Anyone else feel like we’re running a race but have no idea where the finish is? How do you pace yourself for that? How do you know how much time it’s going to take? How much energy, strength, money, patience, food and yes even toilet paper do we need?
I’m re-reading The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek. I highly recommend it. In finite games, like football or chess, the players are known, the rules are fixed, and the endpoint is clear. The winners and losers are easily identified.
In infinite games, like business or politics or life itself, the players come and go, the rules are changeable, and there is no defined endpoint. There are no winners or losers in an infinite game; there is only ahead and behind.
With the government and media attempting to dictate and define who and what is “Essential” these days I wanted to reaffirm one paramount and deep belief. We are ALL essential.
This is also an opportune time to determine what is and is not essential in our own lives.
I love my truck but I don’t miss not driving it nearly as much. I’ve learned that I really like getting up and walking every day; meeting a friend, colleague, client or just taking the dogs. I make audio notes, calls, set intention for the day. More than likely, I never would’ve started this “habit” if not for the situation we’re in.
Determining what is essential is actually really valuable and I hope this stays “A thing”. How much office space is “essential” now that we’ve shown we can adapt and be productive remotely? What in your closet is “essential”? Who in your life is “essential”
All this pressure (most of it self-induced) to get dressed up, go into the office and play the part…It’s been removed.
I communicate much better when I’m walking and moving on my own. I love bike riding. These Zoom calls, working by telephone and laptop in my backyard is a fantastic and productive way to do things. I find myself much more motivated, empathetic and more human.
I think (and hope) that we come out of this with a realization for how little we actually need in terms of things and how much we actually need in terms of experiences. Personal interaction and connection over accumulation and material gratification.
The amount of money I was wasting indiscriminately driving around and spending on things all over town was ridiculous. Being forced to stay home has actually created far greater freedom. Learning this discipline creates a simplicity and balance that previously had little opportunity to exist in my space.
While there is tragedy, crisis, financial disparity, uncertainty and challenge going on all around us, there is also time for correction, reflection and opportunity.
For those of us who are not experiencing adverse health conditions and have the financially stability to sustain during this; we owe it to ourselves and those who are suffering to come out of this in a better position than we were before and to help others in need and who are less fortunate.
And I just hope that we don’t have short memories where we make all these positive changes where we adapt, pivot, are nicer, healthier, more resourceful and then all of a sudden, we just revert back because “normal” has returned.
I hope we stick to it. That we cut down on commuting times, we cut down on wasted interactions and just doing things “The way we’ve always been doing them”.
It’s clear to me how productive, how forward thinking and how positively reactive to situations and innovative we can be to not only survive but thrive. Restaurants have become markets, gyms have become virtual studios, commute times have become outdoor times. The “necessity” of being in an office has become the accessability to work from home and be able to manage your laundry, your health, your business as one and to still be able to meet up with your team for virtual happy hour on Friday. That’s amazing.
What’s your mantra? How are you changing? Have you written it down?
Here’s mine.
This is how I’m gonna live every day. Wake up. Practice self-care, exercise, eat well, spend time with my family, do good work for good people, write and record, partner with brands that I love and where I can add value, combine personal passion with professional expertise and live within modest simple and essential means. That’s it. No more.
Let me know yours.
In Health,
G
The Midlife Male Podcast – NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
Dan Cox – Founder Wellthy & Metcon Supplement Brands, Host of Excuse The Disruption Podcast and Featured on The Bachelorette & Bachelor in Paradise
Dan Cox joins me this week on the Pod. Dan is an awesome guy, entrepreneur, athlete and podcast host. I wanted to have him on to learn more about his supplement companies Wellthy and Metcon and how they can help men to feel and perform their best. I also wanted to get some scoop on his experience appearing on The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise and while I can honestly say that i’ve never seen an episode of either, I am fascinated by what it must be like to have your personal life playing out on television and how that whole process works. Dan is also a swimmer and we got to talk about the beauty and benefits of open water swimming and training. This was also an episode to break down some stereotypes, hear about how he has developed and launched his own Podcast; Excuse The Disruption, our mutual affinity for style (particularly RHONE), daily routine, the fine line behind failure and success and how to make the most of your days. Have a listen! Like what you hear? Leave a review! Thanks
