It’s Just a Joke” — The Words That Block Your Progress

It’s Just a Joke” — The Words That Block Your Progress

I see it every day.

Clients who are making real progress — showing up, lifting more, building discipline — and then they undo the entire emotional payoff with a throwaway line:

“Haha, yeah, I’m still just weak.”

“Well… I only did that because you forced me.”

“Not bad for someone who’s basically a lazy piece of sh*t.”

Everyone laughs. It seems harmless.

Just a joke, right?

But I need you to understand something. Deeply.

Every time you minimize your own effort, your brain hears it.

Your body feels it.

And your nervous system responds accordingly.

You are teaching yourself that your hard work doesn’t mean much.

That even when you show up, it doesn’t count.

That progress must come with a punchline to be acceptable.

But imagine this:

If you used that same 30 seconds — not to joke — but to acknowledge your strength.

To say:

“I’m proud of how far I’ve come.”

“That was hard. But I did it.”

“I’m stronger now than I was last month — mentally and physically.”

What would shift?

Everything.

Your body would register it.

Your mind would start to believe you’re someone who succeeds.

You’d build emotional momentum — and that’s the stuff that creates long-term change.

Your muscles respond to consistency.

But your identity responds to what you say about yourself in the quiet moments after.

So no — it’s not just a joke.

It’s a choice.

One that either strengthens your transformation…

Or sabotages it from the inside out.

And next time you catch yourself brushing off your own effort, ask:

“What would happen if I told the truth instead?”

Because the truth is — you’re doing better than you let yourself believe.

And if you gave yourself permission to own that…

You’d rise even faster.

— Kristina