External Prompts
by Jenna Pastuszek
When Leslie Odom Jr. was up for his Tony for Hamilton, The New York Times did a piece on him where he spoke openly about outsourcing unrelated decision making. He explained that he wanted to maximize his focus on performing, so he hired a chef, a personal trainer, a stylist, an assistant, etc. etc. etc. so that he could. He built a team to create external prompts for him to respond to (think meals, workouts, fashion choices), so that he could show up on stage as his best self.
Now, I don’t have a Tony (yet), I’m not amazingly wealthy (yet), and, at the same time, I can’t wait around to be my best self. I may not be rich in money, but I’m rich in friend networks and creative strategy, so I can use those to build the affordable accountability teams I need to succeed.
Last month, I hopped on my used Peloton (bought from a friend of a friend!) and saw a notification at the bottom of my screen. It said, “Your friend is taking a class,” and it offered me the chance to join. There was my friend in North Carolina, Elaina, riding along to a 90s rock class. The serendipity of both of us being on the bike that day has led to us coordinating riding together two or three times a week. Six weeks in, we’re still high fiving, taking classes that I may not have been motivated to take without her- difficult classes, longer rides, different workouts, new instructors, etc.
A similar thing happened last spring with my friend Jenny. We were both curious about participating in Audrey Helps Actors’ Self-Tape May. So, we hopped in together, meeting once a week over zoom to put each other on tape. Quickly, we saw how much better and efficient we got with memorizing, making choices, and setting up. We got so much out of it that we continue to meet weekly, eight months later. Jenny calls it a 2021 “million-dollar decision.” Something that only cost us time in the moment yet has had a sky-high return on investment.
In our current cohort of the BADassery, I see clients more consistently showing up for themselves by showing up for each other. Taking advantage of partner practice sessions, group Pomodoro sprints, accountability posting on their social media platforms, and completing “homework” by a deadline. It’s exciting to watch the power of the group propel everyone forward.
External prompts and outside motivation are prevalent in motivational marketing for a reason. They work. And if, you’re like me, and they work for you, then stop should’ing all over yourself, and tap into this as a resource! Trade in the guilt you feel for not getting more done on your own for the gains you’ll see once you create a better system!
You may not be enough to be your own motivation. And that’s okay.
Your dreams, your goals, and your passion alone, may not be the motivation you need to get to where you want to go. You may need a push!
You can begin building your affordable accountability team now, while you wait for your Tony.
What can you use as an external prompt to get you to commit to whatever challenging decision you’re facing?
Do you need an accountabili’buddy to check in with?
Do you need a coach or teacher to assign you HW?
Do you need to sign up for a weekly class, a program, or a challenge to be part of something?
**For information on our accountability programs (The Voice Gym, The BADassery, and The Daily Warm Up), check out our website! Our last round for 2021 of TDW begins Monday, 12/6!
