People often seek external validation, but true motivation comes from within, through unseen work and personal accountability.

I wanted to become a Navy SEAL to be pushed outside my comfort zone every day, believing it was the best platform for personal growth.

It's often more valuable to undertake challenges for personal reasons rather than for external validation, as this can lead to deeper personal insights and growth.

I had to learn so much in six months to prepare for the Navy SEALs, which really developed my work ethic.

The inner work is crucial; even after achieving success, I found that external validation doesn't fill the void inside.

The subjective reward should be focused on the hardest parts of a process, reinforcing positive behavior during tough conversations or challenges, while the process of learning and adapting involves creating neural pathways that become more efficient over time, allowing you to handle challenges with ease.

The process of self-rewarding for small milestones can provide the energy and focus needed to pursue larger goals, creating a cycle of motivation and achievement.

Self-esteem is earned through overcoming difficult challenges, not just through external praise or validation.

The unseen work is what motivates me; I don't need external validation because I know what I've accomplished on my own.