The information in this article is an overview of a chapter in the book “Iron Mind: Unbreakable Confidence and Relentless Drive for the Next Generation of Leaders”.
The 90-Day Cruel Teacher is more than a one-time push; it’s a mindset you can strengthen with targeted exercises. These practices help you prepare, endure and reflect, turning short-term challenges into long-term power. Let’s explore how to build that lasting strength.
Start with preparation. Before jumping in, assess your readiness. One exercise is to list past tough spots you’ve faced — jobs, relationships or goals that tested you. Next to each, note what you learned and how it made you stronger. This “rejection resume” reminds you that survival is your strength. Update it regularly; over time, it becomes proof you’re built for hard things.
During your 90 days, focus on daily habits that keep you sharp. Beyond documenting and meeting, add a quick morning routine: review your goal, anticipate one obstacle and plan your response. This sets a proactive tone. At night, jot down three wins, no matter how small. This counters negativity and builds momentum.
Reflection is key to locking in gains. The weekly Sunday review is essential, but expand it. After noting surprises and new habits, rate your progress on a scale of 1-10. Below an 8? Schedule a fix for the next day. This keeps you accountable and turns insights into action.
To go deeper, try the “pre-mortem” letter. Before starting, write how things could go wrong — ignored warnings, blind spots or ego trips. Then, address each risk upfront. This prevents common pitfalls and sharpens your strategy.
For ongoing hardening, incorporate annual bets. Once a year, make a bold, public commitment — something specific like learning a new skill or hitting a milestone. The risk of looking foolish forces preparation and rewires you for bigger goals.
Another tool: the “two eulogies.” Write one as if your journey ended now, highlighting regrets. Then, one for the future, describing the impact you want. Destroy the first; keep the second visible. This aligns daily actions with long-term vision.
These exercises work because they manufacture evidence of your capability. Each one adds layers of resilience, making future challenges easier.
In the end, the 90-Day Cruel Teacher, supported by these practices, transforms you. You’ll face life with quiet confidence, knowing you’ve earned it through repetition and reflection.
To talk about any aspect of success or working with a Life Coach to help you to achieve success, you can book a 30-minute call by clicking on the blue button below.
Don’t try to do all of this by yourself, ask and receive the guidance that can get you moving towards your own success.
Working together can help you overcome personal and professional barriers, ensuring you reach your highest potential.
Nothing happens until action is taken.
To your success.
Michael
P.S Don’t forget to visit Confidology to learn more about the full program being offered to build up your confidence in aspects of your life.
P.P.S. If you enjoy reading these articles on my blog, I have more books that have more of this type of information that you can find out more about at Books to Read. You can buy these ebooks at many on-line book stores. The links to the bookstores are at the link above.
P.P.P.S. I have a series of 4 articles on the “Fear of Success” that I have posted. You can also request a free PDF of all 4-articles by sending me an email message at coachmgw@outlook.com