You can watch this epsiode on YouTube here.
I often struggle with an inner voice—my perfectionist or, as psychology calls it, "unrelenting standards." This voice stems from a fear of not being good enough. It pushes me towards impossible expectations, tricking me into thinking that achieving them will bring more love or success. I’ve named this voice Gertrude, and sometimes she takes over, as she did with my decision to do a water fast. I started to ask myself, where else has Gertrude led me?
The truth is, she influences a lot of areas in my life. One example is my podcast. I believe art is an expression of the soul—a channel for source energy. For me, creating art is an act of love, inspiration flowing from the heart. But when fear creeps in, I start worrying about making money, about how my art will be received, and I lose sight of the joy in the process. This happened with my clothing brand, MEW Clothing, and I’ve noticed it starting to happen with my podcast.
Originally, I wanted to release six episodes together, as they felt like chapters of one story. But logic told me to space them out for better growth. However, my heart said to release them together, allowing listeners to experience the full journey. This tension between discipline and inspiration has been a recurring theme in my life.
A podcast I listened to, Modern Wisdom, featured psychologist Dr. Benjamin Hardy, co-author of The Gap and The Gain. It highlighted how ambitious people often focus on the gap between where they are and their next goal, rather than celebrating their progress. This resonated with me, as I’ve always felt like I’m at the base of a mountain, never satisfied with my achievements. The solution is to focus on what you’ve gained, appreciating the journey rather than chasing an ever-moving horizon.
Dr. Robert Vallerand's research on obsessive vs. harmonious passion, which I discovered through JoyLab Podcast, also made an impact. Harmonious passions drive motivation and well-being, while obsessive passions can lead to burnout. I’ve learned that discipline, though crucial, should serve inspiration, not control it.
Discipline is essential for achieving dreams—it’s what pushes us to grow and endure uncomfortable situations. I believe discipline equals freedom, as it unlocks more of life’s experiences. But, as the saying goes, "The mind makes an excellent servant but a terrible master." Like the mind, discipline should take instructions from the soul or heart. Inspiration should guide us, with discipline supporting the journey.
In my next episode, I’ll explore how to follow that inner guidance, as inspired by Martha Beck’s book Following Your North Star. How do we hear our calling and find our purpose? That’s what I’m excited to dive into next.
Resources
Transcript
.txt file
Books
The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success’ by Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan.
Podcasts
Modern Wisdom | #397 - Dr Benjamin Hardy - A High Achievers' Guide to Happiness
Joy Lab Podcast | 43. Harmonious vs. Obsessive Passions
The Hubberman Lab Podcast | David Goggins: How to Build Immense Inner Strength
Quotes
"Discipline = Fruition" -mew
Other
Dr. Robert Vallerand's work.