Today, I Surpass the Self I Was Yesterday

The following Japanese popped into my head yesterday when I was taking my walk.

Walking is part of my effort to "Get a Little Better Every Day."

今日は昨日の我に勝つ (Kyō wa kinō no ware ni katsu).

“Today, I surpass the self I was yesterday.

I've been on a Japanese kick over the last few weeks.

Probably because my wife and kids are visiting friends and family in Japan for the month.

All the videos and Instagram posts they are sending are taking me down memory lane about my time in Japan.

Set a Daily Standard to Get Better Than Yesterday.

I have a key theme in my posts and newsletters about "Getting A Little Better Every Day."

I have written a book on this topic.

I have coffee mugs, t-shirts, and notebooks at my The Day Warrior Store that also highlight this theme.

The concept of "Getting Better Every Day" may sound simple, but it is one of the most profound principles of personal growth and the foundation of The Day Warrior philosophy.

The actual battle is not against the world.

It’s not against your competitors.

It's not against the toxic people in your life.

It's not against the politicians and crazy stuff you see on the news.

It's not against your critics, and not even against time.

The real battle is against yourself.

The real battle is against who you were yesterday.

Every day, you should be asking yourself the following questions:

Did I grow stronger?

Did I keep my word?

Did I face my fears?

Did I face failure with grace?

Did I show up with discipline and purpose?

Did I hold to my values?

If you can answer yes—even slightly—then you are winning.

That’s the path.

That’s the goal.

That’s the mindset.

Progress is Measured by Inches, Not Miles

Our environment and social media teach us that success is easily attainable.

All you have to do is:

Take a pill.

Read a book.

Watch a video.

Attend a Seminar.

Easy right?

Real growth doesn’t come from hacks, shortcuts, or one-time efforts.

It comes from showing up—consistently—even when results aren’t immediate.

We often overestimate what we can do in a day (the quick win), and underestimate what we can accomplish in a year—through steady, deliberate action.

Most people chase big wins, perfect outcomes, or sudden breakthroughs.

They fail to realize: excellence lives in repetition.

• One more rep.

• One more page read.

• One more hard conversation.

• One more early wake-up.

• One more healthy choice.

On this journey of getting a little better every day, do not lose sight of the fact that your goal is not to become someone else overnight.

You have the simple goal to be a better version of the person you were yesterday.

That’s the compound effect.

That’s what changes lives.

Anyone can say they value growth, integrity, or leadership—but discipline is the proof.

• If you value health, you show up to train, even when you’re tired.

• If you value family, you carve out time, even on your busiest days.

• If you value growth, you read, reflect, and stretch beyond your comfort zone.

Each small action you take today builds the foundation of your future.

Discipline and self-improvement are not tasks.

Discipline and self-improvement are daily reflections of your values in action.

That’s why progress is measured by inches, not miles.

Take the Mirror Test

What is the mirror test?

At the end of each day, there’s a simple but powerful question:

Would the man I was yesterday be proud of the man I am today?

This is your mirror test.

A self-check grounded in truth—not comparison, not perfection.

Remember, not every day can be a win.

Sometimes you lose.

But even in loss, there is something to be gained.

You don’t need to be the best.

You don’t need to be famous.

You don’t need to impress the world.

You don't need to have people like you.

You need to be honest with yourself.

Always ask yourself these questions:

• Did I keep my promises?

• Did I push when it was hard?

• Did I choose discipline over comfort?

• Did I lead with values over convenience?

This mindset keeps your focus where it belongs: on personal mastery.

This may sound easy, but holding ourselves accountable can be challenging.

Here are a few hints:

We started by asking the right questions.

Those are listed above.

That is step number one.

The questions themselves can cut through the chaos and bring some clarity.

Next, it is a good idea to track your commitments.

Write it down.

Not to show off, but to track and measure consistency.

Keep a journal.

Track your habits.

Record your wins.

Record your losses.

Most important of all, record what you learned.

What gets measured gets improved.

Another critical hint to success is to own your lapses.

Good old-fashioned accountability.

If you fail, don’t hide it.

Don’t shift the blame.

Don’t justify.

Instead, say to yourself, “I didn’t follow through. That’s on me. I’ll do better tomorrow.”

This honesty builds self-respect and internal strength.

Remember, you’re not chasing someone else’s timeline.

You are not chasing other people's growth; you are chasing your growth.

Keep your focus on where it belongs: on personal mastery.

When You Fail, Fail Forward

Embrace failure. Please do not run from it.

The journey you are on is not about never failing.

It is about getting a little better every day.

When you fail, embrace it, learn from it.

When you fail, don't stay down.

We all have bad days.

We all have days when we slip.

Last night I overate for dinner.

I broke my 5-day streak of good eating habits and intermittent fasting.

I screwed up. Instead of running from that mistake and giving up, I challenged myself to get back on track today.

Helpful hint: Try not to fail two days in a row. One slip isn’t the problem—two or three in a row is.

That’s when a stumble turns into a slippery slope.

• One day off is human. It’s recovery, reflection, or just a bad day.

• Two days off start a pattern.

• Three days off become a habit—and not the kind you want.

The Day Warrior Rule: Never miss twice.

• If you skip the gym on Monday, go on Tuesday—no matter what.

• If you sleep in, win the rest of the day.

• If you fail to journal today, return to writing tomorrow.

Momentum works both ways.

Discipline builds momentum forward.

Inconsistency builds momentum backward.

Consistency is the cure for failure.

The gap between where you are and where you want to be is filled with discipline, reflection, and repetition.

You can’t build your legacy in a day.

But you can take a small step and "Get a Little Better Every Day."

Start today.

Not tomorrow.

Challenge Yourself

Your mission is to "Get a Little Better Every Day."

Each morning, ask yourself:

What can I do today to beat the man I was yesterday?

Each night, answer honestly:

Did I grow? Did I lead? Did I improve?

This battle is yours.

Not one of destruction, but one of transformation.

Every time you choose effort over ease, growth over stagnation, you win.

I will end this newsletter with a few additional Japanese proverbs that reinforce today's theme:

"七転び八起き" (Nanakorobi yaoki): Fall down seven times, stand up eight. This highlights resilience, suggesting that each "fall" is a chance to rise stronger than before.

"石の上にも三年" (Ishi no ue ni mo sannen): Even a cold stone warms if you sit on it for three years. Patience and persistence yield results over time.

"努力は裏切らない" (Doryoku wa uragiranai): Effort never betrays you. From anime like Naruto, it underscores that consistent work leads to rewards.

Make this your code:

Today, surpass the self you were yesterday.

Tomorrow, do it again.

Stay disciplined.

Stay focused.

Get a little better—every single day.

The Day Warrior

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