Podcasts > The Game w/ Alex Hormozi > Brutally Honest Advice For Hard Days | Ep 905

Brutally Honest Advice For Hard Days | Ep 905

By Alex Hormozi

In this episode of The Game, Alex Hormozi addresses the reality of difficult days and shares practical approaches for managing life's challenges. He introduces his "Good Day Formula" and explains how finding purpose in adversity can make challenges more bearable. The discussion covers the relationship between discomfort and achievement, suggesting that the willingness to endure difficulties can create competitive advantages.

Hormozi explores methods for building emotional resilience and maintaining steady progress toward goals, even during setbacks. He presents two perspective-gaining techniques—the "grandfather frame" and "Solomon frame"—for making better decisions, while explaining how gratitude practices and proper handling of negative events can help maintain mental equilibrium. The episode provides frameworks for converting past hardships into future strengths and keeping difficulties contained rather than letting them affect multiple areas of life.

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Brutally Honest Advice For Hard Days | Ep 905

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Brutally Honest Advice For Hard Days | Ep 905

1-Page Summary

Reframing Adversity and Maintaining a Positive Mindset

Alex Hormozi explores strategies for managing life's challenges and growing through adversity. He emphasizes that difficult days are statistically inevitable and sometimes just maintaining ground is a victory. Drawing from Viktor Frankl's philosophy, Hormozi suggests that finding purpose in challenges makes them more bearable.

The "Good Day Formula" and Goal Pursuit

Hormozi shares his personal "Good Day Formula," which includes eating and exercising with people he enjoys and writing something valuable. He stresses the importance of not rushing these activities to maximize their benefits. When pursuing ambitious goals, Hormozi explains that discomfort is often the price of achievement, and the willingness to endure this discomfort can set you apart from others.

Developing Emotional Resilience

According to Hormozi, past hardships can become a competitive advantage. He notes that surviving previous challenges proves your resilience and builds courage, patience, and wisdom for future obstacles. Hormozi emphasizes that commitment to goals should remain steady even during setbacks, and it's crucial to prevent negative events from snowballing into other areas of life.

Seeking Wisdom Through Self-Reflection

Hormozi introduces two powerful perspective-gaining techniques: the "grandfather frame" and the "Solomon frame." These involve consulting your imagined 85-year-old self for wisdom and objective decision-making. He also suggests practicing gratitude through worst-case scenario visualization, explaining that imagining severe difficulties can enhance appreciation for current circumstances. Hormozi emphasizes the importance of isolating negative events and maintaining resilience by quickly returning to baseline after setbacks.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While finding purpose in challenges can be beneficial, it's important to acknowledge that not all individuals may have the capacity or resources to find meaning in their adversity, and this approach may not be suitable for everyone.
  • The "Good Day Formula" is subjective and what constitutes a good day can vary greatly from person to person; what works for Hormozi may not work for others.
  • The idea of not rushing through activities to maximize benefits assumes that individuals have control over their time and responsibilities, which may not be the case for everyone, especially those with demanding jobs or caregiving responsibilities.
  • The notion that discomfort is the price of achievement might inadvertently glorify overworking or suffering, which can be harmful and counterproductive in the long run.
  • The concept that past hardships can become a competitive advantage may not resonate with everyone, especially those who have experienced trauma or whose challenges have resulted in long-term negative consequences.
  • The advice to maintain steady commitment to goals during setbacks doesn't account for the fact that sometimes goals need to be re-evaluated or changed in response to new information or circumstances.
  • The techniques of the "grandfather frame" and the "Solomon frame" may not be effective for everyone, as some individuals may struggle with imaginative exercises or may not find them helpful.
  • Worst-case scenario visualization as a gratitude practice could potentially lead to increased anxiety for some individuals, particularly those prone to rumination or catastrophic thinking.
  • The recommendation to isolate negative events and quickly return to baseline after setbacks may not acknowledge the complexity of emotional processing and the time it can take to recover from certain events.

