Credibility is not a badge. It's not a label someone else gives you. It's not your job title, your salary, or the number of followers you have. Credibility is a result. A quiet one. It shows up in how people feel around you. How much they trust your words. How often they turn to you when things get chaotic. In this episode, I break down what real credibility looks like—and how you can build it, bit by bit. The credibility equation: Credibility = Credible + Ability Not charm. Not power. Not luck. Ability. And not just any ability. The world changes too fast for one skill to carry you forever. You need credible abilities—skills that are real, deep, and needed. Abilities that have your signature on them. In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why credibility isn't about degrees or job titles
• The three abilities that build real trust
• How to learn, change, and share in practical, daily ways
• Why small consistent actions matter more than big gestures
• How building credibility with others starts with trusting yourself
• The ultra marathon story that taught me about keeping promises to myself

The 3 Abilities of Credible People:

1. Ability to Learn

• Not reading 10 books a month or joining every course
• Staying hungry, interested, and open
• Reading one article with full attention
• Asking deep questions and actually listening
• Stopping to see the other side of an argument
• One line from a book, one note from a conversation, one honest look at a mistake

1. Ability to Change

• Big changes never happen overnight, but bit by bit they transform you
• Your mind doesn't like sudden change, but it respects small steps
• Wake 6 minutes earlier, not 60
• Notice when you snap at people
• Drink one glass of water when you wake up
• One shift at a time builds silent credibility

1. Ability to Share

• Credible people aren't just good—they're generous
• Share what you're learning, even if it's messy
• Create something small each day: a line, a note, a post, a sketch
• Say thank you, give feedback, appreciate without reason
• Sharing says: "I'm not scared. I'm growing. Let's grow together."

What I do every day: ✓ Pick one thing to learn (sometimes just a page from a book) ✓ Pick one small change (could be drinking water early, standing while working for 5 minutes) ✓ Pick one thing to share (a line I wrote, a journal message, a kind word) No pressure. No show. Just small, credible actions. Key insights:

• Credibility doesn't come from being perfect—it comes from being real
• People don't trust you because you know everything—they trust you because you're honest about what you don't know
• When you build credibility with yourself, others can feel it
• Small actions repeated become who you are
• Credibility is not a crown someone gives you—it's a mirror you build for yourself

Your challenge this week: Every day, pick:

• One thing to learn
• One thing to change
• One thing to share

Repeat tomorrow. Then again. Not because you have to, but because it slowly rewires you into the kind of person people trust—including yourself. Perfect for you if:

• You want people to trust you for who you are, not what you have
• You're tired of chasing external validation
• You want to build something real that lasts
• You believe actions speak louder than titles
• You're ready to grow bit by bit

Connections to previous episodes: This ties into "The Prefrontal Workout" (building mental muscles), "Good Habits Stealing Your Peace" (gentle change), "Why I Almost Didn't Write This Book" (sharing despite fear), and "10 Life Lessons from Jack Ma" (better than first). Credibility isn't given. It's built. Bit by bit. This podcast is your companion for growth, motivation, and becoming someone you trust. Come back whenever you need a reminder that small steps matter. We're building something beautiful together—one bit at a time. Topics covered: credibility, trust, personal brand, professional growth, self-improvement, daily habits, learning, adaptability, sharing knowledge, authenticity, reputation building, consistency, personal development, character building, integrity, growth mindset, bit by bit philosophy, practical wisdom

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/be-better-bit-by-bit--4216679/support.

Thanks for listening!

If this episode helped you, I'd love to stay connected.

About me: I'm a CA ranker (AIR 48), ultra-marathon runner, and author with 20 years of work experience.  I believe in getting better bit by bit—through daily journaling, honest reflection, and small actions.

Here's how we can work together:
📱 Download UPLY - Our app for daily growth and mindfulness
📚 Read my books & journals - Available on Amazon (search my name - Nishith Goyal)
 🌐 Visit bebetterbitbybit.com - Free resources, blog posts, and more
🎯 Join my workshops - I teach journaling, mental wellness, and the GATE concept

One bit at a time, we all get better.

