Growth Is a Decision — Not a Feeling (Part Two)

 Growth Is a Decision — Not a Feeling (Part Two)

Becoming the Person You Keep Promising Yourself You’ll Be

Last time, we talked about something most people avoid: growth is uncomfortable. It stretches you, exposes you, and forces you to confront parts of yourself you’d rather ignore.

But here’s the next truth most people never realize:

Growth isn’t something that happens to you. It’s something you decide. Every single day.

You don’t rise to your goals. You fall to your habits.

People love setting goals, but goals alone don’t change your life. Habits do. Because what you practice daily becomes who you are.

If you practice excuses, you get average results. If you practice discipline, you get uncommon results. Your routine is your real future.

Stop asking, “What do I want?” Start asking, “Who do I need to become?”

Success isn’t about getting more. It’s about becoming more disciplined, focused, resilient, and accountable. You can’t build a better life with the same old mindset.

Motivation is unreliable. Some days you’ll feel inspired. Other days you won’t. If you rely on feelings, you’ll only work when it’s convenient — and convenience never built anything great.

Committed people show up anyway. They write when they don’t feel creative. They train when they’re tired. They do the work when others are scrolling.

Confidence doesn’t come from hype. It comes from proof.

You build that proof by keeping small promises to yourself. Wake up when you say you will. Finish what you start. Do the workout. Write the page. Make the call.

Every time you follow through, you build trust with yourself.

There’s no neutral in life. You’re either growing or coasting. Either improving or drifting.

Comfort may feel safe, but it keeps you stuck. Progress requires intention.

So decide who you’re becoming.

Choose discipline. Choose responsibility. Choose effort. Choose progress over excuses.

Nobody is coming to save you. But you don’t need saving. You need a decision — and the courage to follow through.

Growth isn’t a feeling.

It’s a choice you make daily.

Books by — Carl Mathis

Growth Isn’t Comfortable — And That’s the Point

 

Most people say they want to grow

They want more confidence. More money. Better habits. A stronger mindset. A better life.

But here’s the truth nobody talks about:

Growth doesn’t feel good at first.

It feels awkward. It feels uncertain. It feels like failing… a lot.

And that’s exactly why most people quit before they ever change.

Comfort Is the Enemy of Progress

We love comfort. Sleeping in. Staying quiet. Avoiding risks. Doing what we’ve always done.

Comfort feels safe. But comfort is also where dreams go to die.

Nothing grows inside a comfort zone. Not muscles. Not confidence. Not character.

Growth only shows up when you stretch yourself past what’s easy. When you do the thing you don’t feel ready for. When you show up tired but still work. When you try again after failing publicly.

That’s where the real transformation happens.

The Hard Seasons Build You

Every person you admire has gone through a season that almost broke them. The late nights. The self-doubt. The setbacks. The moments where quitting felt easier than continuing.

But those hard seasons weren’t punishments. They were preparation.

Because struggle does something comfort never can. It builds strength.

You don’t develop discipline when life is easy. You develop it when you don’t feel like going — but go anyway.

Pressure creates diamonds.

Stop Waiting to Feel Ready

One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is: “I’ll start when I feel ready.”

You’ll never feel ready.

Confidence doesn’t come first. Action does. Courage doesn’t come first. Movement does. Growth doesn’t come after comfort. It comes after discomfort.

You become ready by doing.

Small Wins Change Everything

Personal growth isn’t about giant breakthroughs. It’s about small daily victories.

Waking up earlier. Reading a few pages. Working out when you’d rather scroll. Choosing discipline over excuses.

Tiny actions repeated daily turn into massive results over time.

Consistency beats motivation every time.

The Person You Want to Be Is Built Daily

You don’t arrive at a better life. You build it.

Day by day. Choice by choice. Habit by habit.

Every decision either moves you closer to growth or back to comfort.

Choose the harder path sometimes. Choose the uncomfortable conversation. Choose the extra effort. Choose disciplined action.

Because growth isn’t supposed to feel easy.

It’s supposed to change you.

And change is rarely comfortable.

But it’s always worth it.

— Carl Mathis

Carl's Books.

Why Most People Don't Fail — They Quit Too Soon

By Carl Mathis

Success isn’t as mysterious as people make it.

It’s not luck.

It’s not talent.

It’s not being in the right place at the right time.

Most of the time, success simply comes down to one thing:

Who stayed in the game the longest.

Not who started the smartest.

Not who had the most resources.

Not who felt the most motivated.

Just who refused to quit.

And that’s where most people lose.

The Motivation Myth

We’ve been sold the idea that successful people wake up inspired every day.

They don’t.

Some days they’re tired.

Some days they’re frustrated.

Some days they doubt themselves just like everyone else.

The difference?

They show up anyway.

Motivation is emotional.

Discipline is a decision.

Motivation says, “I’ll do it when I feel ready.”

Discipline says, “I’m doing it because I said I would.”

Winners rely on discipline.

Progress Is Boring (At First)

Here’s something nobody talks about:

Growth is usually invisible.

Going to the gym for a week doesn’t change your body.

