Category: Thinking Clearly

Curveballs Never Come At Good Times

Published on October 3, 2023

…And without missing a beat, life throws a curveball my way two days after the launch of my new guide and breaks my website.

Hopefully it’s fixed by the time you read this, but when you click on that above link, at the time of this writing, you get the dreaded “404 error message.” And not only on that page… but on EVERY PAGE OF MY WEBSITE (except the homepage).

Which means, of course, that everybody who tries to “Learn More” about the guide from all of the sharing I’ve done, will be met with a 404 error page instead.

…And then likely click away and forget about it altogether.

Not to mention all the people who were hoping to read one of my blogs, collected quotes, or short stories who will be met with the same.

And it is in this state of frustration that I am reminded of two timeless lessons:

(1) Expect curveballs — especially when you least want them. That way, if they don’t come, it’ll be cause for celebration! And if they do, well… you were expecting them

(2) Relax — I did what I could do. I contacted my IT team. They got to work on it. And they’re going to send me updates. There’s nothing else I can do (short of learn the entire inner workings of a website and try to fix this issue myself—a task requiring hundreds if not thousands of hours of learning). And while updates every 12-24 hours sounds awfully long, it pales in comparison to that alternative.

Curveballs never come at good times.

But, it’s always a good time to practice adjusting to the curveballs that are thrown.

Grand Champion Class

Published on October 2, 2023

“That was probably the worst kata I have ever done.”

…Was said by the martial arts competitor who won the grand champion division at a tournament I attended this past weekend.

Now, for those who don’t know, kata is a pattern of moves that are performed in martial arts as a means to practice self-defense without needing a partner.

And the grand champion division takes the winners from several different divisions and has them compete against each other to determine a “winner of the winners.”

What’s more about the above line is that this competitor said it after he found out he won.

While it may very well be true that from his perspective it was the “worst” kata he had ever done, I (and several other competitors) found it to be quite distasteful. What he was saying, essentially, was even his worst kata was better than everybody else’s best katas.

To which I say: keep it classy.

Be humble—in victory and defeat.

Keep comments that demean others (whether directly or indirectly) to yourself. And be grateful for your talents, opportunities, and surrounding competitors. You won’t always be in the position you’re in. And when you no longer are—it’s only a matter of time—people might not remember that specific tournament…

…But, they’ll always remember how you made them feel.

And making people feel like crap isn’t a good strategy for any worthwhile means or end.

P.s. If you share my new guide on any social platform, I’ll send you the first three meditations free! Just reply to this email and let me know you did it. Thanks in advance!

Leashing Your Mind

Published on September 29, 2023

When I take my dog for a walk, I follow a premeditated path and she follows the pulls of the leash.

My dog without her leash is like my mind without focus—ready to wander, deviate, explore, circle, double back—all aimlessly—and in whichever direction the circumstances pull.

The leash I use with her is a tool that keeps her on track, just like my noise cancelling headphones, silent mode on my phone, and a block of uninterrupted time—are all tools that help keep my mind focused and following a premeditated train of thought.

Walk your (untrained) dog without a leash and good luck following any kind of premeditated path. Walk your dog on too tight of a leash and neither of you will have a very good time.

Somewhere in the middle—where there’s a modestly sized leash and a patient demeanor—lies an ideal experience for both dog and walker that covers the premeditated ground while also leaving space for mini-explorations and imaginative deviations along the way.

P.s. The Art of Forward: Consistency > Intensity drops TOMORROW! You guys will be the first to see. Thanks for your ongoing support and readership. I hope you love it :)

Complete Tasks Completely

Published on September 28, 2023

Some tasks build competence and some build character.

Clearly distinguishing which type of task you’re in helps tremendously in the doing of the task completely.

The problem I see too often is character building tasks are resented, rushed through, outsourced, automated, or just plain ignored. And competence building tasks are done half-assedly—with distractions galore, via accelerated means (2x playback speed), and in hopes of becoming a master minus the hours.