See you in the next episode!

A few weeks ago, I had a long run planned for the next morning. But that night, I kept scrolling through reels. "Just 10 more minutes," my mind said. I could feel two parts of me fighting. One wanted rest. One wanted comfort. That small battle? That's where the prefrontal workout begins. Your brain isn't one voice—it's many voices speaking at the same time. Some want comfort. Some want progress. Some want pleasure now. Some want a better tomorrow. In this episode, I share a powerful idea from David Eagleman's book "Incognito" that changed how I think about willpower, temptation, and making better choices. In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why your brain is like a debate between present and future
• The fascinating brain scanner experiment that proves you can train your willpower
• Four practical exercises to strengthen your decision-making muscle
• How the "two wolves" story connects to neuroscience
• Why each time you pause before giving in to temptation, you're doing a brain rep
• The Ulysses Contract and how to use it in daily life

The 4 Prefrontal Workout Exercises:

1. The Chocolate Test - Pause 30 seconds before giving in to any temptation and ask: "What will this feel like tomorrow?"
2. Ulysses Contracts - Tie yourself to the mast. Put your phone in another room. Schedule workouts with friends. Make it impossible to give in.
3. Delay the Yes - Instead of saying no forever, just delay. "I'll check Instagram in 10 minutes." Often, the craving passes.
4. Write Before You Act - Feeling an impulse? Write it down first. The act of writing slows down your short-term voice and gives your wiser self a chance.

Key insights:

• Short-term voices in your brain are loud and scream for immediate rewards
• Long-term voices are softer, quieter—unless you train them
• Like muscles, your brain's decision-making ability gets stronger with practice
• You're not trying to be perfect—you're just winning more often than before
• Each pause, each delay, each act of awareness builds strength

Why this matters: You will still feel cravings. You will still slip sometimes. And that's okay. That's human. But with these small reps, you start winning more battles. Your future self gets a fair chance against the noise of the present moment. Perfect for you if:

• You know what's right but do the opposite anyway
• You struggle with late-night scrolling, snooze buttons, or unhealthy choices
• You want practical brain science that actually works
• You need motivation to make better daily choices
• You believe in getting better bit by bit

Connections to previous episodes: This ties into "10 Life Lessons from Jack Ma" (day after tomorrow is beautiful), "Good Habits Stealing Your Peace" (gentle training), and "The Invisible Mistakes We Make" (when short-term voices win). The next time you face a craving, remember: you're not just resisting cake or putting down your phone. You're doing a rep in the gym of your brain. And with every rep, you're building the muscle that helps you live better—bit by bit. This podcast is your companion for growth, motivation, and positivity. Come back whenever you need a push, whenever you need hope, whenever you feel stuck. We're getting better together—one bit at a time. Topics covered: brain training, willpower, self-control, decision-making, prefrontal cortex, delayed gratification, impulse control, habit formation, neuroscience, practical psychology, motivation, personal development, temptation, better choices, brain science, 1% growth, bit by bit philosophy, David Eagleman

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/be-better-bit-by-bit--4216679/support.

Thanks for listening!

If this episode helped you, I'd love to stay connected.

About me: I'm a CA ranker (AIR 48), ultra-marathon runner, and author with 20 years of work experience.  I believe in getting better bit by bit—through daily journaling, honest reflection, and small actions.

Here's how we can work together:
📱 Download UPLY - Our app for daily growth and mindfulness
📚 Read my books & journals - Available on Amazon (search my name - Nishith Goyal)
 🌐 Visit bebetterbitbybit.com - Free resources, blog posts, and more
🎯 Join my workshops - I teach journaling, mental wellness, and the GATE concept

One bit at a time, we all get better.

See you in the next episode!

