The Misogi Challenge A Birthday Ritual That Transforms Your Year

Setting the Tone

When was the last time you did something for the first time—something so hard that it pushed you to your limits, but you did it anyway? For me, birthdays aren’t just about celebrations. They’ve become powerful moments of growth, challenge, and transformation.

This week, I’m inviting you to reflect on how you can push yourself in ways that will impact the rest of your year.

Let’s dive in.

Breakthrough Idea of the Week

Misogi – A Unique Birthday Ritual

Every year on my birthday, I follow a ritual inspired by the Japanese concept of misogi. The idea is simple: take on a challenge so difficult that it reshapes how you approach everything else in your life for the next 364 days. It’s about pushing beyond your limits, facing something you’re not sure you can finish, and then doing it anyway.

This year, my misogi is a 45-day hybrid workout challenge, committing to training 6 to 7 days a week to get into the strongest shape of my life. And here’s the kicker—it’s during the busiest period of my year. The challenge isn’t just physical; it’s about finding the mental discipline and psychological flexibility to maintain balance, to not let excuses or busyness get in the way. It’s about proving to myself that I can thrive, not just survive, even in the most chaotic times.

Over the years, my misogi rituals have pushed me through some incredible experiences. I’ve been on a 17-day expedition to Lobuche, climbed a volcano, completed my first trail marathon, gone skydiving, and embarked on a plant medicine journey. Each one terrified me, but each one left me stronger. The principle behind misogi is to put one significant challenge on your calendar that stretches you to a place of uncertainty—a place where you don’t know if you’ll make it. That’s where true growth happens.

It’s not just about the thrill of the challenge; it’s about the confidence and resilience you gain. Every year, I walk away from my misogi with a deeper sense of strength that I carry into everything I do, from business to relationships. It reminds me that I’m capable of more than I ever thought possible.

Pause & Reflect

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do but have been too afraid to try?

What challenge could you take on that would push you beyond your limits and leave a lasting impact on the way you live the rest of the year?

Coaching Tool of the Week

Plan Your Own Misogi

This week, I challenge you to plan your own misogi. This isn’t just about picking a random challenge; it’s about choosing something that will push you far beyond your comfort zone and leave a lasting impact. Here’s how to start:

Identify Your Misogi: Think about something that feels almost impossible. It needs to be challenging enough that you’re not sure if you can do it, but not so impossible that it’s out of reach. It could be physical, mental, or emotional. Whether it’s completing a 100-mile bike ride, starting that business idea you’ve been avoiding, or setting a major personal goal, choose something that stretches you.

Set a Date: Pick a meaningful date to complete your misogi. For me, it’s my birthday, but you can choose a date that motivates you. This makes the commitment real.

Commit to Preparation: Misogi isn’t about blindly charging in. Prepare yourself for the challenge ahead. Just like my 45-day workout challenge, I’m not going in unprepared—I’m training, structuring my time, and mentally preparing for the grind. The preparation becomes part of the transformation.

Lean Into the Fear: When the time comes, embrace the discomfort. Misogi is meant to scare you a little, to push you beyond what you think you’re capable of. This is where you grow the most. It’s about discovering that your limits are much further than you thought.

Reflect and Integrate: After completing your misogi, take time to reflect on what you’ve learned. What did you discover about your capacity, and how will this challenge influence the way you tackle your day-to-day life?

Final Thought

Misogi is more than a one-time challenge—it’s a way to continually push your boundaries and expand what you believe is possible. Every year, you get a little stronger, a little more resilient, and a little more capable of tackling whatever life throws at you. It’s not just about the immediate challenge; it’s about proving to yourself that you can handle the unexpected twists with grit and grace.

So, what’s your misogi? What’s the one big challenge you’ll take on this year to transform how you live and work? Drop a comment and let me know—it might be time to start your own annual tradition of pushing yourself to new heights.

Keep playing your Infinite Game,
Coach Sid

P.S. If this idea of misogi resonates with you, share it with a friend or fellow entrepreneur who could use a push beyond their comfort zone. Let’s all take on challenges that leave a lasting impact.

Setting the Tone

Breakthrough Idea of the Week

Misogi – A Unique Birthday Ritual

Pause & Reflect

Coaching Tool of the Week

Plan Your Own Misogi

Final Thought

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Setting the Tone

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Misogi – A Unique Birthday Ritual

Pause & Reflect

Coaching Tool of the Week

Plan Your Own Misogi

Final Thought

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