Reflecting back on 2021, I see a year of challenge, renewal and momentum.
Incase you’re not a subscriber (subscribe below), or even if you are, you might have missed out on one of these gems. This is a quick recap of my top 5 blog posts of 2021 based on readership and engagement. Selfishly speaking, it was a fun exercise pulling together this content. I hope you enjoy this curated list this holiday season.
TOP 5 POSTS of 2021:
Earn Your Comfort – Happiness is NOT purchased through luxury, comfort and general ease. It’s purchased through progress and effort. Comfort is to be earned!
Starting Over. Week 1. Day 1. – Habits win out over time. This post is a reflection on where my bad habits left me earlier in 2021 (in a bad place) and the consequent journey out of a challenging time in my life.
The Four Pillars of Progress – This post unlocks my pillars to vitality. If I got only these four efforts right, the rest of life falls in line because my energy, output and sleep are aligned accordingly. The older I get, the more I’m focused on these efforts.
Greenlights and Havard Business Review Collide – Life is undoubtably a journey of managing the +/- being thrown at us. At times, momentum is effortless and we “find our frequency” and flow in the journey. This post will help you pay attention to times when it is all clicking. Pay attention to what you’re doing, who you’re with and how you feel. Be on the lookout for your own Greenlights.
Career Advice: Leave a Dent! – I made a large career change late in 2021. This change left me reflecting back on all the connections I’d made and the impactful moments I’d shared along the way. Business comes and goes, but we can always make sure to leave people with a lasting impact!
Looking forward into 2022 I will use the momentum generated from these posts to continue delivering my unique (Keen) perspective to the readers out there.
~Cheers to a healthy, wealthy and fulfilled new year!
With the holiday season in full swing, the prominent question being asked, texted, emailed and discussed is, “What do you want for Christmas?”
I’d like to pursue wealth.
Let that sink in for a moment. Kind of tough to put wrapping paper around that one…let alone find a box.
Now read the thought below from Epictetus (Shared by Ryan Holiday on The Daily Stoic).
The more I think about the blinding commercial spirit of Christmas in 2021, the more I can come up with a seemingly long list of unnecessary “things” I desire this year.
Mind you, I’m nearly 40…so the secret of Santa is out, and having a Christmas list at my age is a touch ridiculous.
But, what if instead of pursuing a Christmas wishlist, we removed the holiday seasonality from the original ask and thought more broadly and simply.
What do I want?
I’m going to give you a short list of considerations on my list and more importantly HOW I’m thinking about them. Having spent two decades in the world of marketing, I’m consistently reminded of the true power and trance like pull of BRANDING and the stories we tell ourselves about needs, wants and value.
The considerations listed below are what I believe are those really nice to have, but certainly not necessary things I think many of us think about, and sometimes pine over.
Transportation – I’ve looked and looked and looked at purchasing a “fancier” car. Specifically I’ve looked into a BMW our Audi purchase a few times (maybe a few too many). The vehicle would be sleek, stylish, and downright sexy with European styling and finishes. Truth be told, it wouldn’t break the bank and “I’ve earned it”…right? Then I start asking the hard question. WHY DO I WANT IT? At the end of the day it’s really just transportation and I have more than suitable means anyway. I guess I’m thinking I’d earn a bit of prestige or steal a look from onlookers as I roll by, but that’s really just ego talking. I’m convinced it could make me happier and possibly even grow my confidence…but how long would that luster last? A week, maybe two? Then I’d just be paying for a depreciating asset that gets me from [A – – > B] just the same as my Grand Cherokee…which is perfectly functional. I’ll set this one aside for now for I believe although I may enjoy it, I don’t know if it will truly make me happier or more fulfilled.
Watch – Any self respecting achieving man and Ray Donovan viewer knows you need a badass watch on your wrist if you’ve “made it” in life. If you’re really CRUSHING IT, you’ll have a few to choose from laying nicely in a finely finished wooden collectors box. I fashioned myself in a Rolex or a Tag Heuer “timepiece” (not a watch…DUH). Then I start asking the hard question. WHY DO I WANT IT? At first I was going to commemorate a business deal. It would carry with it a STRONG sense of achievement. A timeless reminder of pursuit and accomplishment. But really, at the end of the day a (functioning) watch tells time. Does anyone I’m interacting with on a daily basis care how I get the time? Doubtful. I’ve chosen to pass on this one for now as well and I’m not sure if I ever get there.