Actionables

  • You can create a "Challenge Journal" to document and reflect on daily difficulties, noting how you navigated them and what you learned. This practice encourages you to see challenges as growth opportunities and to recognize patterns in your resilience. For example, after a tough workday, write down the challenge, your response, and any positive outcomes or lessons learned, which can serve as a reminder of your ability to overcome adversity.
  • Develop a "Discomfort Scale" to gauge your tolerance for discomfort in various situations and track your progress over time. Start by rating your discomfort on a scale from 1 to 10 in situations that push you out of your comfort zone, and note the actions you took to persevere. Over time, you may notice an increased tolerance for discomfort, which can motivate you to tackle more ambitious goals.
  • Implement a "Gratitude Alarm" where you set daily reminders to pause and visualize a worst-case scenario, followed by a reflection on your current blessings. For instance, set an alarm for a quiet moment in your day, visualize a scenario where you've lost a valuable aspect of your life, and then take a few minutes to appreciate that it's not your reality, reinforcing your gratitude for the present.

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Brutally Honest Advice For Hard Days | Ep 905

Reframing Adversity and Maintaining a Positive Mindset

Alex Hormozi provides insights on how to cope with and grow from the trials we face in life, embracing the inevitability of tough days, the art of reframing difficulties, and the rewards of pursuing ambitious goals.

Stay Positive Even When Life Is Hard

Accept That Difficult Days Are Normal

Alex Hormozi explains that experiencing bad days is a statistical certainty and a natural part of the variability of life. He acknowledges that difficult seasons are an inevitable aspect of existence, advising, "sometimes you have to give yourself a little bit of grace because in some seasons of life, maintaining is winning, just not losing ground is the W."

Find Purpose By Reframing Challenges With New Perspectives

Hormozi emphasizes the power of reframing reality, borrowing from Viktor Frankl's philosophy that finding a "why" can help one endure any "how." Challenges should be seen as milestones in one's personal story or pivotal moments that eventually give a positive twist to one’s life.

Utilitarian Approach to Overlook Non-fundamental Losses

Hormozi reframes a significant financial setback as a constructive chapter in his life, stating, "We’re willing to endure and take actions that other people aren’t willing to take," suggesting that persistence in the face of hardship sets one apart from the crowd.

"Good Day Formula" for Mood and Focus

Plan Your Day With Uplifting Activities

According to Hormozi, one's daily routine should include strategies for ensuring positivity and forward momentum. His "Good Day Formula" is written on his wall and consists of three main activities: eating with people he likes, lifting with people he likes, and writing something he deems valuable.

Avoid Feeling Rushed, as This Can Undermine Routine Benefits

Hormozi stresses the importance of not rushing these activities, as feeling hurried can reduce the overall benefits of these routines, urging people to allow themselves flexible schedules for such beneficial tasks to enhance the experience and prevent giving up other crucial parts of life.

Embrace the Challenge Of Pursuing Ambitious Goals

Great Accomplishments Require Enduring Pain and Discomfort

Hormozi shares his own experience of enduring uncomfortable living conditions while starting his gym, highlighting that meaningful goals often require enduring pain and discomfort, ...

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Reframing Adversity and Maintaining a Positive Mindset

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Counterarguments

  • While maintaining a positive mindset is beneficial, it's important to acknowledge that some individuals may have mental health conditions that make it more challenging to stay positive during difficult times, and they may require professional support.
  • The idea that "sometimes maintaining is winning" might not resonate with everyone, especially those who feel societal pressure to constantly achieve and progress.
  • Reframing challenges can be helpful, but it's also important to recognize and address the root causes of adversity, rather than just changing one's perspective on them.
  • The notion that financial setbacks can be constructive may not take into account the severe stress and long-term consequences they can have on individuals and families, especially those without a safety net.
  • Persistence is often a virtue, but there are situations where it might be more prudent to change course or reassess one's goals.
  • The "Good Day Formula" may not be universally applicable, as people have different sources of joy and fulfillment, and what works for one person may not work for another.
  • The idea that enduring pain and discomfort is necessary for great accomplishments might inadvertently glorify suffering and overlook the importance of self-care and balance.
  • The statemen ...

