by TheThinkingGuy | Apr 21, 2025 | Uncategorized
Let’s be real: some days you wake up feeling like a superhero, ready to conquer the world at lightning speed. Other days… not so much. Maybe it was the late-night beers, maybe just not enough sleep, but you feel slow. Your brain feels fuzzy, focus is hard to find, and the idea of being “fast” feels laughable.
I had one of those days today. Definitely not operating at peak performance. But here’s the interesting part: despite feeling slow, I stuck to my action checklist. I used that “start for 1 minute, keep going for 5 minutes” trick. And you know what? Things still got done. And I actually started feeling better.
Your System Works (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)
This was a lightbulb moment. It proved that relying on a system, like an action checklist, is way more reliable than waiting for peak state or motivation to strike. Even when my energy was low and my mind wasn’t sharp, just following the steps created progress. The system carried me when my internal engine felt stalled.
The Tortoise Was Right All Along! 🤯
And then it hit me – I finally got the Tortoise and the Hare story on a gut level. It’s not just about a cocky rabbit napping! It’s about the sheer, undeniable power of consistent action.
I might feel like the tortoise today, moving slowly but deliberately from one task to the next. But by simply not stopping, by consistently putting one foot (or one task) in front of the other, I’m actually outperforming the “hare” version of myself who might work in frantic bursts but then crash or get distracted. Slow and steady doesn’t just win the race in fables; it wins the productivity game in real life. It felt amazing to connect with that simple truth.
Ditch the Clock, Find Your Flow 🧘
Part of embracing the “slow and steady” approach is letting go of the obsession with speed and time. When you’re constantly glancing at the clock, worrying about deadlines, or thinking about how fast you’re going (or not going), you’re splitting your focus. A chunk of your precious mental energy is wasted on time-anxiety instead of being poured into the task itself.
That’s why hiding the phone, maybe even minimizing the clock on your screen, can be so powerful. It helps you immerse yourself fully in the task, find that flow state where time seems to melt away, and just do the work without the pressure of the ticking clock. Trust that by focusing deeply, you’ll make the best use of the time you have.
Embrace Your Pace, Just Keep Going
So, the big takeaway? Don’t beat yourself up if you’re having a “tortoise” day. It’s okay to be slow. It’s okay not to feel lightning fast. The real magic isn’t in speed; it’s in consistency.
Focus on starting. Use the 1-minute rule. Use the 5-minute follow-through. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Trust the process. Trust your system. Slow, steady, consistent action will always get you further than frantic bursts followed by burnout.
Just keep going. That’s it.
by TheThinkingGuy | Apr 21, 2025 | Uncategorized
You know how sometimes a single thought can just zap you into a different mood? Like flipping a switch? Maybe it’s remembering a huge win, visualizing a perfect outcome, or repeating a powerful mantra. Some thoughts just hit differently – they’re like mental superpowers.
The challenge is, our brains are noisy places, buzzing with a million ideas, worries, and random thoughts. How do you grab that one superpower thought you need, right when you need it most, to shift into your best state for whatever situation you’re facing?
Not All Thoughts Are Created Equal
First, let’s acknowledge the obvious: some thoughts pack way more punch than others. Thinking “I should probably get started” doesn’t have the same juice as vividly imagining yourself crushing that presentation or feeling the buzz of connecting deeply with someone new. Certain thoughts or visualizations resonate deeply and can instantly alter your confidence, focus, or energy levels.
The key is identifying your personal power thoughts – the ones that reliably work for you.
The Stack Rank Solution: Your Mental Playbook 🏆
Okay, so you know you have these power thoughts. Now what? Instead of letting them float randomly in your mental soup, let’s get organized. Introducing the “Stack Rank” method:
- Identify Key Situations: Think about the common scenarios where you want to consciously manage your state (e.g., networking, important meetings, creative work, focusing, even just starting your day).
- Brainstorm Power Thoughts: For each situation, list the thoughts, mantras, or visualizations that help you get into the desired state (confident, calm, focused, energetic, etc.).
