How to Master Your Inner Game by Finding the Cause, Not Fighting the Effect
Mastering your inner game fundamentally requires a crucial mindset shift: stop battling the effects and start uncovering the root causes. Strategy and mindset coach Jeffrey Combs emphasizes this point clearly. Procrastination, for example, is not a cause but an effect. If you tell yourself you don’t understand why you act the way you do, you essentially forfeit your ability to respond effectively. Instead, focus your energy on identifying the underlying causes, simplify your work processes, and develop your skills rather than relentlessly chasing abstract ideas of success.
I first encountered Jeffrey Combs in San Diego, where his authenticity was immediately apparent—he personally greeted every attendee before his talk. This simple yet powerful act spoke volumes about his commitment and respect for people.
Jeffrey has coached over 9,000 clients and boasts more than three decades of entrepreneurial experience. His career trajectory—from network marketing in the late 1990s to public speaking and finally coaching—reflects his deep understanding of human behavior and mindset. His unique skill lies in helping people pinpoint the cause behind their recurring effects, such as procrastination or self-sabotage.
Procrastination: An Effect, Not a Cause
Jeffrey’s insight into cause and effect stems from his personal journey. He openly shares that he is a recovering addict and alcoholic, sober for over 26 years after 14 years battling substance abuse used to “dull the pain.” Yet sobriety alone did not solve all his challenges. For years, he struggled with what he calls being an “angry, dry drunk,” experiencing cycles of success followed by self-sabotage.
His breakthrough came through understanding brain science and the relationship between cause and effect. Procrastination, he explains, is the symptom, not the root problem. The true causes are embedded in a series of events and, crucially, how we interpret those events emotionally and cognitively.
By grasping this, you can release the hold of negative effects. However, if you remain stuck in denial—telling yourself you don’t know why you act a certain way—you lose the power to change. This approach aligns with psychological research indicating that self-awareness and cognitive reframing are key to overcoming maladaptive behaviors (APA, 2020).
Jeffrey’s perspective challenges the widespread approach of attacking symptoms with productivity hacks or apps. Without shifting perception and internal narrative, the same negative patterns will resurface. For a complementary viewpoint on self-sabotage and personal values, John Demartini’s insights offer additional depth here.
The Neuroscience Behind the Cause-and-Effect Lens
Curious about how Jeffrey developed his neuroscience-informed coaching, I learned that no one formally trained him in this area. Instead, his passion for reading and learning during his early sobriety years fueled his knowledge. He also collaborated with Dr. Joe Dispenza, a renowned expert on brain and mindset, even booking him for events. This exposure helped Jeffrey understand how brain chemistry forms emotional addictions and identity patterns.
Dr. Dispenza’s work, extensively documented in his bestselling books and lectures, highlights neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire itself through intentional practice. This concept supports Jeffrey’s emphasis on rewiring perceptions to change behaviors. Our podcast interview with Dr. Dispenza further explores these transformative possibilities here.
Get Off the “Practice Shelf” and Into Action
Entrepreneurs often drown in information: podcasts, books, seminars, and courses. Jeffrey warns against the “practice shelf” syndrome, where knowledge accumulates but application stalls. This phenomenon is well-documented in behavioral psychology, where knowledge alone rarely leads to behavior change without active practice and accountability.
He bluntly states that spending on seminars and coaching is only an asset when applied; otherwise, it becomes a financial liability. Many people suffer from “analysis paralysis,” perpetually preparing but never executing. Jeffrey’s advice resonates with research showing that action—even imperfect—trumps endless preparation (Duhigg, 2016).
He cautions that waiting for a “perfect, magical moment” is a trap that leads to regret. Instead, a systemized, methodical approach reduces overwhelm and procrastination, allowing consistent progress toward goals.
Inner Knowing Over Technical Know-How
Jeffrey highlights a fundamental tension: formal education and societal norms reward analytical, logical thinking but often stifle creativity and intuitive insight. Skills like branding, vision, and innovation derive from “inner knowing” rather than technical expertise alone.
