No matter what anyone says, especially the "biohackers," you must show up and do the work.

If they’re praising you like you’re the next big thing, yeah, great. Clap for yourself, but guess what? You still must show up and do the work.

If they’re tearing you down, acting like you don’t know what you’re doing, show up anyway. And if nobody even notices you? Yeah, you guessed it—show up and do the work.

I know what you’re thinking: “Coach Joe, it can’t be that simple.” But here’s the deal—this is how you win at life. You show up, day in and day out, and do what you need to do, even when you don’t feel like it. Especially when you don’t feel like it.

Let’s break it down into eight strategies you can use, starting today.

1. Get a Routine, and Stick to It

You know how successful folks set time for batch-preparing their meals on Sundays and Wednesdays? They're not winging it. No, they've got a plan, and it’s the same every week. That’s what you need—a routine.

Action Step: Set a schedule for yourself. If you’re trying to hit the gym, block out that time like it’s the most important meeting of your life. Write down what needs to get done each day. No excuses, no “I’ll get to it later.” You block it out, and you do it. Period.

Example: Look, you’re not gonna “find time” to work out. Nobody “finds time.” You make time, and then you show up. Maybe it’s 5:50 a.m., maybe it’s 6 p.m.—but pick your time and stick to it like it’s your job.

2. Stop Obsessing Over the Result

You want instant gratification? Get a dog. You want real success? Well, that takes time. You can't panic every time the scale doesn’t move or the paycheck doesn’t get bigger. Focus on doing the work, and the results will follow. 

Action Step: Set goals you can control. Instead of saying, “I want six-pack abs by next month,” just say, “I’m gonna work out four times a week, no matter what.” Because here’s the thing—you can control how often you show up, but it's tougher to control how fast you lose bodyfat.

Example: You’re not going to be squatting 300 pounds tomorrow, so quit staring at that bar like it’s gonna move itself. Show up, do the reps, and eventually, you’ll get there (maybe not squatting 300 pounds, but you know what I mean).

3. Track Your Progress—Because Nobody Else Is

Listen, nobody’s handing out trophies for trying hard. You gotta be your own cheerleader here. Keep track of your wins, even the small ones. It’s not about waiting for someone to pat you on the back—you’re patting yourself on the back. Give yourself that little "good effort" moment.

Action Step: Get yourself a notebook or use your phone. Every time you do something—whether it’s a workout, a new skill, or finishing a project—write it down. You’ll see that all these little things add up.

Example: Let’s say you’ve been trying to get up early and hit the gym before work. Write it down every time you actually make it. After a month, you’ll look back and say, “Hey, I’m not a complete disaster after all.”

4. Don’t Expect Applause

Here’s the hard truth: most people aren’t gonna care what you’re doing. And that’s okay. Not everyone’s gonna clap when you hit a milestone. In fact, most people won’t even notice you’re putting in the effort. So stop looking for validation and keep showing up.

Action Step: Practice showing up for yourself, not for anyone else. That silent grind, that’s where the magic happens. Put in the work when nobody’s looking. One day, you’ll look up, and everyone will be asking, “How’d they do it?” Spoiler: You did it by showing up when no one was paying attention.

Example: Picture this. You’re at the gym, you’re sweating it out, and there’s no one there to see it. No Instagram story, no friends cheering you on. Guess what? That’s when you’re doing the real work. The quiet, unseen effort that eventually makes you stand out.

5. Forget Perfectionism—Just Show Up

We’ve all been there. You want everything to be perfect, but perfection? It’s a myth, people! If you wait for the stars to align, you’ll never do anything. It’s like waiting for an Italian grandmother to stop cooking with too much olive oil—it’s never gonna happen.

Action Step: Give yourself permission to be less than perfect. Whether you show up to the gym feeling like a million bucks or like you’ve been hit by a truck, just be there. The work you do on your worst day still counts.

Example: You miss a workout, you eat that extra slice of pizza, whatever. So what? Don’t throw in the towel just because you stumbled. Get back up, show up the next day, and keep moving.

6. Get an Accountability Buddy

Let’s be honest. It’s hard to do this alone. We need someone to give us a little nudge—someone who’s gonna say, “Hey, where were you?” when you decide to skip out. Call it peer pressure, call it motivation, but it works.

Action Step: Find a buddy who’s got your back—or better yet, someone who won’t let you off the hook. Whether it’s a workout partner, a professional coach, or just a friend, make sure they’re keeping you in check.

Example: You’re thinking of skipping the gym? But your coach texts you, “See you at 5:50 a.m.?” Now you gotta show up, ‘cause you can’t let them down. It’s that little push we all need.

7. Celebrate the Small Wins

If you’re waiting for the big moment where confetti falls from the ceiling and you’re showered in praise, you’re gonna be waiting a long time. But here’s the thing—you don’t have to wait for the big win to celebrate. The small wins count too.

Action Step: After a tough week of showing up, give yourself a little reward. I’m not saying you need to have a dance party, but take a moment to acknowledge the work you put in. It could be as simple as a favorite meal or some downtime. Okay, maybe you can have a little dance party.

Example: You worked out every day this week? Fantastic! Treat yourself to a night off. Put your feet up, watch some TV, and relax. You’ve earned it.

8. Be Willing to Pivot

Look, just because you’re showing up doesn’t mean you can’t adjust the plan when needed. If what you’re doing isn’t working, you gotta be flexible enough to change it up. It’s not about quitting—it’s about tweaking the approach.

Action Step: Periodically check in on your progress. If you’re hitting a plateau or things aren’t clicking, it’s time to adjust the plan. Whether it’s tweaking your workout, switching up your routine, or setting new goals, don’t be afraid to pivot.

Example: You’ve been running the same workout routine for months, and you’re not seeing results? It’s time to try something new. Hire a trainer, change up the exercises—do whatever it takes to keep moving forward.

Conclusion: It’s About Consistency, Not Flash

At the end of the day, success isn’t about grand gestures or big, flashy moments. It’s about the small, consistent actions you take every single day. You show up, you do the work, and eventually, it pays off.

No matter what anyone says, just show up and do the work. Because when it’s all said and done, that’s how you win. And let’s face it, winning feels a whole lot better than sitting around waiting for the perfect moment that’s never gonna come.