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Category: Thinking Clearly

The Cost Of Travel

Published on April 21, 2022

You can travel 5,000 miles, hike to the top of 100 mountains, lounge at 50 beaches, sail all seven seas, and step foot in every country of the world…

And still not find yourself.

Sometimes outward exploration becomes synonymous with inward exploration.

But, self-discovery isn’t always the byproduct of travel.

Inward reflection is where “selves” are found.

And inward reflection doesn’t cost a thing. No planning required. No time off work needs to be submitted.

You simply need to create space for stillness.

You know, the same way you would when you step into an awe inspiring scene of nature.

See, travel can be used as a hack that elicits stillness, but don’t get it twisted…

Stillness is available to you every day. And waiting until you travel far-and-wide before you explore your inner workings is a costly way to live.

Better to create some space, put on some noise-cancelling headphones, and start doing some of that inner exploring today.

Keep Refining

Published on April 18, 2022

New rule I’m toying with: no work past 10pm (not even side-hustle work).

Here’s why: nothing past that time (for me) seems to give a higher ROI than sleep.

By that point my focus, energy, and creativity has been generally depleted to the point where the time I invest produces diminished returns—at best.

I’m better off going to sleep and doing the work in the morning when I’m replenished.

This might only save me 5 – 20 minutes.

…But, multiply that by the number of days I have left in my life?

THAT is the power of refinement.

What Are You Measuring?

Published on April 16, 2022
  • Inches?
  • Pounds?
  • Followers?

Have you ever considered measuring things like:

  • Connection?
  • Presence?
  • Laughter?

Because here’s the reality: what you measure is what’ll get your focus.

And what gets your focus gets your time, energy, and attention.

…In other words: your life.

So, the more focused you are on measuring any one particular thing, the more of your life that one particular thing will consume.

And if that’s true then I’m sure you can already see where I’m going with this.

Measure your life in how you would most love to live it—and let your time, energy, and attention flow into those things as much as you can afford.

Because a life measured in measuring tapes, scales, and social media clicks certainly isn’t equal to a life measured in deep connections, belly laughs, and moments of presence.

Playing To Win

Published on April 14, 2022

Nobody sets out to lose.

Winning is—in some way/shape/or form—the goal for all of us.

Ironically enough, not winning is often the best means to winning.

It challenges us, humbles us, evokes curiosity, and introduces us to grit—if we channel it.

If we don’t, not winning can lead to discouragement, self-doubt, and result in surrender.

And what most people will say with this insight is: never surrender; persevere; don’t give up; channel losses into fuel; ignore self-doubt etc.

Worth considering, however: if you want to start winning more, maybe the trick isn’t to force yourself to ignore feelings of discouragement, self-doubt, and surrender.

Maybe the trick to winning more is to define for yourself a game where the natural byproduct of “not winning” is humility, curiosity, and grit.

Because what you need to always consider is that you may be playing the wrong game.

When you align your aptitudes, abilities, and interests with the right type of challenge/ game, the question of “how can I motivate myself to keep going” dissolves.

And the question that quickly appears in its place is “how can I stop myself from playing this game so much so that I can eat food, interact with humans, and get more sleep.”

Becoming An Influencer

Published on April 13, 2022

Leadership is not something that’s reserved for certain people with certain titles in certain positions.

Leadership is influence. Period.

And we aren’t capable of interacting with people without influencing them in some way, shape, or form (for better and for worse).

Which means, if you interact with people, you’re a leader (yes, you).

If you don’t see yourself as a leader, maybe now is a good time to start.

Because maybe it’s this limiting belief that you’re not a leader that’s precisely what’s holding you back from leveling up in your life.

Because higher positions of leadership (influence) aren’t reserved for those who shrink to the roles they’re currently in.

Higher positions of leadership are reserved for those who outgrow their smaller roles.

The Expert Line-Cutter

Published on April 8, 2022

The Urgent is an expert line-cutter.

Each day, as The Important graciously lines itself up to be prioritized, The Urgent cuts right in front and boots it to the back of the line.

It does this over and over again, day-in and day-out.

Don’t allow this type of behavior in your house.

For what you have to realize about The Important is that it’s patient—it thinks there will always be time. It assumes that if The Urgent needs to go through all of that trouble to plot, plan, fuss, and meander its way to the front of the line, it might as well get the priority.

But, the reality is, there won’t always be time. And The Urgent will always think it’s more important than The Important. That’s its nature.

As the authority of your life, it’s your responsibility to recognize this and put clear boundaries up around prioritization.

Sometimes an urgent cut in line may be justified. But, there should rarely ever be a day when you don’t—in some way, shape, or form—work on what’s important.

Cap Your News

Published on April 4, 2022

We could easily consume news from the second we wake up until the second we go to bed and STILL not be completely filled in.

What’s worse is that most of that info we consume will be outdated by the very next day.

That’s why I consume less than 10 minutes of news per day and focus the rest of my time on building/ bettering myself and the world around me.

If you don’t put a cap on your news, the influx of information will slowly drown out every precious minute of your day it can.

Give your minutes space to breathe. Air them out from the influx. Put up some damns and focus more of your time on doing work that’s important to you.

Heck—create your own damn news.