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Smuggling Old Habits Into New Systems
Some things have to become non-negotiable. You can't leave the door open.
Mark Patterson
10 Mar • Est. Reading Time: 5 minutes
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In This Edition of Remarkable Monday
The Decisions That Define You
For weeks, we’ve talked about staying on course, filtering out distractions, and resisting the urge to feel like you need to be an expert before you even start.
But what about when the challenge isn’t starting—it’s sticking with it?
That’s when you realize that some things have to become non-negotiable.
Because if you leave the door open for old habits, they will find their way back in.
The Moment It Clicked
I’ve been deep in a wellness regimen for the past five weeks, dialing in my nutrition and pushing my limits in the gym.
I’ve had to unlearn a lot—not just about food, but about mindset.
Like the other day, when I was sending Ryan (my coach) my nutrition report screenshots.
For months, I had been using lactose-free milk in my protein shakes. Fat-free. No added sugar. A win, right?
Turns out, it had way more sugar than I thought.
Realistically, it was a small swap—I could achieve the same taste using something better. But at week five, I was hitting that moment.
The moment where, if I were doing this alone, I’d start making excuses:
This is too much.
I don’t have time for all of this.
Does this one little thing really matter?
That’s when I sent Ryan a GIF of Ham Porter from The Sandlot—the classic “You’re killing me, Smalls.”
Ryan’s response?
“You want a sculpted midsection, right?”
No lecture. No explanation. Just a reminder of what I said I wanted.
Why Non-Negotiables Matter
The truth is, we don’t drift into change. We decide our way into it. And that decision? It’s not a one-time thing. It happens in the small moments.
When you’re tempted to let a boundary slide.
When you want to take a shortcut that won’t serve you.
When going back to what’s familiar feels easier than sticking to what’s right.
The second you start smuggling old habits into new systems, you undo the very change you set out to make.
Who You Become Is a Byproduct of What You Refuse to Compromise
If you need proof, look at two people who set their non-negotiables and built something impactful:
KevOnStage Has a Message for Dreamers; Celebrities Weing In
Comedian KevOnStage reflects on his journey with heartfelt encouragement for those who feel like giving up. Erica Campbell, Amber Riley, and Sterling K. Brown co-signed the sentiment in the comments.
Pinky Cole’s $10 Million Lesson
Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole shares an invaluable lesson in business, reminding entrepreneurs to evaluate their overhead.
Questions to Consider
So this week, take a moment to ask yourself:
What am I still treating as optional that should be non-negotiable?
What small compromises am I allowing that are pulling me backward?
What would happen if I fully committed to the decisions I say I want?
Hit reply and let me know—what’s one thing you’re making non-negotiable this week?
If you are reading this far…
I hope this message finds you well. I’m sharing from my heart in hopes that you will be inspired to unearth and live out your God-given purpose. Hopefully, something I said resonated. I would love to hear from you if so. Please feel free to reach out to me on social media. FYI: I’m mostly active on Instagram these days. If you were forwarded this message, you can subscribe here to receive thoughts like this directly in your inbox. And don’t forget to check out the latest episode of my podcast, ConvoRoom with Mark Allen Patterson.
See you next week,
