Tony Robbins 10-day mental challenge - March 6

I first came across Tony Robbins last year in a podcast episode that has since become one of my all-time favourites. I was at initially intrigued by his zeal and energy, and was amazed how his exuberance could be palpable even through an audio recording. I then realized this man was driven by strong personal beliefs, and managed his thoughts and habits in such a way that he led a successful life consistent with his values. I found myself agreeing to everything he expounded, and it led me to ask how I could achieve this quality of life myself.

Last November, I picked up his bestseller Awaken the Giant Within, and I am convinced that it is the Bible of self-help books. The book is a treasure trove of applicable life advice that has dramatically changed the way I perceive and think about my everyday experiences. I have spent so much time rereading sections and taking notes that after 4 months of consistent reading, I am still barely halfway through.

Robbins’ main argument is that we can all achieve tremendous things if we are willing to work to change our beliefs and our habits, and to take responsibility for improving the quality of our lives. The most challenging part of this change is to recalibrate our mental state so that we have absolute confidence in our decisions and actions to achieve our goals. This means we must cull our negative thoughts and disempowering beliefs.

I have decided to undertake the book’s 10-day mental challenge to avoid unnecessary dwelling on unproductive thoughts for more than one minute. If I fail at any point during the challenge, the 10-day countdown will restart. Robbins suggests a wide range of mental tools to use to complete this challenge and I believe the most powerful tip is to ask myself the right questions when the challenging times inevitably come. By asking “What about this situation is not perfect yet” and “How can I fix this problem”, I will focus on solutions rather than transfixing myself on the issue itself. I have been stellar in applying this advice today and I look forward to reinforcing this mental habit in the 9 days to come.