You wake up at 5 AM. You never miss a workout. You read every day. You say yes to every opportunity. People admire your discipline. You admire it too. But sometimes... it doesn't feel good. This episode is about something we don't talk about enough: what happens when the habits that make you proud quietly steal your peace. My wake-up call: Last Tuesday, I sat down with my five journals. Morning pages. Gratitude. Goals. Reflections. Book notes. I opened the first one. Stared at the blank page. Closed it. By the fifth journal, I just sat there. And for the first time in months, I asked myself a real question: "Am I doing this for peace? Or just to feel proud?" The answer scared me. In this episode, you'll discover:

• The hidden discomfort of "perfect" habits that quietly drain you
• Why performance without presence is just pressure
• How to tell if your habits serve you or own you
• The difference between habits that make you look better vs. feel better
• What happened when I softened my routines (and what came back)
• How to keep growing without the constant pressure

Key insights:

• Some habits make you look better. Others make you feel better. They're not always the same.
• Just because something is "good for you" doesn't mean it's good for you right now
• You don't need to break habits—just break the attachment to them
• Swap "always" for "sometimes," "perfect" for "enough," "more" for "meaningful"
• The point of good habits isn't to impress people—it's to make you feel good about being alive

What I did differently:

• Instead of five journals, I picked one—the one that felt right
• Instead of forcing a 5K run, I took a 10-minute walk
• Instead of "never eating sugar again," I said "not today" to that cookie
• Instead of waking at 5 AM forever, I slept until I felt rested. Just once.

What came back: Stillness. The kind of peace that doesn't need tracking. That doesn't post well on social media. That just feels like... life. Perfect for you if:

• Your "perfect" day leaves you feeling like a robot
• You're doing everything right but still feel tired, restless, anxious
• You need permission to soften your routines
• You're attached to habits that no longer serve you
• You want to grow gently, not grind relentlessly

Connections to previous episodes: This ties into "The Invisible Mistakes We Make" (giving time away), "Why I Almost Didn't Write This Book" (permission and pressure), and "When Pain Breaks You Open" (letting light in through the cracks). I still believe in 1% daily growth. But I'm learning there's a difference between consistent effort and constant pressure. One builds you up. The other wears you down. Tonight, before you plan tomorrow's perfect routine, ask yourself: "Will this add peace to my life? Or just polish to my image?" Topics covered: good habits, healthy habits burnout, productivity burnout, self-improvement trap, performance vs presence, gentle growth, rest and recovery, perfectionism, habit attachment, sustainable habits, mental health, peace over performance, 1% growth, bit by bit philosophy, self-compassion, mindful productivity

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/be-better-bit-by-bit--4216679/support.

Thanks for listening!

If this episode helped you, I'd love to stay connected.

About me: I'm a CA ranker (AIR 48), ultra-marathon runner, and author with 20 years of work experience.  I believe in getting better bit by bit—through daily journaling, honest reflection, and small actions.

Here's how we can work together:
📱 Download UPLY - Our app for daily growth and mindfulness
📚 Read my books & journals - Available on Amazon (search my name - Nishith Goyal)
 🌐 Visit bebetterbitbybit.com - Free resources, blog posts, and more
🎯 Join my workshops - I teach journaling, mental wellness, and the GATE concept

One bit at a time, we all get better.

See you in the next episode!

I picked up Max Tegmark's "Life 3.0" thinking I'd learn about AI and the future of technology. I didn't expect to be pulled 13.8 billion years back in time. And I definitely didn't expect to cry. As I read about the Big Bang, the birth of stars, and how life first appeared, I kept thinking about my 14-year-old daughter. And I realized: someone should have told me this story when I was a kid. This episode isn't a book review. It's me, as a father, sharing what I learned about where we come from, what we're made of, and what this means for our children. In this episode, you'll discover:

• The 13.8 billion year journey from the Big Bang to you
• Why the calcium in your bones was once inside a star
• How we are literally made of stardust
• The three stages of life: biological, cultural, and technological
• Why "bit by bit" isn't just my philosophy—it's how the universe works
• What Life 3.0 (AI) means for the next generation
• How to tell your kids this cosmic story in a way that feels magical

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/be-better-bit-by-bit--4216679/support.

