I like to think of myself as fun to be around. I’m silly. If there’s an opportunity, I’m always going for a laugh. I’ve asked some friends about and they told me they like hanging around me because I’m curious and charismatic about who they are and what they do.
I’d agree with that, I am usually the guy in the group asking a lot of questions. I think it has to be genuine though. I’m curious about others because I want to be, not because I’m forcing myself to listen to other people’s ideas.
I’m not much for small talk. If you’re telling me about a project you’re working on or something you’re learning, I give you my full attention. Your ideas are important to me. I want to see you succeed.
A lot of people see the world through a scarcity lens of “me vs. you vs. them.” If your idea succeeds then my idea fails. But this isn’t true. Everyone can be successful, just not in the same way. Originality is hard, but it pays dividends.
There is a limit of course. I can give someone enthusiasm, but I can’t do their work for them. Your goals in life are that—yours. I can help point you in the right direction, I can help motivate you and encourage you, but it’s still up to each of us to take these dreams and ideas we have in our head and make them a reality. It’s not my job to do your job. Nor is it your job to do mine. We can share, but we still need to individually contribute.
Our reality is a reflection of our mind.
This sounds like a line from a Matthew McConaughey Lincoln commercial, but it’s true. I’m not talking about magic. Wishing for a banana to magically appear in your hands or a briefcase full of money to appear under your bed isn’t what I mean. What we think reflects what we do and how we perceive the world around us and by extension our reality changes. Thinking about eating a banana in pets you want a real banana. Does the banana in your mind exist? Not yet. But it correlates.
This kind of thinking can get woo-woo fast. There are just too many variables to predict all the details of what life will throw at you. But whatever comes our way gives us choices that are in our control.
Failure is an opportunity to do better in the next round. Or not.
Setbacks are an opportunity to grow into a better person. Or not.
Negativity, obstacles, toxic environments, unhelpful thoughts, criticism—these are all things that can help us or hold us back. It just depends on how you look at things. This is a very Jocko mindset.
I’m not telling you to enjoy your toxic work environment, for example. I’m saying see it as an opportunity to stand up for yourself and find something better.
Experiencing failure doesn’t mean you are a failure.
Being negative doesn’t mean you have to stay negative.
We may think about our past and envision our future, but we live life moment to moment. Each moment can change for the better if you own it.
A big part of building a thriving life is letting go of what you can’t control (i.e. your past mistake) and aiming for a better future while staying flexible in the present.
