Do you ever feel like there’s just never enough time? Well you're definitely not alone. But here’s the truth: Time isn’t the real problem. The real problem is attention. We’ve all been sold the idea that time is our most precious resource… But what good is time if your mind is actually somewhere else? I read this crazy stat the other day:Out of 60 minutes, most humans spend 58 minutes either thinking about the past or the future. That means only 2 minutes out of every hour are spent in the...
2 days ago • 1 min read
A powerful (but confronting) question I often ask my clients is this one: If absolutely no one could judge you, how differently would you live your life? The answers often involve: -Less Overthinking -Quitting unfulfilling jobs -Following passions -More self-confidence -More Freedom etc. The fear of people’s judgement often prevents us from living the life we truly want to live. And although it’s hardwired into us for survival… It’s possible to minimise the power it has over us. Here are 3...
9 days ago • 1 min read
It’s something you might do without noticing. Something that slowly chips away at your self-confidence. Something that destroys your integrity and self-worth. It’s a silent but deadly enemy called: Breaking promises to yourself. Sound familiar? “I’ll get back to you on Friday” “Next year I’m going to start a business” “Tomorrow morning I’m going to the gym” Every time you say you’ll do something and you don’t: You slowly erode the relationship between you and your word. You slowly deteriorate...
16 days ago • 1 min read
There’s a particularly nasty group of viruses out there. Viruses that influence your thinking. They influence how you see the world. They influence your emotional state. They influence your general mood. They are everywhere yet no one is talking about them: Memetic viruses. Contagious beliefs that hijack your thinking. These thought-viruses can come from anywhere: The news, social media, your parents, friends, colleagues, teachers, even well-meaning mentors… And once they’re in your mind,...
23 days ago • 1 min read
This Monday I did a very powerful exercise. I made myself a cup of coffee, set a timer for 30 mins and started writing down all the lessons I would give my 29 year old self (just before he quit his corporate job). I then cleaned them up a bit so he could print them out and put them on his fridge. This was the final edit:1) Don’t ask people for advice who aren’t living the life you want to live. 2) “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t either way you are right” - drill this quote...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Here’s a distinction I wish they had taught me in school: The difference between a Thought and Thinking. Thought is a noun. It requires no energy to create. And is just whatever pops up in your mind. Thinking on the other hand, is a verb. It requires effort. It’s the act of engaging with your thoughts. Thinking drains your energy.Thoughts are just neutral. “I’m hungry” is a thought.“I need to eat soon” is thinking. Thoughts are inevitable, thinking is optional. A core concept of Buddhist...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Whether you like it or not: Suffering is one of the inherent parts of life. It’s inevitable. And if you don’t believe me, consider this: Every person that you love is going to die at some point. F**king hell Alex, that’s a bit morbid. I know, I know… But the point I’m trying to make is that suffering is going to happen whether you like it or not. And one of the keys to living a fulfilling life isn’t to avoid suffering but to pursue meaning that justifies the level of suffering you’re going to...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
I don’t think you can handle rejection or failure. I don’t think you’re capable of conquering your fears. I don’t think you have what it takes to start your own business. Notice how you feel when I say those things to you. Does part of you want to defend yourself? Does part of you want to prove me wrong? Well that’s what it feels like to fight for what you’re capable of. The opposite of that is to fight for your limitations. “I could never do that…”“I’m not the type of person who…”“I’m too...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Here’s a question for you: Would you accept $1 billion to trade lives with Warren Buffett? You could have all the money in the world… but you’d also be 94 years old. My guess is probably NO. However, I’m pretty sure Warren Buffett wouldn’t hesitate for a second to give you all of his money to trade lives with you right now. He would gladly pay billions to be your age again. And given that the value of something is determined by what someone else is willing to pay for it… That would...
2 months ago • 1 min read
If you’ve been following this Newsletter for a while… You’ll know that I love a good quote. But this one hit me pretty hard: “This is an extra special type of tragedy, a tragedy that unfolds while everyone cheers. Strangling your passions in exchange for an elite life is like being on the Titanic after the iceberg, water up to your chin, with everybody telling you that you’re so lucky to be on the greatest steamship of all time. And the Titanic is indeed so huge and wonderful that you can’t...
3 months ago • 1 min read