What Stands In the Way, Becomes the Way
Discover 10 fundamental principles that can guide you towards a more fulfilling and successful life, inspired by wisdom from the ages.
1. Embrace the Now
Don’t push things to tomorrow. Do the hard thing today. This is what Seneca was talking about when he said, “The one thing all fools have in common is they’re always getting ready to start.”
2. Understand the Weight of Choices
Every choice you make has a consequence, good or bad. Every decision adds up. They manifest into mental and physical well-being, or the opposite.
3. Health Above All
Above all else, prioritize your health. Whether you see it now or not, taking care of your mind and body directly affects your achievements.
4. Balance Action with Stillness
Take action and be useful. This doesn’t mean we glamorize the “hustle” or “grind”; work hard, but find balance in stillness (reading, writing, reflecting), connecting with friends, exercise, a healthy meal, time in nature (sunlight, grounding, cold exposure). Optimize your life by prioritizing better.
5. Discipline Through Enjoyment
Doing something you don’t enjoy doing, but doing it like you love to do it. That’s discipline. Do you have to do it? Or, do you get to do it? The fact that you merely exist is a miracle. We’d all do well to remember that.
6. Be Your Own Hero
Be the hero of your own movie. If you’re reading this and able bodied, consider yourself incredibly lucky. People are so accustomed to what they have and aren’t satisfied. Change the tone of your thoughts. Start to express some gratitude; get out and do some main character shit.
7. Cultivate Infectious Positivity
Infectious charisma, optimism, and enthusiasm are the key ingredients. They set the tone for a healthy environment; attract and inspire others. It’s that THING. Do what you love and make a career out of it.
8. Be Like Water
The style is having no style, the way is no way. Be like water. Be formless. Bruce Lee would say use everything that is useful. Of course, he was mostly referring to martial arts, but also to achieving in life.
9. Purge Negativity
Cut out people or things that dampen your fire. Be ruthlessly critical of who or what you surround yourself with. Practice saying no to things, people, or actions that don't align with the person you're becoming or strive to be. Do not entertain mediocrity.
10. Master Your Mind
Take control over your thoughts. Optimism is a choice, change your lens. Thoughts are a powerful catalyst; they can shape our reality over time. We invite more of whatever we think about. Choose to focus on the solution within any problem or setback. Dwelling, comparison, or excuses are wasted energy.