Jordan Sterling

I, I, I actually threw out my favorite running shoes this morning, Ava. Just, uh, tossed them right in the bin. Because I, I realized I was spending, like, twenty minutes every single morning just staring at them, having this, this, this massive internal debate about whether I should go out or just stay in bed.

Ava Brooks

Wait, the green ones? The ones with the completely worn out soles? I mean, your knees are probably thanking you for that. But it, it is wild how much mental energy we waste on that, right? It reminds me of what Clayton Christensen used to say, that it is actually easier to hold your principles 100 percent of the time than it is to hold them 98 percent of the time.

Jordan Sterling

Yes! The 98 percent rule. It, it is completely counterintuitive because we think, oh, leaving ourselves a little, you know, wiggle room, a tiny two percent margin, makes things easier on us. But Christensen was so spot on. That tiny two percent window is where the agony lives. It is the self negotiation trap.

Ava Brooks

Oh, it is a total trap. Because when you are only 98 percent committed, Benjamin Hardy pointed out that it actually means you are not committed at all. You are just still sitting on the fence. And sitting on that fence is incredibly exhausting. It drains your willpower before you even start.

Jordan Sterling

Right, because you have to make the decision all over again. Every. Single. Day. Like, is today the day I skip? Am I too tired? Is it too cold? You are wasting your best mental energy on the negotiation instead of the actual work.

Ava Brooks

I, I did this exact thing with songwriting, Jordan. I told myself I was going to sit down at the piano for just twenty minutes a day. Just twenty minutes. But I left myself that tiny 98 percent wiggle room. And oh my goodness, I spent more time debating whether I had the energy or if I should do laundry instead, rather than actually playing. It was exhausting until I just made it an absolute non negotiable.

Jordan Sterling

That is it. You took the choice away from yourself, which is actually incredibly freeing.

Jordan Sterling

It is crazy how the brain works when we do that. There is actually, uh, real science behind this. Back in 1990, this researcher Peter Gollwitzer did a landmark study on what he called deliberative versus implemental mindsets. And his research showed that these deliberative and implemental mind sets tune thought production and information processing in completely different ways.

Ava Brooks

Wait, so your brain literally processes information differently once you actually make the choice? Like, the physical tuning shifts?

Jordan Sterling

Yes, exactly! The pre decision mind is built to weigh options and look at obstacles. But once you transition to post decision, to that implemental state, your brain tunes out the obstacles and focuses entirely on action. You stop debating and you start executing.

Ava Brooks

That is so powerful. It is like, um, it is like jumping into a cold pool. You can stand on the edge and shiver, or you can just plunge. Which is, honestly, it is the exact vibe of the PTT Music track, "Dive." Do you remember when that dropped?

Jordan Sterling

Oh, yeah. "Dive" was released on April 19, 2026. The beat in that song, it has this, this driving, rhythmic energy that just doesn't let you sit still. It is like a sonic pivot that pushes your brain right past the overthinking.

Ava Brooks

It really does. It is like an audio cue that says, okay, no more deliberating. Time to implement. So, how do we actually apply this? Let us give everyone some practical things they can do today.

Jordan Sterling

Let us start with three things. Step one is to identify your 98 percent leak. Find that one area, whether it is waking up or writing or working out, where you are constantly negotiating with yourself.

Ava Brooks

And step two, once you find that leak, you upgrade it to a 100 percent commitment. No exceptions for the next 14 days. Just take the daily choice off your mental menu entirely.

Jordan Sterling

And step three, use a physical or sonic cue. Play that track, "Dive," by PTT Music the exact second you feel yourself starting to hesitate or debate. Let the music trigger the physical movement.

Ava Brooks

I love that. Just press play and jump in.

Jordan Sterling

Again, thanks for spending this time with us on the PTT Music Podcast. We hope today's conversation left you inspired, encouraged, and ready to carry that energy with you wherever life takes you. I'm Jordan Sterling...

Ava Brooks

And I'm Ava Brooks. We'll see you next time for another conversation that celebrates creativity, purpose, and the power of music.

Jordan Sterling

If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to continue the journey with us. Visit PTTMusic.com to explore our latest music, official videos, exclusive merchandise, artist updates, and much more. You can also stream PTT Music on your favorite music platforms. And be sure to subscribe to our podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use a little inspiration today... Until next time, keep moving forward.

Ava Brooks

And let the PTT Music continue to move you closer to who you truly are.