Entitled?

Entitlement is defined as “the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment.”

So, here’s the question: Are we entitled to our physical health?

Are we entitled to our mental health?

In my work as a youth drug abuse counselor, I run into a lot of kids who struggle with entitlement. They want to be happy, they want to feel good, but they expect it to just happen without putting in the work. This is what I mean by entitlement—wanting something without doing what it takes to earn it.

If you want something—health, wealth, strength, confidence—it’s all possible. People have done it before you. The difference is that they made a plan, they put in the work, and they stuck to it. You have to do the same. It doesn’t mean it’ll be easy, and it doesn’t mean it’ll happen quickly. But if you want it, you have to be willing to do what it takes.

I promise you, I still struggle with entitlement to this day. I think I’m way better than what I am at times, and I need to humble myself and make sure I’m putting in the work without expecting instant results. Last night, I was in a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, and the topic was resentment. I talked about my resentment toward myself because I feel like I should be able to do things without putting in the effort. I have to constantly remind myself to get back to the basics: show up, put in the work, and earn it.

So, I encourage you to reflect on your own entitlement. Do you expect results without putting in the work? Do you want something but aren’t willing to build a plan or stick to it? If so, you’re not alone—but it’s a mindset that will hold you back from real progress.

Here are a few quotes that have helped me reflect on this:

• Paulo Coelho: “The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.”

• Andrew Huberman: “Consistency is the magic ingredient for any change in mental or physical health. It’s not about massive action. It’s about doing something over and over again.”

• Viktor Frankl: “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

If you want health, wealth, confidence—anything—you have to be willing to change yourself. That starts by setting aside entitlement, setting up a plan, and putting in the work. There’s no shortcut, but the rewards are worth it.

And if you’re near Provo and want to get started, I’d love for you to join me for a free fitness class this Saturday at 9am. It’ll be a 45-minute HIIT-style workout followed by 5-10 minutes of mental health work. Just show up, do the work, and see what it feels like to earn your results.

One love,

Matt