Thanks for listening!

If this episode helped you, I'd love to stay connected.

About me: I'm a CA ranker (AIR 48), ultra-marathon runner, and author with 20 years of work experience.  I believe in getting better bit by bit—through daily journaling, honest reflection, and small actions.

Here's how we can work together:
📱 Download UPLY - Our app for daily growth and mindfulness
📚 Read my books & journals - Available on Amazon (search my name - Nishith Goyal)
 🌐 Visit bebetterbitbybit.com - Free resources, blog posts, and more
🎯 Join my workshops - I teach journaling, mental wellness, and the GATE concept

One bit at a time, we all get better.

See you in the next episode!

I've been building something bit by bit. It's called UPLY. An app about 1% daily growth. Recently, I stumbled upon Jack Ma's 10 messages to young entrepreneurs and couldn't help but smile. I've lived these lines—sometimes unknowingly—while building my platforms 'Be Better Bit-By-Bit' and UPLY. In this episode, I share how each of Jack Ma's 10 lessons showed up in my own journey—from writing one small journal to creating multiple books, journals, and an app that helps people grow 1% at a time. The 10 lessons and how I lived them:

1. Dream big, really big - From one journal to books, card decks, and UPLY
2. The bigger the problem, the greater the opportunity - Building an app with no time, no tech background, no roadmap
3. Today is tough, but the day after tomorrow is beautiful - From barely finishing 5K to completing 50K ultras
4. Focus on the customer - I'm not making journals, I'm making space for people to breathe
5. Learn from competitors, but never copy - Why UPLY feels human, not like a dashboard
6. Better than first - I was late to everything, but I showed up daily
7. Find opportunity in crisis - How COVID gave birth to 'Be Better Bit-By-Bit'
8. Use competitor's strength against them - In a world of sticky apps, we built one that lets go
9. Don't dwell on mistakes - We printed 1,000 journals without page numbers (and survived)
10. Team works for the goal - Everyone who believes small steps matter has already joined

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/be-better-bit-by-bit--4216679/support.

Thanks for listening!

If this episode helped you, I'd love to stay connected.

About me: I'm a CA ranker (AIR 48), ultra-marathon runner, and author with 20 years of work experience.  I believe in getting better bit by bit—through daily journaling, honest reflection, and small actions.

Here's how we can work together:
📱 Download UPLY - Our app for daily growth and mindfulness
📚 Read my books & journals - Available on Amazon (search my name - Nishith Goyal)
 🌐 Visit bebetterbitbybit.com - Free resources, blog posts, and more
🎯 Join my workshops - I teach journaling, mental wellness, and the GATE concept

One bit at a time, we all get better.

See you in the next episode!

For two years, I wrote everything except the book. Blog posts. LinkedIn articles. Even grocery lists with more enthusiasm than usual. But the book? I couldn't open the file. "Who are you to write about this?" That voice kept me stuck for two years. In this episode, I share the raw, honest story of why I almost didn't write "The GATE Way" — and what finally changed everything. In this episode, you'll hear:

• The voice of doubt that paralysed me for two years
• How I mastered "productive procrastination" (research, desk organising, app hunting)
• The morning run that changed everything
• Why was I waiting for permission that would never come
• The difference between academic expertise and lived experience
• How I finally opened that draft file and started writing

Perfect for you if:

• You have something to share, but feel unqualified
• Imposter syndrome is keeping you stuck
• You're waiting to feel "ready enough" to start
• You have a project in your draft folder collecting dust
• You need permission to share your story (here it is)

This isn't about writing books. It's about having the courage to share what you've learned, even when doubt says you're not enough.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/be-better-bit-by-bit--4216679/support.

Thanks for listening!

If this episode helped you, I'd love to stay connected.

About me: I'm a CA ranker (AIR 48), ultra-marathon runner, and author with 20 years of work experience.  I believe in getting better bit by bit—through daily journaling, honest reflection, and small actions.