I’d like to state I have absolutely no ill will for those driving luxury cars or wearing a fine timepiece. I hope they love them and the love their decisions. It’s also important to note, I have ZERO idea how any of these people arrived at their purchase decision, nor is it up to me! Cheers to you! Celebrate it.
That said, this isn’t a post about things. It’s a post about thoughts regarding things. For me, this is when I go back and read the words of Epictetus.
Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.
I can’t say if I’m “wealthy” by Epictetus’ definition, but I’m certainly in pursuit. After all, I still have wants. They find me almost every day. Maybe they’re not wants, maybe they’re desires. But I’m able to step back and think critically through them without being pulled by the strong tethers of emotion.
Furthering on this thought, the stoics are masters at positioning. Being mindful of what things really are when they are distilled down to their essence. Marcus Aurelius summarizes it perfectly in this quote,
“How good it is when you have roast meat or suchlike foods before you, to impress on your mind that this is the dead body of a fish, this is the dead body of a bird or pig; and again, that the Falernian wine is the mere juice of grapes, and your purple edged robe simply the hair of a sheep soaked in shell-fish blood!
I enjoy life and appreciate indulging in the “finer things” as much as the next. But they won’t own me, for that wouldn’t fulfill my wishful Christmas ask. True wealth sits not in a number or stuff. Wealth is about FREEDOM.
I find myself writing this on the heels of making a big career move. In nearly 20 years, it’s really only the second one of my career and I find myself reflecting on the last seven years spent with my team.
The advice I give teammates about departing talent is always the same. “When a person departs…I hope they left a dent,” I’d say. Why would I say that?
Here’s why a person needs to leave a DENT:
It shows the work they were contributing really mattered
It shows other people counted on them for: insight, or advice, or thoughtfulness in a tough time
If their work didn’t matter…why were they there in the first place?
If their work didn’t matter, what do you think it was like going home for them? Or, what do you think a Monday morning felt like? Pretty flat.
A dent is a noticeable blemish. Yet, it isn’t catastrophic in nature like a wheel was removed from the bike in departure. Leave an impact…not a mess. The work will go on and you hope the team prospers in their endeavors!
Imagine a teammate leaving, and the following day someone says, “Where did Mike go?” The answer is met with some vague shrug of the shoulders description and everyone goes right back to what they were doing. What an empty feeling for Mike and the team!! You think he didn’t know that in the days or weeks leading up to him leaving?
Leaving a dent means you’ll miss things about your coworkers and company.
Leaving a DENT isn’t about deals or money
I’m incredibly fortunate to have team members reach out and say some VERY kind words in my departure. Not a single one of them was about a piece of business won, or revenue generated, or a P&L. They’re all about making an impact in each others lives. As proof, I’m posting a few of them below. Selfish as it may seem, I’d like to come back to them in the future and this will be a great place to do just that.
Almost everyone will eventually depart. When you do, LEAVE A DENT!
To my colleagues who took the time to put your words in writing. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!
Man I hate to see you go. I’m sure you will fill us all in on your new adventure in due time. I certainly wish you nothing but the best of luck. I will miss you my friend – and I thank you for the opportunity and pleasure to work with you. I’m excited for you Zac. Thank you for everything.
I was saddened to hear you’re leaving Mindstream but completely understand wanting to do something new! It’s been a pleasure working with you the past 5 years and I’ve always appreciated your positivity in any scenario. I’m so grateful for all the support you’ve shown me and just wanted to say thank you! I wish you all the best and hope our paths cross again.
Morning! Long time no chat : ) A lot has changed since the 2019, pre covid, good ole days ha. Saw the Friday vid and wanted to make sure I got a good luck in prior to you leaving. You are overall just a solid guy and a good leader – best of luck in what comes next. I know you will be great and an asset! Cheers to your next adventure!
Good morning and THANK YOU! Hi Zac, sad to hear you are leaving… I just wanted to say I appreciate all your contributions to my personal growth. All the best to you and your family!
Hey Zac. Good Luck to you!! Hate to see you go. By the way, (I know you don’t want to hear it since you are a Hawkeyes fan) but did you see that Cyclone win this weekend? I was at the game. It was so good!!! My nephew graduated from Iowa State in 2020, so we went back for the homecoming game. Have a good last week. I wish you the best.