Actionables

  • Create a 'Challenge Journal' to document and reflect on daily setbacks, noting how you navigated them and what you learned. This practice turns adversities into documented experiences that you can revisit to see your growth over time and to remind yourself that you've overcome past difficulties, which can boost your confidence in tackling current challenges.
  • Establish a 'Victory Routine' by starting your day with a small, manageable task that you can consistently accomplish, like making your bed or a five-minute meditation. This sets a tone of achievement early on, reinforcing the idea that maintaining daily habits contributes to long-term success and helps build resilience against the inevitable tough days.
  • Integrate 'Micro-Adventures' into your weekly schedule ...

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Brutally Honest Advice For Hard Days | Ep 905

Developing Emotional Resilience and Using Hardship As Advantage

Alex Hormozi shares insights into how personal hardships and adversities can be harnessed to develop emotional resilience and become a competitive advantage in life and business.

Recognize Hardship Reveals True Character and Capabilities

Hormozi reflects on handling difficult situations, like facing a large bill, by reframing it post-event to reveal and affirm personal resilience. He acknowledges that every tough experience and loss in life can teach valuable skills that foster resilience and self-confidence. Alex Hormozi talks about losing everything twice in his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing that you never start from scratch again after the first loss because you start with experience, which makes one resilient and less influenced by the opinions of others. He speaks about how hardships reveal who you truly are, thereby allowing you to see your true character and capabilities.

Adversity Proves Your Resilience, Boosting Confidence

Hormozi states that the simple fact that you're alive is proof that you can endure the challenges you've faced, and your life serves as evidence of your ability to handle everything that has come your way. This resilience in the face of adversity fosters a boosted sense of self-confidence.

Hardship Builds Courage, Patience, and Wisdom for Future Challenges

Hormozi emphasizes the idea that enduring hard times provides not only proof of one's ability to handle adversity but also instills a sense of courage, patience, and wisdom. He discusses that actions towards success should not be impacted by current emotions or feelings. Persisting on the path to success, despite any negative feelings, indicates that facing challenges builds attributes like courage, patience, and wisdom essential for future challenges.

Leverage Your Past Struggles to Outperform Your Competitors

Hormozi underscores how enduring hardship is not only a testament to one's capabilities but also a path to outperforming competitors. He explains that the more memories you have of hardships that you've been through, the more resilient you become. Hormozi highlights that being undisturbed by things that would typically interrupt others can become your competitive advantage.

Greater Achievement Through Endured Hardship Compared To Unwillingness to Sacrifice

Enduring hardships allows individuals to achieve more significant feats compared to those who are unwilling to make sacrifices. Hormozi indicates that this journey through adversity ultimately builds emotional resilience.

Overcoming Challenges Builds More Emotional Resilience Than Avoiding Adversity

He underlines that overcoming challenges builds more emotional resilience than avoiding adversity altogether. The process of experiencing pain and adversity, and knowing that it is for a purpose, makes it less painful and contributes to personal growth.

Maintai ...

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Developing Emotional Resilience and Using Hardship As Advantage

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While hardships can reveal character, they can also unfairly disadvantage some individuals, and character is not solely defined by adversity.
  • Tough experiences may foster resilience, but they can also lead to trauma and mental health issues without proper support.
  • Entrepreneurial failure can teach resilience, but it can also perpetuate cycles of debt and stress that hinder future success.
  • Adversity may prove resilience in some, but it can also erode self-confidence in others, depending on the individual's support system and personal circumstances.
  • The development of courage, patience, and wisdom through hardship is not guaranteed and can vary widely between individuals.
  • Persistence in the face of negative feelings is commendable, but it is also important to recognize when to pivot or change strategies.
  • The idea that enduring hardship is a path to outperforming competitors can oversimplify complex business dynamics and undervalue other strategies for success.
  • Memories of past hardships can increase resilience, but they can also contribute to anxiety and fear of future challenges.
  • Being undisturbed by challenges can be an advantage, but emotional responses to challenges can also drive innovation and empathy.
  • Greater achievements through endured hardship may not account for the role of privilege and access to resources in success.
  • Overcoming challenges can build emotional resilience, but avoiding unnecessary adversity can also be a sign of wisdom and strategic thinking.
  • Experiencing pain and adversity for personal growth can sometimes romanticize suffering and overlook the benefits of stability and security.
  • Commitment to goals is important, but flexibility and adaptability can also be crucia ...