Here's how we can work together:
📱 Download UPLY - Our app for daily growth and mindfulness
📚 Read my books & journals - Available on Amazon (search my name - Nishith Goyal)
 🌐 Visit bebetterbitbybit.com - Free resources, blog posts, and more
🎯 Join my workshops - I teach journaling, mental wellness, and the GATE concept

One bit at a time, we all get better.

See you in the next episode!

Content Warning: This episode discusses grief, loss, and deep emotional pain. Three months after losing someone I loved, I sat on my bed at 5:30 AM with my running shoes on, unable to move. Just crying. Still unable to breathe right. This is my story of what happened when suffering broke me wide open. This isn't a motivational episode. There's no "5 steps to heal" or "how to get over grief quickly." This is just honest talk about pain that stays. About loss that changes you. And about what I learned in the valley. In this episode, I share:

• What grief actually feels like (the ocean, not the wave)
• How pain strips away everything fake and shows you what really matters
• The run that saved me (crying for 5 kilometers)
• What my journal held when I couldn't speak
• How suffering taught me gratitude, strength, and connection
• Why transformation happens in the valley, not on the mountain

You'll hear about:

• Viktor Frankl's wisdom on changing ourselves when we can't change our situation
• David Brooks' insight that "suffering breaks us open"
• Small sacred moments: a daughter's laugh, a friend's text, rain on windows
• How pain makes you gentler with others
• Why I don't wait for "someday" anymore

This episode is for you if:

• You're grieving right now and feel alone
• You've lost someone and the pain won't leave
• You're in the valley and wondering if you'll ever climb out
• You need someone to say: "Take your time. You're not broken."
• You want honest talk about pain, not toxic positivity

No fake motivation. No rushing your healing. Just real talk about surviving, breathing, and healing bit by bit.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/be-better-bit-by-bit--4216679/support.

Thanks for listening!

If this episode helped you, I'd love to stay connected.

About me: I'm a CA ranker (AIR 48), ultra-marathon runner, and author with 20 years of work experience.  I believe in getting better bit by bit—through daily journaling, honest reflection, and small actions.

Here's how we can work together:
📱 Download UPLY - Our app for daily growth and mindfulness
📚 Read my books & journals - Available on Amazon (search my name - Nishith Goyal)
 🌐 Visit bebetterbitbybit.com - Free resources, blog posts, and more
🎯 Join my workshops - I teach journaling, mental wellness, and the GATE concept

One bit at a time, we all get better.

See you in the next episode!

Ever scroll through social media and suddenly feel like you're not good enough? Say yes to things you don't want to do? Let fear stop you from starting something new? You're not alone. And you're not broken. In this episode, I share three invisible mistakes we all make every single day—mistakes that quietly steal our peace, our time, and our potential. The three mistakes:

1. The Comparison Trap - How comparing yourself to others (and even to yourself) destroys your joy
2. Giving Time Away - Why saying yes to everything means saying no to what matters
3. Letting Fear Decide - How fear makes small daily decisions that add up to a smaller life

You'll learn:

• Why comparison is really about shame, not success
• Simple questions to ask before giving your time away
• How to notice fear without letting it control you
• Practical tools from Brené Brown, Greg McKeown, and Kristin Neff
• Small daily changes that make a big difference

Perfect for you if:

• You constantly feel behind or not good enough
• You're busy but never have time for what matters
• Fear stops you from trying new things
• You want practical tools, not just motivation

This isn't about being perfect. It's about noticing these patterns and choosing differently—one small step at a time.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/be-better-bit-by-bit--4216679/support.

Thanks for listening!

If this episode helped you, I'd love to stay connected.

About me: I'm a CA ranker (AIR 48), ultra-marathon runner, and author with 20 years of work experience.  I believe in getting better bit by bit—through daily journaling, honest reflection, and small actions.