- Rank ‘Em!: This is crucial. Order the thoughts in each list from most impactful to least impactful for you. What’s your absolute #1 go-to thought for shifting your state in that specific situation? What’s #2? #3?
- Keep it Simple: You can’t mentally juggle a list of 20 thoughts in the heat of the moment. Aim for your Top 3 power thoughts for each situation.
This creates a personalized mental playbook you can access instantly.
Building Your Playbook: Examples
Let’s make this concrete. Your lists might look something like this:
Situation: Networking Event
- Goal State: Confident, Open, Curious
- Ranked Thoughts:
- “They genuinely want to connect, maybe even more than I do!” (Shifts pressure off me)
- “One conversation could spark a butterfly effect, changing everything.” (Adds excitement/purpose)
- “It’s all predetermined anyway; my job is just to show up authentically and see what happens.” (Reduces outcome anxiety)
Situation: Important Presentation
- Goal State: Confident, Engaging, Authentic
- Ranked Thoughts:
- “The more I relax and be myself (less script!), the better this will flow.” (Permission to be authentic)
- “These people are here because they want to hear what I have to say.” (Builds confidence)
- “I know this material inside and out.” (Reinforces competence)
Situation: Focusing on a Task
- Goal State: Focused, Motivated, Calm
- Ranked Thoughts:
- “Just follow the action checklist; it guides me right into the zone.” (Trust the system)
- “Start with just 1 minute. That’s all. Just begin.” (Lowers activation energy)
- “I can get a lot done in 5 focused minutes; 5 minutes is longer than I think.” (Builds momentum belief)
Situation: High-Pressure Meeting
- Goal State: Calm, Prepared, Collaborative
- Ranked Thoughts:
- “Be the calm eye of the storm – absorb everything first, react second.” (Promotes calm listening)
- “My preparation is my armor; I know my stuff and belong at this table.” (Builds grounded confidence)
- “Build bridges, don’t build walls. Seek common ground, not battleground.” (Encourages collaboration)
(Add your own situations: Creative work? Difficult conversations? Exercise motivation?)
Pro Tip: Visualize & Simplify! ✨
Remember, turning these thoughts into vivid mental images or feelings often makes them exponentially more powerful. Don’t just think the thought; feel the confidence, see the successful outcome.
And again, keep your lists short! Your Top 3 power thoughts per situation are plenty. Easy to remember, quick to deploy.
Take Control of Your Switchboard
You don’t have to be a victim of your fleeting moods or anxieties. By identifying your most powerful thoughts and organizing them into situational “stack ranks,” you create a mental switchboard. You gain the ability to consciously choose and activate the state you need, when you need it.
So, what are your power thoughts? Start building your playbook today!
by TheThinkingGuy | Apr 17, 2025 | Uncategorized
You know what feels amazing? More than just discipline, it’s the high of consistency! I’ve got this habit now: 100 jumping jacks every morning. Today marks streak day 47, and honestly, just seeing that number feels incredibly good. It makes me want to keep going, never break the chain.
It’s the same with writing these daily thoughts – I think I’m around 20 pieces now? It’s wild how quickly it adds up. Imagine hitting 100! I feel like I’d be a completely different person. The excitement builds just thinking about it!
The Undeniable Pull of the Streak
There’s something magical about a streak. It’s visual proof of your commitment. Whether you track it on your Apple Watch, a habit app, or just a tally mark on a calendar, seeing that number grow provides powerful motivation. You build momentum, and the last thing you want to do is reset that counter back to zero. Technology makes tracking easier than ever now – that little number becomes your personal coach, cheering you on.
Shrinking the Start: Beyond “Take 5” to “Take 1”
We talked recently about the “Take 5” method to beat procrastination, and it’s powerful. But sometimes, even 5 minutes can feel like a hurdle. What if we made it even easier? So easy it’s almost impossible not to do it?
Enter the 1-Minute Rule.
Seriously. Can you commit to doing something for just one minute? Or even 30 seconds? Of course, you can! That’s the beauty of it. It lowers the barrier to entry so much that resistance just melts away. One minute of jumping jacks. One minute of tidying up. One minute of reading. One minute of push-ups. Anyone can do one minute.
