 The Real Truth About Habits

You might have heard it before: real change happens through small, consistent actions—our habits.

…And while that's true, most people still struggle to stick with habits long-term.

Why?

Because habits alone aren't enough.

What fuels those habits is what really matters.

Think about it like trying to drive a car without gas.

You can have the most beautiful, well-maintained vehicle in the world, but without fuel, it's just a really expensive piece of modern art sitting in your driveway!

💡 The Two Forces of Change

The first and most important fuel is true desire.

When your habits are tied to something you genuinely want—whether it's financial freedom, better health, or simply more control over your life—they gain purpose.

A habit without a clear reason can feel meaningless, but a habit linked to a future goal becomes a stepping stone toward something greater.

But here's where it gets really interesting...

There's something even more powerful than desire: pain.

Did you know that avoiding pain is often a stronger motivator than chasing a positive goal?

Think about it—most lasting changes happen when staying the same becomes too painful to bear.

Whether it's the stress of being in debt, the frustration of feeling stuck, or the realization that you're living someone else's dream instead of your own, it's the need to escape that discomfort that drives true transformation.

🌟 A Personal Tale of Transformation

Let me share something personal that really drives this point home.

(Gulp, getting vulnerable here)

People often ask me how I managed to sell over 42,000 spreadsheet templates in less than 2 years.

They probably expect some fancy strategy or secret formula...

But the truth?

Behind my focus and determination wasn't just ambition—it was fear.

Fear of returning to a toxic workplace where every Monday felt like a weight on my chest. Where I’d lack sleep on a Sunday and complain to my ever-patient husband about the stresses due for the week ahead.

Where creativity went to die and micromanagement was the norm.

I can still remember sitting in that office, watching the clock tick by at a painfully slow pace, feeling my soul slowly shrinking with each passing hour.

Even as 6pm or 7pm would strike, knowing I still had 2+ hours of work left before I could go home.

The fluorescent lights, the endless meetings about meetings, the politics... it was like being trapped in a bad movie that just wouldn't end.

Whenever I felt like giving up on my business (and trust me, there were MANY of those moments), all it took was picturing myself back in that office.

That image alone was like a shot of pure motivation.

My mind would instantly shift into gear, and I'd push myself to:

• Create better products that truly served my customers

• Deliver 5-star service that made people feel heard and valued

• Keep moving forward, even when imposter syndrome kicked in (and oh boy, did it kick in often!)

I made a promise to myself: my job is to give it everything I've got and do my absolute best, so I never have to go back to that place.

That promise became my north star, guiding every decision and pushing me through every obstacle.

✨ The Science Behind the Struggle

Here's something fascinating I learned from "Atomic Habits" by James Clear (another game-changing book if you haven't read it): our brains are wired to respond more strongly to pain than pleasure. It's a survival mechanism from our cave-dwelling days, and it's still driving our behavior today.

This explains why the fear of losing $100 feels stronger than the joy of gaining $100.

Our ancient brain is still trying to keep us safe, even in our modern world of spreadsheets and online businesses!

✅ Your Action Plan for Lasting Change

If you're ready to transform your habits and build that bridge to your future self, here's where to start:

1. Map Your Motivations (5 minutes):
   

   • Write down what you want to change
     

   • List both the "pull" (what you want) AND the "push" (what you're trying to avoid)
     

   • Be brutally honest—this is just for you and the more responsibility you can take with yourself, the better your results will be
     

   • Rate each motivation on a scale of 1-10 for emotional impact…
     

2. Create Your Environment (Today):
   

   • Remove one obstacle to your desired habit
     

   • Add one thing that makes it easier - could be leaving your gym clothes out the night before for example
     

   • Make your desired behavior obvious and accessible - almost like you would have to be going out of your way to avoid it
     

   • Hide or eliminate temptations that pull you off track - goodbye chocolate biscuits!
     

3. Build Your Bridge (This Week):
   

   • Choose ONE tiny habit that moves you toward your goal - don’t overthink it. Just ONE thing!
     

   • Link it to something you already do daily (habit stacking)
     

   • Track it somewhere visible so you’re reminded of your progress
     

   • Celebrate small wins (yes, even the tiny ones!)
     

4. Maintain Momentum (Ongoing):
   

   • Review your progress weekly and see where you can tweak
     

   • Adjust your approach based on what's working
     

   • Keep your "pain points" visible when motivation dips - once you push past motivation, it becomes a habit
     

   • Share your journey with someone who supports you

Check out our undated planners on Amazon here to support your journey

💭 Final Thoughts

The key to building habits that last is combining both forces: the desire for something better and the pain of staying the same.

Together, they create the ultimate fuel for consistency.

So take a moment today to reflect: What's the pain you want to leave behind?

What's the life you want to create?

Once you connect your habits to both, you'll find it easier to stay on track—even when motivation fades.

This year, don't just focus on creating habits—focus on what fuels them.

Desire gives your habits direction, and pain gives them urgency.

Together, they can help you build the life you truly want.

Here's to turning pain into lasting transformation!

Chat soon,

Ren