What I Learned by Becoming Someone Who Exercises

You do not need a reason to do something. You just do it. People who do not act search for a "why" and feel they need a reason. Even when the reason is excellent, actually following through is an entirely separate matter.

It is about identity. People do things without needing a reason because those actions are part of who they are. Identity comes first and rationalization follows; it is not that people act when they have a reason and stop when they do not.

When trying to learn from someone, the key is to understand that person's "mental models" and "systems," instead of asking narrow questions about specific knowledge or know-how.

A "mental model" is how a person believes and understands the world, things, and reality to work. A "system" is the person's behavioral loop for turning what they want, based on that mental model, into reality.

Reasons do not really belong here. Reasons are often rationalizations formed after an action, so asking for them in an attempt to understand causality is usually misguided and difficult to apply in practice.

When you meet someone, the conversation should center on sharing how each of you sees the world—as naturally as making small talk—along with what you are currently trying to accomplish and the difficulties you are facing along the way. If you fill a meeting with narrow details, I can guarantee you will meet again to discuss the same topic.

Someone who needs a reason cannot beat someone who simply does the work.