Hard Truths
Straightforward facts that, once accepted, make life a lot more enjoyable
Good Morning!
Welcome to the Thursday edition of Daily Self—I’m always grateful to be a small part of your day. Tomorrow, we’ll be doing something extra special (hint: it rhymes with “Live Today”).
In today’s edition…
Morning Microdose: Hard Truths
Myth of the Day: The more effort you put into something, the more likely it will be to succeed.
Action Item: If the hard truths are a “Yes” for you, turn them upside down for a week
(1) Morning Microdose
Hard Truths
Just like gravity and aging, there are certain truths in life that are simply FACT. For me, learning to accept these facts has become an exercise in patience and self-compassion.
When I resist these facts, I notice that I’m sadder, have more anxiety, and ultimately feel unfulfilled. However, when I accept them as hard truths, it feels as though I’ve turned around in a fast-moving river, and am flowing with velocity downstream.
You care more than anyone else about your failures.
No one is keeping a list of your failures but you. Honestly, everyone is more worried about their own failures. If you fixate on what other people think when you crash and burn, then you’ll never take risks with your life.
Yes, embarrassment and rejection HURT, but they cause temporary pain. Never taking risks with your life causes chronic pain.
You can’t “win” life.
Life is not a basketball game. Basketball is a “zero-sum” game: a game in which one person or group can win something only by causing another person or group to lose. If you approach life with a zero-sum mindset, then you have the mentality that in order to succeed, others must fail. The gains and losses add up to zero.
Guess what? Life is a positive-sum game. You can have success after success after success, and SO CAN SOMEONE ELSE! By encouraging others to succeed and being happy for people when they accomplish something great, you’re approaching life with a positive-sum mindset.
A “winner” with a positive-sum mindset stays in the game, never gives up, and inspires as many people around them to do the same.
Time is a bank account that only has debits.
Time is a nonrenewable resource. It is a currency that is uniquely branded to you, i.e. “Marek’s Time.” When I spend “Marek’s Time” doing something, I’m exchanging it with the hope of getting something back of equal or more value. For example, when I volunteer, the value I’m getting back is a sense of fulfillment and purpose. When I go on backpacking trips with my friends, the value I’m getting back is belonging, connection, and nature therapy.
So, if you’re spending your time getting something lesser or of no value to you… WHY ARE YOU WASTING YOUR TIME?
People dump you because you’re attracting the wrong people.
I was recently ghosted by three people after a first date. Of course, my initial reaction was “What’s wrong with them?” And then “What’s wrong with me?” But now the question is “What energy am I putting out there?”
I’m not just talking about dating here—it can also be applied to friendships and other relationships.
When your energy is in alignment with someone else’s, their reaction to hanging out with you is “f*ck yeah!”
(2) Myth of the Day
The more effort you put into something, the more likely it will be to succeed.
I was planning to make this a hard truth, but it works well as a myth too. Here’s a question: Have you ever tried to push a boulder over?
Ok, there you go.
Work smarter, not harder. You’re smarter than you think. Use that clever human brain of yours and tap into creative solutions rather than the same old slog that everyone else is doing.
(3) Action Item
Choose one of the hard truths above, and consider how it applies to your own life. Are you:
Keeping a scorecard of your failures?
Trying to win by making sure others lose? OR, writing yourself off as a loser because you see others “winning?”
Exchanging your time for things that have little to no value for you?
Attracting people who treat you like shit?
If any of these is a “Yes” for you, turn it upside down for a week and see what happens.
Liked what you read? Stick around and share with a friend.