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What This Balinese Woman Can Teach You About Achieving Your Goals
Ep. 051: The power of why and a powerful routine
This is Nyoman.
She arrives every morning at 5:30 am on her scooter at my homestay in Ubud. She is our caretaker and sometimes comes twice a day but never misses the morning.
Why?
Because her task is to place a “canang sari” in front of every door, staircase, the kitchen, and hallway.
Canang Sari
A canang sari is a Balinese offering made of palm leaves, flowers, rice, and incense, symbolizing gratitude and believed to ward off spirits while fostering spiritual harmony.
She spends about thirty minutes on this ritual, then drives back to her village.
Isn’t this incredible?
Every single day, she visits to leave a religious offering and protect us from spirits, even though we don’t even share her beliefs.
Never misses out. Ever.
That’s the power of a strong purpose.
Her faith, intertwined with deeply ingrained routines, makes it impossible for her to waver. Sari’s dedication got me reflecting on the strength of a deeply rooted "why."
Her actions aren’t driven by convenience or practicality. They stem from something far greater: her faith, her culture, and the spiritual duty she feels compelled to fulfill. It’s a routine she never questions, because for her, it’s not optional—it’s part of who she is.
And that made me wonder: What’s your “canang sari”?
To be honest, I think most of us lack faith, especially in the West, where it has been eroded and replaced with false deities and divisive ideologies. This, I believe, is part of why my country, Germany, is in decline while Indonesia seems to have a bright future.
What’s the belief, mission, or purpose so deeply ingrained in you that it drives your actions every day, no matter the circumstances?
For most of us, it’s easy to let routines slip and postpone what matters because it doesn’t feel urgent. But when your "why" is clear—something you truly believe in—it transforms daily habits from obligations into meaningful rituals.
That’s the lesson Nyoman teaches me every morning at 5:30 am.
Now, let me show you how I’ve applied this to my daily routine—but before we dive in, here’s this week’s sponsor with an intriguing side hustle 💸.
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"How Writing One ‘Why’ Each Day can change everything"
During one of my toughest moments over the past two years, I realized I was losing sight of what mattered most.
I felt directionless, overwhelmed, and unsure of what was driving me forward. Then I remembered Scott, one of Tony Robbins’ head coaches who had coached me back in 2017 with my first company.
I called him, and we had a long chat. He asked me, “What’s your why? Do you have one strong enough to carry you forward?”
I hesitated, and he pressed further, “If it’s not strong enough, you’ll never move past this.”
That conversation stayed with me, and from that day on, I started writing down one why every single day.
I built this habit into my Notion tool, which I already relied on for clarity and planning. I set up a daily notification to remind myself to write it down, no matter how chaotic or uninspired I felt. Some days, my “why” was deep and emotional. Other days, it was as simple as, “Because I’m capable of more.” But every time, it anchored me back to my purpose.
Here’s what I discovered: Routines rooted in purpose protect your goals.
Why This Matters for Solo-preneurs and Digital Nomads
The freedom and flexibility of being a digital nomad can make you lose track of time.
But that freedom can become chaos if you don’t anchor yourself to a clear purpose. Just like Sari, who shows up every morning to place a spiritual offering for balance and protection, you need routines that protect your mental clarity and focus.
Your success doesn’t come from working harder—it comes from having a strong “why” and building habits that reinforce it.
Writing down just one “why” every day might seem small, but over time, it becomes your compass, keeping you aligned with your vision even during the hardest days.
How to Start Your Routine
1) Open the Nomad Mastermind Notion template
2) Set a reminder at the same time every day to pause, reflect, and write down one reason you're pursuing this journey. I use Todoist.
Let this small habit become a ritual, protecting you from burnout, doubt, and distractions.
Like Sari’s offerings, this practice isn’t just about the act itself—it’s about what it represents: gratitude, clarity, and unwavering purpose.
As nomads and entrepreneurs, these are the foundations we build our lives on.
So, what’s your “why” today?
How can we help you?
You can use the power of stories from around the world to enhance your journey too.
I ghostwrite for digital nomads, creators, founders and coaches just like you. I’ll write posts and repurpose your content on X, LinkedIn, and Beehiiv. (this platform)
Here is my full, comprehensive offer.
Wanna check out some excellent newsletters first for inspiration? Here is a curated list.
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