This distinction aligns with cognitive science research showing that creativity and problem-solving benefit from access to subconscious intuition and emotional intelligence (Goleman, 1995). Jeffrey encourages people to “do less and be more,” cultivating presence and trust in their internal guidance rather than chasing external validation or more knowledge.
Training Your Inner Ear: Listening to What’s Meant, Not Said
One of Jeffrey’s key coaching points is learning to listen beyond words to the unspoken meaning and emotional cues. The best way to train this “inner ear” is by quieting the “egoic mind” and analytical chatter—a practice supported by mindfulness research.
He advocates for “goal-getting”: achieving results through focused, intentional effort without being trapped in the endless search for external solutions. The problem is never outside; it always resides within. Detachment from outcomes and managing anxiety around results is essential to maintaining flow and presence.
Simplify or Live in Fight-or-Flight
Jeffrey underscores the power of simplicity in entrepreneurship. Complexity breeds disorganization, which leads to overwhelm and triggers the brain’s fight-or-flight response. Chronic stress, as neuroscience confirms, impairs decision-making and creativity (McEwen, 2007).
On the flip side, simple, repeatable processes foster calm, confidence, and mastery. Repetition creates reflexive responses, allowing you to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. This cycle breaks the “addiction to disappointment,” a harmful feedback loop many unknowingly live in.
For entrepreneurs, this means focusing on one clear offer and one checklist of priorities rather than chasing perfection or multitasking endlessly.
Skills Over Success: The Long Game
Jeffrey draws a critical distinction between focusing on success versus focusing on skills. The most successful people he coaches operate quietly, consistently honing their abilities without seeking applause. Their habits and skills compound over time, creating sustainable achievement.
This approach echoes findings in habit formation research: deliberate practice and consistency are more important than sporadic bursts of effort or chasing quick wins (Ericsson, 2008). Instant gratification often leads to disappointment because true mastery demands patience and repetition.
Jeffrey jokes that perhaps the website should be “addictedtoskills.com,” emphasizing the value of skill-building over outcome chasing.
Be Patient While You’re Productive
Patience is a recurring theme in Jeffrey’s life and coaching philosophy. After getting sober at 31, he initially craved immediate sobriety milestones but soon realized that patience is a state of being, not just an action.
Patience combined with productivity creates a compounding effect—steady, consistent effort over time leads to mastery. Focusing solely on results without cultivating the underlying skills is a recipe for frustration.
Jeffrey’s best advice to himself and others is to listen to your intuition, trust what you feel, and align actions with your internal guidance. This authentic self-trust is foundational for lasting transformation.
I have personally witnessed many friends experience profound breakthroughs through Jeffrey’s coaching, affirming his expertise and trustworthiness. His work is available at goldenmastermind.com.
How to Master Your Inner Game: 7 Practical Steps
- Name the effect you repeatedly experience, such as procrastination, quitting, or self-sabotage.
- Identify the underlying event and perception that cause this effect.
- Choose one book or course you’ve already purchased and apply its lessons this week before acquiring more.
- Simplify one process until it’s repeatable even on your worst days.
- Focus on building a skill rather than chasing a specific result.
- Do the work and release attachment to the outcome—watching the pot won’t make it boil.
- Measure progress against your personal best, not others, one day at a time.
FAQ
What does it mean to master your inner game?
It means understanding the thoughts, perceptions, and emotional patterns driving your behavior so you can change causes instead of fighting effects. Jeffrey Combs frames this concept through the lens of cause and effect.
Is procrastination a cause or an effect?
Procrastination is an effect. The cause typically involves a chain of events and perceptions, often exacerbated by overwhelm and waiting for a perfect moment.
What is the practice shelf?
The “practice shelf” is Jeffrey’s term for the accumulation of self-help materials that never get applied. Knowledge becomes an asset only when put into action; otherwise, it’s a liability.
How do you train your inner ear?
By getting out of your head, doing less, being more present, and trusting your inner knowing instead of constantly seeking external answers.
Why focus on skills instead of success?
Because skills produce success. The most successful individuals have strong habits and consistently practice their craft without seeking recognition or instant results.
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