The Dangers of Skipping Steps

UNCAGED CLINICIAN
Blog

Sept 14, 2025

Opens the door to strongholds!

We invite you to enjoy today's special contribution edition of the UNCAGED CLINICIAN Blog from one of our good friends, Jake Thompson. Jake is the founder and CEO of COMPETEEVERYDAY.COM

I'm standing in the middle of a packed group workout class, sweat dripping, legs shaking like a newborn calf.

The workout today is brutal. Around me, athletes half my age are grinding through the same reps. My lungs are screaming. My form is starting to break down.

And then it happens.

That voice - quiet at first, then louder - starts whispering:

"Skip a few reps. Nobody's counting. You'll finish first."

At 42 years old. After decades of talking about integrity and competing the right way.

I still get the urge to cheat.

It's embarrassing as hell to admit.

The hard truth is that honestly, it never goes away.

The urge to cut corners. To take the easy path. To win at any cost.

Doesn't matter if you're the CEO or the intern. Doesn't matter if you've been preaching integrity for decades. That ego-driven whisper finds you.

"What if they think I'm getting old? What if I finish last?"

So I'm tempted to cheat. To go faster. To compromise my form just to save face on some stupid leaderboard that won't matter tomorrow.

The shame hits every time I catch myself thinking it.

But that shame? That's actually the signal that something deeper is happening.

This Shows Up Everywhere

This internal battle doesn't stay in the gym. It follows you home:

In your leadership role:

• Cutting corners on projects to hit unrealistic deadlines

• Taking credit that isn't entirely yours

• Fudging numbers in reports to look better

• Saying "yes" to everything instead of having honest capacity conversations

In your daily life:

• Not putting the shopping cart back because "someone else will do it"

• Telling your kids to "do the right thing" while you're looking for shortcuts

• Skipping the small disciplines when no one's watching

In your health:

• Logging workouts you didn't fully complete

• "Forgetting" to track the weekend meals that derailed your progress

• Taking the elevator instead of the stairs when your fitness tracker isn't watching

Your ego wants the quick win. The shortcut. The validation.

But here's the thing - every time you listen to that voice, you're training yourself to be someone you don't respect.

That moment in the gym reminded me something crucial about our C.O.M.P.E.T.E. framework:

CLARIFY who you're really competing with.

The person next to me isn't my competition. The leaderboard isn't my scoreboard. The only question that matters: Can I look myself in the mirror tonight knowing I did every rep with integrity?

Because here's what I know now that I didn't know at 22:

The shortcuts you take in private become the character you display in public.

Every rep you cheat in the gym makes it easier to cut corners in your quarterly review.

Every time you choose convenience over character when no one's watching, you're casting a vote for the person you're becoming.

The most dangerous opponent you'll ever face isn't your coworker, your competitor, or that 25-year-old crushing the workout next to you.

It's the voice in your head that whispers, "Just this once. Nobody will know."

Your Move Today

Here's your challenge: Catch yourself mid-shortcut today.

Maybe it's:

• Completing every rep of your workout with proper form instead of racing the clock

• Actually reading that entire report before the meeting instead of skimming

• Having the difficult conversation with your team member instead of hoping the problem fixes itself

• Putting your shopping cart back even when you're running late

The moment you hear that ego voice suggesting the easier path, pause.

Ask yourself: "What would the person I'm becoming do right now?"

Then do that thing. Not because anyone's watching. Because YOU are.

Be sure to check out the Sept 14 edition of the UNCAGED CLINICIAN Podcast for a lively discussion on today's topic with Jake Thompson as special guest!  

The UNCAGED CLINICIAN Podcast is available on iTunes and Spotify.

Be sure to investigate resources from Jake Thompson at his website, COMPETEEVERYDAY.COM

UNCAGED CLINICIAN and the new UNCAGED UNIVERSITY are just the things to guide you AND hold you accountable as you venture into growing your very own practice.

If you're interested in becoming a student of our new university, visit uncagedclinician.com and schedule a free Growth Strategy Call with us.

Let's work together to break through the ceiling and unlock the full potential of your business.

Also, be sure to check out our website for other resources!

Your Success is our success!

The UNCAGED team