🤔 Morning thoughts (March 10 - 16)
Every Sunday I share a quote and a reflection on it for each day of the week.
Themes of the week: Discipline, Ego, Perspective, Control, Mastery, Focus, Adaptability
Sunday - March 16, 2025
"The ego likes big, dramatic actions that seem as if they’ll magically change the future. This gives the ego a sense of power. Real discipline is quite the opposite. It’s made up of an endless number of small steps, each of which can seem meaningless on its own. The ego has to humble itself to keep going on a productive course."
Phil Stutz, Lessons for Living
Contrary to what most people think, real discipline is not “tough” or aggressive, but rather calm, methodical. True discipline is seen on the inside.
Saturday - March 15, 2025
"How can you retrain yourself to prefer what is real and alive, although often painful?"
Phil Stutz, Lessons for Living
We constantly live in a state of denial in a reality of our own constitution. Learn to immerse yourself in whatever life presents you with.
Friday - March 14, 2025
"The question, “What’s in it for me?” is the internal dialogue of the ego."
Deepak Chopra, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
Watch your self talk not only for signs it’s against you but for when it’s turning into pure ego. Overprotecting yourself, putting yourself on a pedestal, all signs you’re self absorbed.
Thursday - March 13, 2025
"It’s not effort that matters, but where that effort is directed. Whatever you focus on and commit to, you become the master of."
Dan Sullivan, 10x Is Easier Than 2x
Too many people put too much effort and energy on the wrong things. And then they complain they don’t get what they want. The masters, choose wisely and never complain, not even when things go wrong. Because they know they’re still on the right path.
Wednesday - March 12, 2025
"Today move in the direction you want to move in. Take action. The world around you is a mess, have fun with it."
Eschenroeder, Kyle, The Pocket Guide to Action
Chaos is not an anomaly but the ordinary state of reality. The more you try to make sense of it — to control the uncontrollable — the more it will try to control you. Instead, aim at a direction and focus on taking methodical, deliberate action towards it. When reality responds, course correct if needed. This is mastery.
Tuesday - March 11, 2025
"Samurai training involved the following kind of psychological exercise. Whenever, the teaching went, you feel yourself frightened or despairing, don’t say to yourself, “I am afraid,” or “I am despairing.” Say, “There is someone who is afraid,” or “There is someone who is despairing. Now, what can he do about this?”"
Robert Moore, Doug Gillette, King, Warrior, Magician, Lover
Accept that you don’t have control over external situations, but you do have the chance to master your internal state. That will indirectly affect your reality. You just have to choose the right perspective in the moments when it’s hardest to shift.
Monday - March 10, 2025
"If we try to over-control situations, we make ourselves more vulnerable to randomness – because now we are trying to avoid, rather than embrace – the unexpected."
Dr Christian Busch, The Serendipity Mindset
True power in every situation comes from knowing you won’t have it all figured out but can adapt. No matter what life’s bringing you its best.