Good luck on where you are going and thanks for all the support these past few years. I feel like I have learned a lot just from being part of the conversations that you led. Wish you the best in your next leadership role!
Zac, it’s been an honor to work alongside you! I wish you luck in the future and I hope we cross paths again. Thanks for everything!
I am heading to the airport soon but just wanted to say I have really enjoyed working with you the last couple years. You taught me a lot and I always appreciated your positivity and upbeat energy you bring. New business will definitely have a void without you but wanted to wish you well on your next endeavor
I was OOO Friday and just now learned of your departure. That makes me sad, but sincerely happy you have the opportunity to follow a new path in life. I wanted to thank you for the coaching, assistance and partnership as we’ve worked to together over the past couple of years. I’ve learned a lot from you. Thanks for for everything! It’s been a true pleasure working with you. Wishing you much success with your new gig.
I am sad to hear about your departure, but excited for you and your new opportunity. You will be greatly missed! I have enjoyed getting to know you and working with you over these past few years. I remember meeting you at Meso Maya when merger talks were in progress when we hung out in that upstairs room eating great Mexican food. I have always been impressed with your enthusiasm and passion for our business! I always learn something when we talk. I just wish there had more opportunities for us to get to know each other better/work more together.
Know this! I’m faaaaaarr from perfect. I don’t think everyone had the same feeling. I made a boatload of mistakes along the way. I also leave with confidence knowing…I left a DENT!
I used to think the goal of life was to seek or retire into comfort. Some would do this at 45, others maybe 75…but retire nonetheless. Comfortable. In the meantime during the pursuit, I’d take some time out of every week to be…comfortable.
I’m now convinced this couldn’t be further from the truth. The goal of life is continued progress. Working through hard things, for the benefit of personal growth and progress.
Someday when I do retire, I want to arrive there knowing it was EARNED.
“We must all either wear out or rust out, every one of us. My choice is to wear out.” — Theodore Roosevelt
Unearned or continued comfort is called laziness. Reminds me of the Seven Deadly Sins and the sin of Sloth. But sloth isn’t only laziness, it is also carelessness, unwillingness to act, half-hearted effort, or becoming easily discouraged by possible difficulty.
When Everything is Satisfaction
Too much of a good thing, connects my thoughts to the often used analogy of the “rich kid, with a cocaine habit!” Everything given to him, such that he works for nothing, appreciates nothing, is motivated by nothing because there was no struggle to achieve what was gifted (in this instance, money and time). Instead of work and progress toward a goal, he focuses his efforts and energy on a substance that gives him that lonely “high” he’s searching for. That comfort and release he’s been so desperately looking for. When everything is satisfaction and easy, satisfaction is unearned and empty.
Friday Feels
There is something really wonderful about a Friday evening after you’ve made the most of a week kicking ass Monday through Friday. Earning the opportunity to have a great dinner, or a cocktail, or simply to put your feet up, feels infinitely better when reflecting on progress of a week vs. just moving through the motions.
Challenge Comfort with Progress
Tony Robbins says, “Progress equals Happiness!” This is exactly what I think “earning comfort” looks like. Progress, reward. Progress, reward. Progress, reward. Say it out loud. It FEELS DAMN GOOD! It feels like momentum. This is exactly why successful people continue to be successful oftentimes in greater magnitudes. They’ve generated tremendous momentum and they literally can’t be stopped. Successful people generate too much momentum and have reservoirs of progress to tap into when they hit a lull.
Rich Roll Said it Best
I shared this in my last post, and I think it’s worth sharing here again. Rich Roll on happiness.
Rich Roll says the following: “We’re in a culture that is driving everybody toward this idea that happiness is purchased through luxury, comfort and ease. And the truth could not be more different from that reality. If you want to find peace with yourself, self understanding, self knowledge, self esteem, all of these things are going to be found through: sacrifice, getting uncomfortable, re-evaulating what your normal is and putting yourself in situations you don’t want to f*cking do” “RICH ROLL PODCAST – EPISODE 413”
The Answer in Children’s Eyes
I’ll leave you with this. My son is currently learning how to read real books and it’s an exciting engagement every night we dive into a book (< – – – insert challenge). We work with him every week on learning new words from school, but this isn’t about learning “level 3 words” as much as it is about feels to me. The reaction a child produces when they learn something new is astounding. You can literally see the spark in their eyes, and their physiology changes in an instant due to the challenge just conquered. The world is theirs for a moment! More importantly, momentum is earned and stored to tackle the next phase of learning and the next challenge.