Writing for a month doesn’t make you an author.

Saving money for a few days doesn’t make you wealthy.

So people assume it’s not working.

They stop.

But real progress compounds quietly.

It’s like planting seeds.

For a while, nothing happens.

Then one day — everything blooms.

The people who win are the ones who kept watering the ground when nothing was

showing yet.

Small Actions Change Your Life

You don’t need a huge breakthrough.

You don’t need a perfect plan.

You don’t need some dramatic life overhaul.

You need small, consistent actions.

Read 10 pages a day.

Write 500 words a day.

Walk 20 minutes a day.

Improve 1% a day.

It sounds small.

But 1% better every day for a year?

That’s not small.

That’s transformation.

Stop Waiting to Feel Ready

Most people are waiting.

Waiting for confidence.

Waiting for clarity.

Waiting for the perfect time.

But confidence doesn’t come before action.

It comes because of action.

You don’t think your way into winning.

You work your way into winning.

Start messy.

Start scared.

Start unsure.

Just start.

The Truth About Winners

After studying high performers, entrepreneurs, athletes, and leaders, I’ve noticed

something simple:

They aren’t superhuman.

They’re just stubborn.

They don’t quit when it gets uncomfortable.

They don’t quit when it gets slow.

They don’t quit when nobody is watching.

They keep going.

And eventually, that persistence separates them from everyone else.

Final Thought

If you feel behind right now…

If progress feels slow…

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth it…

Keep going.

Because most people don’t fail.

They quit too soon.

Don’t be most people.

Be the one who stays.

About the Author

Carl Mathis is a mindset and personal development author focused on discipline,

confidence, and daily growth. Through his writing and books like Think Like a Winner,

he helps people build stronger habits, sharper thinking, and the resilience needed to

succeed in life and business.

Amazon     Audio  Draft2Digital  Apple Kobo and anywhere books aree sold.

                        MORE BOOKS BY CARLMATHIS

Guard Your Heart:

 

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."   (Proverbs 4:23)

The heart, in biblical terms, often refers not just to our emotions, but our thoughts, will, and innermost being. This #proverb is a poignant reminder of the importance of guarding it. Just as the body's health can be determined by the state of the heart, the spiritual and #emotional health of our lives can be gauged by the condition of our inner heart.

When our hearts are filled with #God's love, grace, and truth, our actions and words will naturally reflect His light. But if we allow bitterness, envy, or negativity to take root, it can influence every aspect of our lives. Guarding our heart is not about building walls, but nurturing it with God's Word, surrounding ourselves with godly influences, and constantly checking our #emotions and motives in the light of His truth.  The Mind of a Winner:                                      Available in all format.          Amazon:   Smashwords:         Amazon:  Smashwords  Barnes&Noble                                         Audio:    Carlmathisbooks.com     Read the first chapter:

"COURAGE"

 “Be strong and courageous…”  (Joshua 1:6)

During these trying days, we remember the popular saying, “Not all heroes wear capes.”  These words resonate with us because we understand that the ability to show courage extends far beyond superhero characters.  Experience teaches us that we all can show courage in our day to day lives.  Courage, like other virtues, is not always demonstrated with big, dramatic actions.  Instead, it is demonstrated in small words and deeds, such as when we speak up for those without a voice or extend a helping hand to those who are in very difficult situations.  Because courage looks to help others, it is a very important virtue, especially today.  Indeed, as poet Maya Angelou has said, “Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” 

                      

  The Mind of a Winner:                                    The Purpose Challenge:

    Available in all format.       Available in all format.

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Whoever lives by believing in me (Jesus said) will never die. Do you believe this?

 

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?'" (John 11:25-26) "In the face of death and mourning, Jesus offered hope and assurance. Through Him, death is not the end but a doorway to eternal life. His question at the end is poignant and personal: "Do you believe this?" It calls us to introspection, to reaffirm our faith, and to rest in the promise of eternal life with Him. For every heart heavy with grief or fear, these words serve as a beacon, reminding us that in Jesus, we are promised a life that death cannot diminish".            The Mind of a Winner:                                    The Purpose Challenge:     Available in all format.       Available in all format.     Amazon:   Smashwords:          Amazon:  Smashwords     Barnes&Noble                                   Audio:        Carlmathisbooks.com        Read the first chapter:

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 “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters.” (Psalm 23:2)

In its own vivid way, the beautiful image of this verse calls us away from the chaos and crises of our world to a place of calmness and serenity. “Still waters,” however, is not talking about a far-fetched escapism, or an indifferent passivity to our world and a benign neglect of its problems. Instead, it is the stillness of a heaven-sent peace, knowing that the Good Shepherd walks with us through the all of life’s difficulties, protecting and caring for us. As you care for others, do not overlook yourself; be sure to take time to refresh your spirit. May our hearts be filled with this “peace which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), today and every day.

The Mind of a Winner:

Available in all format.

Amazon:   Smashwords: 

Barnes&Noble

Carlmathisbooks.com 

Read the first chapter:

Available in all format.

The Purpose challenge.

Amazon:  Smashwords