Here's how we can work together:
📱 Download UPLY - Our app for daily growth and mindfulness
📚 Read my books & journals - Available on Amazon (search my name - Nishith Goyal)
 🌐 Visit bebetterbitbybit.com - Free resources, blog posts, and more
🎯 Join my workshops - I teach journaling, mental wellness, and the GATE concept

One bit at a time, we all get better.

See you in the next episode!

Failed your exams? Lost your job? Feeling ashamed and stuck? You're not alone. In this episode, I share my story of failing CA Finals twice, shaving my head out of shame, and how that rock bottom moment changed everything. This is about real failure, real shame, and real healing. You'll learn:

• The 3 types of shame everyone faces (and how to handle each one)
• Why shame is actually trying to help you, not hurt you
• 5 simple tools to deal with shame when it hits hard
• How to turn your biggest failure into your biggest lesson

Perfect for you if:

• You're dealing with failure right now
• You feel ashamed and don't know how to move forward
• You're tired of fake motivation and want real talk
• You've messed up and need to know it's okay

No fancy words. No toxic positivity. Just honest conversation about struggling, failing, and growing.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/be-better-bit-by-bit--4216679/support.

Thanks for listening!

If this episode helped you, I'd love to stay connected.

About me: I'm a CA ranker (AIR 48), ultra-marathon runner, and author with 20 years of work experience.  I believe in getting better bit by bit—through daily journaling, honest reflection, and small actions.

Here's how we can work together:
📱 Download UPLY - Our app for daily growth and mindfulness
📚 Read my books & journals - Available on Amazon (search my name - Nishith Goyal)
 🌐 Visit bebetterbitbybit.com - Free resources, blog posts, and more
🎯 Join my workshops - I teach journaling, mental wellness, and the GATE concept

One bit at a time, we all get better.

See you in the next episode!

Self-Honesty: The Hardest Truth You'll Ever Tell | With Nishith Goyal Why is being honest with yourself so incredibly difficult? In this powerful episode, Nishith Goyal explores the transformative journey of self-honesty and why it's the most challenging yet necessary practice for personal growth. 🎯 What You'll Discover:

• Why denial is our default mode and how it sabotages our growth
• The morning journaling practice that changed everything (4 powerful journals revealed)
• How self-honesty led to achieving All India Rank 48 in Chartered Accountancy
• Lessons from Abraham Lincoln's secret letters to himself
• The Boeing whistleblower story and the cost of speaking truth
• 5 practical steps to start practicing radical self-honesty today

Key Topics: Self-honesty, personal development, journaling, gratitude practice, morning routine, self-reflection, authenticity, mindfulness, goal achievement, mental clarity, personal growth, discipline, self-awareness, truth-telling, inner work Whether you're struggling with self-deception, looking to build better habits, or seeking genuine personal transformation, this episode offers raw insights and practical tools for confronting your inner truth. Host: Nishith Goyal - Chartered Accountant, Personal Development Enthusiast, and Daily Journaling Practitioner #SelfHonesty #PersonalGrowth #Journaling #Authenticity #SelfAwareness #MorningRoutine #Mindfulness #PersonalDevelopment #TruthTelling #InnerWork Perfect for listeners searching: self-honesty tips, how to be honest with yourself, journaling for self-discovery, personal growth podcast, morning routine habits, self-reflection practices, overcoming self-deception, building authenticity

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/be-better-bit-by-bit--4216679/support.

Thanks for listening!

If this episode helped you, I'd love to stay connected.

About me: I'm a CA ranker (AIR 48), ultra-marathon runner, and author with 20 years of work experience.  I believe in getting better bit by bit—through daily journaling, honest reflection, and small actions.

Here's how we can work together:
📱 Download UPLY - Our app for daily growth and mindfulness
📚 Read my books & journals - Available on Amazon (search my name - Nishith Goyal)
 🌐 Visit bebetterbitbybit.com - Free resources, blog posts, and more
🎯 Join my workshops - I teach journaling, mental wellness, and the GATE concept

One bit at a time, we all get better.

See you in the next episode!