We’re all evolved children. You need that spark. I need that spark. We must combat boredom with progress and earn our comfort.
I despise starting over. But beginning Feb. 26, 2021…that’s exactly where I was.
I spent that cold Iowa Friday night with some friends on the golf simulator at our golf course. A few too many beers and a few months of COVID (family, business, life) stress led me to making a decision I knew I’d regret as I’d spent years staying clear of it.
I’d chew tobacco again. But it wasn’t really that I’d chew again that specific night, it was more that I’d been doing a lesser version of this same habit (Camel Snus) for a few months in 2020 and most importantly – – – – > hiding it from my wife. But this night it was the real stuff and it was placed directly against my gums…and it tasted G-R-E-A-T. It was sending ALL the signals to my brain I knew I’d have to fight on my hands…tomorrow.
The next day I was filled with a poor night of sleep and a titanic-sized boat load of shame with my family. I was starting over and I knew what the addiction battle that lie ahead looked like and that I needed to rebuild my body and health.
The prognosis was simple: two weeks of hell followed by bits of progress and commitment. But the good news is I’d done it before, and that was the silver lining.
Let me rewind.
I quit chewing in 2011. I know this because I kept a diary my first 100 days of quitting. Sept 12th was my first “Days Upon Days” email to myself (I’ve shared these with no one). I’d slipped up two days prior to writing this message. I was watching the Iowa vs. Iowa State game in 2011. It was a 44-41 overtime thriller and one of the last times in a decade Iowa State would beat Iowa (sorry, couldn’t resist Cyclone fans). I was six days into my quit and I’d given in. I was at my friend’s parents house (Kalli you’ll remember). Here’s proof of my first email to myself.
The following week would present the same challenge as the week before. Tailgating. Make it past seven days. Eventually I did, and continued to write about my journey the whole way, past day 100 and beyond. If I’m ever deep in a challenge, I relate back to these messages to understand what I’m capable of taking on, and what real perseverance looks and feels like. It starts as pain, and ends in progress.
At this moment in my own personal reflection, I’m quite certain you’re asking yourself, “Why is he telling me this?” “What is it about this story that needs to be shared now?”
I’m sharing because I’m staring to embrace the concept of starting over and energy of the rebuild. I’m making a game out of it.
Life isn’t a straight line and people make mistakes. God knows I’ve made my fair share and I’m sure I’ve got more waiting for me.
Most importantly, I know people this very moment struggling and battling with a variety of similar challenges and they’re all MEN I respect. I’m talking with some men daily and others weekly as they work to make progress in their journey. They’re all in different phases of the rebuild and “starting over” from any one or two of the things listed below:
Anxiety
Depression
Alcoholism
Stress from Business Collapse
Addiction
Marital Issue
Combo order of elements above (add two, shake and scream)
I’m sharing this for my friends, colleagues and peers to know they’re not alone. Everyone is dealing with some shit. The rebuild isn’t humiliating. It’s an empowering challenge. And although it may suck now, it doesn’t have to suck forever. There is a way through and it’s actually incredibly mobilizing with momentum.
Dealing with stress, or anxiety, or addiction doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human. Everybody’s got something. How do I know? Listen to this podcast with olympian Michael Phelps (23 gold medals) talking through his struggles. Tim Ferriss Show Episode 494. Michael Phelps now famously stated, “It’s OK, to not be OK!”
I love that. It’s OK, to not be OK!
If you’d like more mental resources, here is another I recently feel in love with from Rich Roll and David Goggins. Start your watch at 1:46:38 when Rich says, “Then it becomes about Willingness…”
Lastly, Rich says the following: “We’re in a culture that is driving everybody toward this idea that happiness is purchased through luxury, comfort and ease. And the truth could not be more different from that reality. If you want to find peace with yourself, self understanding, self knowledge, self esteem, all of these things are going to be found through: sacrifice, getting uncomfortable, re-evaulating what your normal is and putting yourself in situations you don’t want to f*cking do”
“Rich Roll Podcast – Episode 413”
~Damn Rich. Love this! Thank you!
One last thought I’d like to share is, “Be weary of the quick fix.”
