A lot of people are doubling down right now. On outrage, on noise, on being the first to fire off a take. Every headline is treated like a summons to respond. Every tragedy, every controversy, every viral clip demands an instant opinion. Algorithms are designed specifically to make you angry and agitated and annoyed. Media headlines are all clickbait on steroids, seemingly demanding you have an instant reaction and opinion and rage.
What do you think? Which side are you on? Are you one of the good guys? Bad guys? Well? Well? Wellll????
Fuck all that.
Here’s the truth: you don’t owe the news a damn thing. You don’t have to follow every cycle. You don’t have to comment on every controversy. You don’t even have to watch.
What you can do is double down on your own values. On your family. On your health. On your work. On your joy. That’s the only arena you can actually control. That’s where your energy belongs.
I don’t want to talk about Charlie Kirk. I don’t want to talk about Israel. I don’t want to talk about Jimmy Kimmel or that Emmy’s actress or that other thing you just thought of that’s controversial.
And no, I’m not burying my head in the sand. I hear about the big news stories. I have strong opinions about some, unsettled opinions about others, and a lot of this stuff I simply don’t give a shit about because I don’t have to.
I don’t feel compelled to be first to market nor participate in every argument I’m invited to. I don’t need to have an opinion on every damn thing and I certainly don’t have to share it publicly unless I really have something to add. If that’s the case, you’ll hear me loud and clear right here in this newsletter, I promise you.
So how do I react to a seeming onslaught of “news” fed to us out of a firehose across all social media and traditional media platforms?
Simple.
While they all double and triple down on outrage, I double down on living my best life and taking care of the people and things that matter to me. I’d rather double down on leading by example. I’d rather double down on conversations and time and experiences with my wife and kids and friends, my health and good times.
I wrote my book on how to live happier, healthier, wealthier, stronger, and have more fun (which includes more sex — and what guy wouldn’t want that?).
I meant every word of it.
The truth is, there are too many people out there speaking who don’t actually have anything to say.
What even is a “thought leader”? When did that become a thing?
From what I’ve seen, a thought leader is usually someone who hasn’t actually done anything, but tries to get paid to have an opinion on everything.
They call themselves speakers and slap “thought leader” on their bio. Done. But thoughts don’t make you a leader. Action and results do.
Meanwhile, we’ve got an endless parade of these “thought leaders” weighing in on politics, on health, fitness, wellness, finance, relationships, you name it. Most of it? Just noise. A bunch of opportunists and egotists confusing expression for leadership.
Here’s the point:
Double down on who you are.
Double down on your family.
Double down on your finances.
Double down on your fitness.
Double down on your fun.
Ignore the distractions. Stop watching so much news. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb.
That’s how you contribute. That’s how you lead. That’s how you stay the course.
In Health,
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Greg Scheinman
Founder, Midlife Male
52. Husband. Father. Entrepreneur. Coach.
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