How 1 Minute Becomes 5 (and More) 📈
Here’s the sneaky part: starting is always the hardest part. Once you’ve done that first minute, momentum kicks in.
My Apple Watch actually helps here – exercises under a minute don’t even get logged! So I have to do at least one minute. But once I’ve done that minute, pushing it to 5 minutes, or even longer, feels natural. I’m already moving, I’m already engaged. That first minute is the key that unlocks the engine.
The 100-Day Second Nature Challenge 🎯
So, here’s the plan I’m getting hyped about: Combine the ease of the 1-Minute Rule with the power of the streak, aiming for 100 days.
Imagine sticking with any habit you want to build – just starting with 1 minute each day – for 100 days straight. That habit wouldn’t just be a habit; it would become second nature. Automatic. Part of who you are.
Your Action Plan: Find Your First Minute
Ready to try it?
- Pick a habit you want to build.
- Break down the absolute easiest first step you can take. What can you do in literally 60 seconds or less?
- Commit to doing just that 1 minute every single day.
- Track your streak. Don’t break the chain!
- See where that first minute takes you.
Let’s build those 100-day streaks and transform ourselves, one tiny minute at a time. I’m ready!
Now, excuse me while I go do 1 minute of push-ups! 💪
by TheThinkingGuy | Apr 16, 2025 | Uncategorized
Wow. Just wow. After a solid 8 hours of sleep last night, my mind feels like it’s been freshly scrubbed – crystal clear, sharp, and ready to go. I totally get now why people like Brian Johnson prioritize sleep above almost everything else. Nothing beats a clear mind for getting things done!
And speaking of getting things done, I had a bit of an epiphany after some networking yesterday. It hit me: most days aren’t packed with impossible tasks. They’re filled with things we want to do, or need to do, and the biggest hurdle isn’t the task itself… it’s just starting.
The Ridiculous Power of Just Starting
It sounds almost too simple, right? But think about it. This morning, before I even did my usual exercise routine, I managed to whip up an AI presentation outline in less than 30 minutes. Just because I had the idea and started. Imagine handling all your important tasks like that! It feels incredibly liberating and effective.
The key wasn’t some magic productivity spell; it was simply beginning the task.
The Procrastination Loop (and the Escape Hatch)
We all know the feeling. That big task looms, seeming overwhelming. Or maybe it’s just a medium task, but we feel lazy, unmotivated, stuck in procrastination mode. We know we should start, but we don’t.
Here’s the escape hatch I’ve realized is incredibly powerful: Break it down into the smallest possible step, something you can do in just 5 minutes.
Meet the “Take 5” Activation Method
Seriously, that’s it. No matter how huge or daunting the task feels, ask yourself: “What tiny piece of this can I do in the next 5 minutes?”
Take my networking goal from yesterday. The main event wasn’t until later, but the first step wasn’t “go network.” It was stuff I could do right then: spend 30 minutes reading my old networking notes, maybe chat with an AI to brainstorm some prep questions. Those are small, manageable actions. Those are the 5-minute (or maybe 30-minute, but still small) steps that get the ball rolling.
Everything starts small. You just need to find that first tiny domino and commit to pushing it over for 5 minutes.
Igniting Your Flow State 🔥
Here’s the magic: those first 5 minutes are like striking a match. They provide the activation energy. Once you overcome that initial inertia and just do something for 5 minutes, momentum starts building. Your focus sharpens. You get pulled into the task.
Suddenly, you’re not fighting to work; you’re in it. You’ve tricked yourself into a flow state. And once you’re there, you often don’t want to stop. You just keep going, and before you know it, that task you were dreading is well underway, or maybe even finished!
So, next time you feel stuck, don’t think about the whole mountain. Just find the first tiny pebble you can move in 5 minutes.
Breathe in. Take 5. And go!
by TheThinkingGuy | Apr 15, 2025 | Uncategorized
So my friend “Alex” called me out of the blue yesterday, needing advice. He’s been happily married for a couple of years, but recently things got rocky. He told me his wife, let’s call her “Maria,” had become demanding, always picking fights, and he felt like he couldn’t take it anymore. Listening to him, I sensed something deeper was going on – maybe less about Maria herself, and more about how Alex was perceiving the situation, especially since I knew Maria’s dad had just passed away, and she was working alone in a new city while Alex was based elsewhere for work.