I know I’m guilty of wanting answers and progress immediately in life, especially in times of struggle. But that’s just not likely, nor will the results stick. Results have to be trained in with habits. Good habits.
I’m reminded of lottery winners who win tens of millions in a jackpot…then go broke. Why on earth would a lottery winner go broke!?!?! Because they didn’t have good money habits in the first place. The money was transient. The habits won out. They’re broke again.
Today upon publishing this piece it’s Oct. 7th and I’m feeling really great. My body and mind are in an entirely different place than where they were six months ago. Looking back I was broken, body inflamed, stressed and tired. I still feel the temptation, and I will continue to, but that’s ok. I’m aware and being aware is the shit!
My habits are also in a different place. I’m on a mission to knock out 3,650 pull ups this year (10 per day). It’s a feat I gave up on in 2020 and only amassed 1,400 before quitting. I’m proud to say I’m nearly at 3,000 and I’m gaining momentum every day. Three months ago I started running again to get a good sweat in and free some mental space. I still don’t like running, but I love the cleanse of a good sweat.
(Good/Bad)Habits win over time!
Choose your habits wisely.
If any element of this post hits with you, I’d share with you one final quote,
Henceforth, I will consider each day’s effort as but one blow of my blade against a mighty oak. The first blow may cause not a tremor in the wood, nor the second, nor the third. Each blow, of itself may be trifling, and seem of no consequence. Yet from childish swipes the oak will eventually tumble. So it will be with my efforts of today
This one will be short and sweet for all of us that need to hear it.
How does fear come to life for you?
False evidence appearing real
Frantic effort to appear recovered
Future events already ruined
Fear expressed allows relief
I’ve personally been afraid of many things in my life…and yet, noneof them have come to be. Sunday is a good day to face what we believe to be true and let these thoughts hit the light of day!
I set a goal in 2021 to complete 3,650 pull ups. Pretty simple really, 10x per day, 365 days and boom…done!
Slight Edge Principles. Small actions (x) magnified by TIME = BIG RESULTS!
The psychology behind this isn’t only to do 10 per day. It’s to establish momentum doing 10 per day, EVERY DAY, such that it becomes easy and soon I’d be knocking out 20, 30, 50 or more a day. Soon repeat sets of 10 would turn into sets of 15-20. Putting me in a position of tremendous momentum to squash my mere 3,650 target and be in pursuit of 5,000+.
Except…you guessed it. That didn’t happen!
I got lost, lazy, not feeling great and forgetful in the 1st quarter of the year. Every day consequently I fell behind 10 per day for about 80-90 days. Or in bigger terms 800-900 behind my needed pace. Now what?!?!? The answer is never about moving the target to adjust for laziness.
My pull up bar is in the storage area of our basement. I mark my sets of ten with an “X” on the wall next to the bar like an inmate counting his days at Shawshank. X, X, X, X, X… There is no digital replacement for the feeling of accomplishment of scratching my lead pencil into the back of a sheet of drywall. Scratch /, scratch \…(X)DONE!
Basement Wall Pull-ups
Getting back, the 1st 10 was the hardest. Getting back in running shape, the 1st mile was the hardest. I felt like my heart was going to rip through my chest and my legs felt like heavy noodles only 1/2 mile in.
As I regained my meditation practice, the first ten minutes of calming the hamster in my mind (who happened to feel like he was on a rager!) was the ABSOLUTE hardest.
Where am I now? I’m happy to report beginning August I’m in full “catch up” mode. Knocking out at least 50 or more pull-ups a day, sometimes closer to 100. I will surpass 3,650 in 2021. Write that down.
The point of this post is about embracing the suck of starting. It’s about embracing the pain and steep learning curve of starting anything. Immediately starting or learning any new skill or engaging a new regimen is going to take perseverance. Search “Learning Curve” and look at the image.
It’s going to suck right away. I’m going to suck right away. The technique will be poor and the outcome sloppy. But that’s the point!
I was listening to Anne Lamott (author of Bird by Bird) on the Tim Ferriss podcast. She teaches the power of “Shitty First Drafts” as they lead to good second drafts and terrific third drafts. The key is putting in the work. Getting your ass in the chair and sitting down to write.
The hardest part for me in this quest is simple. Grab the bar.
Just like the hardest part of a run is lacing up my running shoes.
