Bad news SHOUTS.
Good news grows quietly.
Remember this when all of the news feels overwhelmingly bad.
It’s not that it’s all bad, it’s that your good is humbly growing while your bad is temper tantruming.
Don’t let the SHOUTING deter you from seeing the good in your life.
…of being average, unworthy, and boring.
Fear, channeled, has kept my tank off “E” and engine running STRONG for years.
Don’t suppress fear; use it.
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.
Have you ever considered measuring things like:
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.
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.”
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.