Actionables

  • You can track your resilience growth by keeping a "challenge journal" where you document daily difficulties and your responses to them. This practice helps you become more aware of your reactions to adversity and encourages you to reflect on how you can handle similar situations better in the future. For example, if you faced a tough conversation at work, write down how it made you feel, what you did to address the situation, and what you learned from it.
  • Develop a "resilience roadmap" by setting small, intentional challenges for yourself in areas where you want to grow. This could be as simple as initiating a difficult conversation you've been avoiding or committing to a new fitness routine that pushes your limits. The key is to gradually increase the difficulty over time, which helps build your confidence and ability to handle larger setbacks.
  • Create a "setback simulation" exercise where you imagine a c ...

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Brutally Honest Advice For Hard Days | Ep 905

Seeking Wisdom and Perspective Through Self-Reflection

Alex Hormozi introduces techniques related to self-reflection that allow a person to gain wisdom, a rational long-term perspective, and a sense of gratitude.

Consult "Future Self" For Advice on Difficult Situations

Imagine Your Perspective at 85 to Make Wiser Decisions Now

Hormozi discusses the "grandfather frame,” which involves picturing oneself waking up at a healthy current age after imagining being 85 with health and memory issues. This perspective can greatly enhance gratitude and decision-making.

Exercise to Gain Rational, Long-Term Perspective

He also speaks of the "Solomon frame," a technique that includes mentally consulting advice from one’s 85-year-old self to gain objectivity and make wiser decisions. Hormozi explains that visualizing one’s future self allows more objective consideration of current situations by removing emotional bias. This method, he notes, helps make better decisions by permitting self-dialogue without the risk of biasing information provided to others.

Cultivate Gratitude Through Worst-Case Scenario Visualization

Imagining Decline Can Foster Gratitude for Present Health

Hormozi suggests that gratitude arises from picturing a terrible scenario and then realizing it hasn't occurred. Imagining having a severe illness like cancer and then understanding one is healthy can strengthen one's appreciation for their present health. This concept is reinforced by a personal anecdote in which Hormozi mistakenly believed his partner Layla had cancer. When he found out she was healthy, it led to a profound sense of gratitude for the current situation.

Appreciate Now By Focusing On Future Losses

He reasons that it's absurd to avoid doing something out of fear of future loss, given that everything will ultimately be lost. This encourages present appreciation. Even if everything is lost, the work done and the experiences had, including failures and hardships, are eternal because they change one.

Avoid Letting a Setback Snowball Into Problems

Acknowledge That "Bad Things" Don't Come In Threes; Reactions Can Cascade Negative Consequences

Hormozi urges listeners to isolate a negative event to prevent further repercussions. He disagrees with the notion that "bad things come in threes," suggesting instead that it is a person’s inability to cope that turns one bad event into many. He ...

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Seeking Wisdom and Perspective Through Self-Reflection

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • Imagining oneself at 85 may not always lead to wiser decisions, as it assumes that age brings wisdom, which is not always the case.
  • Long-term perspective is valuable, but it can sometimes lead to inaction or excessive caution if one overemphasizes potential future risks.
  • Worst-case scenario visualization might not cultivate gratitude for everyone; for some, it could induce anxiety or fear.
  • Focusing on future losses to appreciate the present might not be effective for individuals who struggle with anxiety or have a pessimistic outlook.
  • The idea that "bad things don't come in threes" is a superstition, but recognizing patterns in bad events can sometimes help identify underlying issues that need addressing.
  • Toughness and resilience ...

Actionables

  • Create a "Future Me" journal where you write letters to your 85-year-old self, detailing the decisions you're facing and the wisdom you hope to have by then. This can help you visualize the long-term impact of your choices and encourage you to think more deeply about the consequences of your actions.
  • Start a "Gratitude Reversal" practice where you list things you're grateful for, then imagine losing them, and finally, write down how you'd cope or find new appreciation. This exercise can deepen your sense of gratitude for your current circumstances and enhance your resilience in the face of potential loss.
  • Develop a "Comment Conversion" h ...

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