Grab the bar, lace’em up and embrace the suck of starting!
What’s on the other side is the momentum needed to hit targets.
I’m going to share with you a secret. I’ve been using this secret to unlock my happiness and momentum in 2021, coming off what was a challenging 2020 and 1st quarter of 2021.
The four pillars I’m going to share with you are helping to unlock my happiness, reduce tension and simply move through life with more ease, creating effortless momentum.
The Four Pillars:
Exercise
Sleep
Hydration
Meditation
I really hope at this point there is some eye-rolling happening…because of the simplicity of what was just shared.
Speaking on the note of simplicity for a moment, I find myself more in the pursuit of simplicity the older I get. I see it everywhere and when done well…it’s beautiful, its poetic and simplicity also produces power.
I look for simplicity in sports because of the rhythmic movement needed to produce a repeatable outcome. Here are a few of my favorites.
Ray Allen’s Jump Shot – Simple. Beautiful. No wasted movement. Poetic. SPLASH!
Louis Oosthuizen’s Golf Swing. Simple. Compact. Powerful.
Barry Bonds Swing – (yes he was juiced on horse steroids), but even prior to those record setting years his swing was simple. Compact. Extremely effective.
Aaron Rodgers Passing Motion – Yes his god-given talent is likely off the charts, but the ease in which he flicks the ball is so fun to watch (and I’m a Bears fan).
In 2020 I found myself lacking in the simple execution of paying my daily debt to the four pillars, leaving me feeling less than my best self, and (I believe) setting flare to my autoimmune disease. A loss of momentum can snowball.
It’s pretty easy to figure out really. Too much stress, too little exercise, poor sleep, and under hydrating myself lead to a lifestyle I personally can’t sustain. Neither can you I’d argue. I’m also thinking more and more about health and general well-being coming off a year when many of us saw life through a very different lens. I don’t want to be that guy that waits til he’s 60 and their cardiologist says, “you gotta make some lifestyle changes Zac, or else…”
Why not start now?
I’ve adopted the thinking that I’d like to feel 20 again, but think like I’m 60. Interestingly, or ironically I’m about in the middle of those two numbers anyway, so maybe it’s just a realignment. Amazing what that does to a person’s perspective. Feel like you’re 20, think like you’re 60. What does that mean?
Feel like 20 – To me this is about energy and enthusiasm. A playful and youthful exuberance to play offense in life and let the chips fall where they may.
Think like 60 – This is about perspective. Cutting out petty annoyances and relationships. Barring anything tragic, life is a long game to be played. Think about it this way.
The daily practice of following my scorecard (exercise and meditation) along with staying hydrated get the last and most important piece – – – – – – > A good night of sleep.
I’d ask you to think deeply about the last time you had a great night of sleep? How did you feel the next day? What was your energy level like? How about your overall zest for life and creativity?
The question I started asking myself is what leads to a terrific night of sleep? It can’t really be 20 things. I kept coming back to four.
I recently read Matthew McConaughey’s book, “Greenlights” and I loved it. The whimsical storytelling was easy to read and found myself laughing out loud numerous times. At some points, I was left shaking my head asking myself, “Is this true? Can’t be! Did he really do that??!”
More importantly, I found the exercise of Matthew finding his “greenlights” incredibly enlightening and took it as a personal challenge. Matthew went on many journey’s in his life, looking to “find his frequency” when he was lost personally. I got to thinking…why don’t I do the same?
I dove back into old notebooks. Notebooks I’d been keeping for years…in search of my own GreenLights. I began pouring through old sketches, business plans, ideas, notes to myself and challenging questions. Here’s a 10-year snapshot of the notebooks and journals kept.
I was in search search of finding my frequency
Where was I having the MOST fun in my career?
Who was I working with? What did they have in common?
What projects did I effortlessly dive into?
Where did I lose track of time because I was so deep in work?
Where did ample challenge, best meet energy to tackle it?
Where were the BIGGEST WINNERS? What projects, campaigns, or teams produced exponential output?
Success leaves clues. Follow the breadcrumbs of history and you’ll find them!
I challenge you to pause here. Did you click the HBR link above? You really need to. You owe it to yourself and your team. It’s more important now than ever. COVID set people off their frequency. Everyone is trying to relearn, reimagine and recalibrate their life.
This is the exercise for exactly that!
