Steve Jobs Was Onto Something
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, was a man who made waves in technology, design, and innovation. But aside from his genius, there’s something else Jobs was known for: his wardrobe. The man rocked the same outfit—blue jeans and a black turtleneck—day after day, whether he was working behind the scenes or presenting the next revolutionary Apple product.
And no, it wasn’t because those clothes were made of the finest sweat-wicking poly-cotton blend or because they were the height of fashion. He wore the same thing every day to save brainpower for more important decisions. It is popularly known as decision fatigue. For Jobs, figuring out what to wear was one less decision he had to make, allowing him to focus on the bigger picture—like changing the world.
But what does this have to do with your fitness routine? A lot, actually.
Automation: The Secret to Staying Consistent
What if I told you that automating certain parts of your life could help you stay more consistent with your fitness goals? Just like Steve Jobs simplified his wardrobe, you can simplify your workouts, meals, and routines so you can focus on what’s really important: crushing your goals, staying healthy, and living your best life.
Let me break it down:
1. Automate Your Workouts
You ever walk into the gym and wonder, What should I do today? Maybe you spend too much time thinking about which exercises to tackle, or how to structure your routine, and before you know it, half your workout window has slipped away.
Enter automation. Imagine having a workout routine pre-planned for you. Whether it’s a trainer giving you a program or an app reminding you what to do, the decision-making process is already done. No more wandering around the gym, deciding between squats or lunges—you know exactly what’s on the docket.
Better yet, stick to a simple plan that you repeat. You don’t need a new workout every single day to see results. In fact, the more automated your routine is, the easier it is to stay consistent. Once you get into a groove, the only thing you need to focus on is showing up and putting in the work.
2. Meal Prep = Fewer Decisions, More Gains
Ever find yourself staring into the fridge, wondering what’s for dinner? Or worse, you’re hungry, it’s late, and you have no clue what to eat. The result? You either reach for the quickest (and often unhealthiest) option, or you stress about what to make.
What if, like Jobs with his turtleneck and jeans, you had healthy meals prepped and ready to go? Imagine eating the same few go-to meals—meals that you know are healthy, balanced, and something you actually enjoy. Sure, you can swap ingredients or change things up from time to time, but automating your meals takes the guesswork out of eating healthy. No more daily deliberations about what to cook. You grab what you’ve prepped, you eat, and you move on with your life.
With meal prepping, you’ve already made the decision about what’s going into your body ahead of time. This means fewer chances for grabbing junk food and more energy for the things that matter—like hitting those gym goals.
3. Automate Your Gym Gear
How many times have you wasted precious time searching for your gym clothes or packing your gym bag? Maybe you can’t find your favorite shorts, or you forgot your water bottle at home. The struggle is real.
But what if you had your gym wardrobe on lock? Wear the same few things, pack the same bag—done. No more spending time wondering what to wear or if you forgot something important. Just keep your gym gear consistent and simple, and always have your essentials ready in your gym bag.
Sure, you might not be making a fashion statement, but when was the last time your workout clothes made or broke your PR? Simplifying your gym gear means one less thing to worry about, so you can spend more time focusing on your workout—and crushing it.
4. Routine = Freedom
Believe it or not, automation in your routine doesn’t tie you down—it frees you. When you simplify the things you have to think about, it opens up brain space and energy for what’s truly important. Want to crush your workout? Eat healthy? Be present with your family?
Then automate the stuff that can be automated. Set your bedtime at the same time each night to ensure you’re well-rested for the day ahead. Stick to a few core meals and keep them on rotation. Have your workouts planned ahead of time, and be ready with your gym bag packed. Now, instead of stressing about the small stuff, you can focus on the big things—like getting stronger, faster, and healthier.
Final Thoughts: Be Like Steve Jobs (in Your Own Way)
Now, I’m not saying you need to start wearing a black turtleneck to the gym (although, if that’s your style, go for it). But Steve Jobs had the right idea when it came to eliminating unnecessary decisions. The more we simplify and automate, the easier it is to focus on what really matters.
So, try automating your workouts, meals, and routines. You’ll have more mental energy for crushing your goals, staying consistent, and enjoying the journey.
Remember: less thinking, more doing. Be like water. Be like Jobs. And watch how much easier it is to stay on track with your fitness and health goals.