It’s a whole bunch of tasks being done minus the deliberate which equals… wasted time.

…When all that’s needed is a little extra attention to reap full benefits from (and this is the key) the things you’re already doing.

This is why it can feel like what you’re doing isn’t enough… because you’re not present enough; why you can feel unproductive even when you’re busy as ever… because you’re not fully doing any of your tasks; why you can feel stagnant even when you’re checking off all the items on your “supposed to-do lists…” because growth comes from the deliberate that’s missing when you’re hurrying.

The trick isn’t in the realigning of everything in your day… it’s in the realigning of the how you’re doing what you’re already doing in your day.

When you’re doing a character building task like washing dishes, folding laundry, cleaning up trash… be there. Don’t rush; do the work slowly. Don’t think about finishing; flex that self-discipline muscle and focus on correctly.

When you’re doing a competence building task like studying, training, or practicing… be there. Don’t try to expedite the process; take your time. Don’t hurry; do it deliberately. Try to truly absorb the material and flex that patience muscle.

Complete tasks completely.

There Is No Substitute For Quality Time

Published on September 27, 2023

…Period.

When it comes to family? …There is no substitute for quality time.
When it comes to friends? …There is no substitute for quality time.
When it comes to personal growth? …There is no substitute for quality time.
When it comes to creative work? …There is no substitute for quality time.
When it comes to business growth? …There is no substitute for quality time.

The repetition of this message is important.

Because in a world featuring A.I. advancements, virtual reality, virtual assistants, done-for-you growth packages, algorithmic connection, and so on… the opposite message is being sent infinitely more times than what’s listed above.

It’s more important now than ever before to remind yourself…

…There is no substitute for quality time.

P.s. The Art of Forward (Part 2): Consistency > Intensity is DONE. The big drop happens THIS weekend. Sneak peak here and here. Stay tuned…! You’re going to see it here first :)

Whole Ordeal? Or Happy Opportunity?

Published on September 26, 2023

My neighbor is a retired florist with several decades of experience.

She now makes arrangements out of her house as a side gig.

…And they’re outstanding.

One Saturday, I got a call from this neighbor asking me if my mom was still going to be picking up an order that was placed. After speaking with my mom, it quickly became obvious that I got the dates wrong.

The arrangement was supposed to be made for the following weekend and there she was, waiting with an arrangement on the current weekend.

So, what did my mom do?

…Went and picked it up. Paid for it in full. Said nothing of the confusion on my part. And said to me, “This is perfect—I’ll give them to Marvin (her partner) as a just-because gift.”

And what could’ve been a whole ordeal turned into a happy opportunity.

Food for thought for the next time you’re going through a “whole ordeal” yourself.

Serious About Solitude

Published on September 21, 2023

“Without solitude, no great work is possible.”
Pablo Picasso

As I sit here and reflect on some of the great works of my life—it is undeniably true that solitude was present in each of them.

For every assignment I was proud of in school—solitude was present.
For every martial arts performance I still love to rewatch on YouTube—countless hours were spent in solitude training.
For every article I share with pride—including these short, daily pieces I email out daily—solitude happened.

And my guess is, if you’re having a hard time producing work that you feel is great—you’re probably also the type who’s having a hard time finding solitude in your day.

But, let it be known, if not from me then from Picasso himself—solitude is a necessary ingredient for great work.

And if you’re serious about wanting to produce great work, then get serious about prioritizing solitude into your days.

Be it by waking up earlier, eliminating excess screen time, deleting unnecessary tasks, rearranging the tasks of your day, or buying a pair of over-the-ear headphones that you can start wearing around the chronic distractions—be like Nike and just do it.

And for every excuse that follows and prevents you from building more solitude into your days, remember, it’s you who’s arguing against the great work potential of you.

…And what a shame to be the reason for your own withheld potential.