Here is the kicker. Your responses to “The 5 Questions” from HBR, have to be in writing. Your writing, not someone else’s. This could be either hand written or typed out on a keyboard, but you have to put them in writing because the exercise will challenge you to truly think about your answers. Your mind will know if you’re writing bullshit, and you’ll rewrite it.
The feeling this produces is fulfilling. A feeling of self-awareness meeting satisfaction of the truth. Like stepping out of a dark room and the sunshine hits you in the face feeling. Step into it!
Final step of the journey…Share unapologetically! There is no fear in showcasing your best self.
Best of luck in the journey of recalibration and finding your frequency!
I was watching a video on Instagram yesterday and this question really stood out to me. “What happens to water when it stops moving and becomes stagnant?”
Imagine a pool where the filter stopped working.
The image below speaks more than 1,000 words to tell you what stagnation looks like. The parasites, the disease, the negativity. It all has a chance to thrive when stagnant. Nothing is pushing it to move. Now play this out in your head. What happens a week from now, a month, a year…
Lesson: Keep Moving!
Like millions of others, I follow Grant Cardone and I’ve found his perspective of the wealthy very interesting. Grant says the rich, more specifically the ultra-rich are mercurial with their location, businesses and money. Always staying on the move, potentially with the thought of staying “one step ahead” of the rest.
Constant movement. Constant progress. Execute, learn, iterate and execute again.
In boxer parlance, stick and move. Stick and move!
Stagnation = Boredom. This is without a doubt the enemy of any pursuit.
Workout hit a plateau?
You and your partner aren’t connecting on the same wavelength?
In a rut with your nutrition or diet? Or making poor choice after poor choice?
Not feeling connected on your current spiritual journey?
Find yourself following or reading the same thing over and over again?
Friend circle have you in a death spiral of gossip and not enough talk about ideas and possibility?
Keep moving! Keep evolving!
I say it often and try to reinforce it with team members I work with weekly. No one has it all figured out. No one! Have a well thought out plan, execute it and be prepared to move based on the results. Be like water and find the path. Flexible and fluid. This is where I find entrepreneurs the most fascinating and I’m definitely not 100% a purebred entrepreneur. The entrepreneur may not be labeled as society’s “smartest” but they use their will, to find a way. No matter how long it takes to find it. Never stagnant, always moving, always pragmatic in the approach.
To the point of the stagnant pool example above, we need to be certain we’re keeping the filter on. Filtering allows us the perspective to audit and keep the water flowing cleanly. Keep a keen eye focused on your behaviors and be willing to consistently audit and filter.
Stagnation hits us all. I’m visiting it in my life right now. I’ve been stagnant with a few thoughts and behaviors and now I’m making changes. Big changes with respect to my lifestyle.
As I’m typing this, I’m 24 hours into a fast that will likely last about 30 hours. I get a colonoscopy about every 2-3 years due to my ulcerative colitis condition and the fast is part in parcel with that procedure. What seemed impossible when I first did this years ago (WTF…not eating for 30 hrs!?!?!?), really isn’t so bad after all.
Think I’m crazy?
The fast produces an odd amount of clarity in the mind and “filtering” for the body to reset. It also showcases the power of the mind over the body. I’m strongly considering the incorporation of a 24 hour fast into my monthly scorecard. More to come on that.
Lastly, I’m in the midst of undertaking new behaviors to filter out some of the inflammatory aspects of day-to-day life. The older I get, the more I’m paying attention to how I feel and the importance of sustained energy and momentum in life.
New Wrinkles:
Cold Shower – at least 60 seconds, if not 2 mins in the morning. Water temp below 70 degrees.
Wim Hof Breathing Exercise – 1x daily (Link to example here – – > Wim Hof Breathing) Give it a try!
Daily Meditation (evening) – I subscribed to the Peloton app during the pandemic and really like some of their guided sessions. There is tremendous variety and it’s a nice change of pace from my usual practice.
Diet – The research behind the gut/brain connection is now plentiful. Adjustments to the gut microbiome are driving my curiosity here.
If you find yourself stagnant, as I did coming out of COVID, start with getting curious about how to start something new. Flexible and fluid in pursuit of a better outcome.
I will warn you. It’s the lessor part of my personality to try to change ALL things, all at once. This takes tremendous will power. Do your best to resist that implementation method and adopt a process for incremental progress.