Being raised in a Christian family, I have this foundational belief that marriage is a lifelong commitment – you don’t just bail when things get tough; you do whatever it takes to make it work. And having been a dating coach back in the day (just for fun!), while I might not have tons of long-term relationships myself, I’ve spent a lot of time understanding relationship dynamics, especially how women think and communicate differently sometimes.
It got me thinking about relationships, commitment, and how we handle life when it inevitably throws curveballs.
Look Deeper: What’s Really Being Said?
I suggested to Alex that often, when someone close to us is complaining or seems to be “picking fights” – especially when they’re going through something huge like grieving a parent while living alone – it’s not really about the dishes left in the sink or being five minutes late. These complaints can be cries for attention, support, or reassurance. Maria probably needed to feel seen, heard, and cared for by him, even across the distance. If you only address the surface issue, another one will just pop up. Solve the root need – usually for connection and support – and the surface static often fades.
Remember, everyone has ups and downs. We wouldn’t judge ourselves harshly on our worst days (though we often do!), so why judge our partners? Those down phases are precisely when they need support the most. They might not be at their best, they might be emotional or difficult – heck, we probably would be too in their shoes! Supporting them through the storm is how you get to see the sunshine together later. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
The Power of “No Exit”: Why Commitment Creates Resourcefulness
This situation also highlights the power of commitment mindset. My faith background really helps me here. When you genuinely believe that leaving or divorcing isn’t an option, your brain stops looking for the escape hatch and starts getting incredibly creative about finding solutions. You have to make it work, so you dig deeper, seek to understand, offer support, and find ways through.
Contrast that with knowing quitting is always an option. It’s tempting to give up when things get tough because the door is right there. Removing the “Plan B” mentally forces you to fully engage with Plan A, unlocking resourcefulness you didn’t know you had.
Shitty Situations: Your Greatest Training Ground
This mindset extends beyond relationships. Life will hand you difficult situations. It’s easy to feel like a victim, to give in to default modes of laziness or despair. But these moments are incredibly rare and valuable opportunities. It’s only when we’re tested, when things are truly awful, that we discover our real character, our core strength, our resilience. If Alex can navigate this challenging period with Maria, think how much stronger both of them could become, individually and together.
Think about your own past. Wasn’t it the toughest experiences that forged who you are today? These moments present a stark choice: crumble, or use every ounce of creativity, conviction, persistence, and resilience you have to turn the situation around. Can you leverage the hardship? Can you make it into something that serves you? The worse the situation, the more potent the opportunity to train yourself, learn, and grow. You know the saying: “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” This is where phoenixes are made.
Choose the Hard Right Path (Like Al Pacino Said)
If you keep making that choice – the choice to face adversity head-on and transform it – you’ll reinvent yourself rapidly. Remember that powerful scene in “Scent of a Woman”? Al Pacino’s character talks about always knowing the right path but never taking it “because it’s too damn hard.” He praises the young man, Charlie, for being willing to do the hard, right thing, calling it rare. Be that rare person. Choose the hard path when it’s the right one.
Because ultimately, we arrive with nothing and leave with nothing. All we truly forge in between is our character.
Handle the Downs, Deserve the Ups
So, accept the ups and downs in life and in people. Learn to handle the downs – your own and others’ – with grace, support, and unwavering commitment. See bad situations not as roadblocks, but as launchpads for transformation. The worse it seems, potentially the greater the upgrade available. Treat your commitments – to people, to goals – as having no retreat. Trust that when you fully commit, your conscious and subconscious mind will conspire to help you figure it out. I promise you that.
Don’t ever give up.
by TheThinkingGuy | Apr 14, 2025 | Uncategorized
You know that feeling when things just start… clicking? Like you’ve been collecting puzzle pieces for weeks, and suddenly you see how they all fit together? I’m riding that wave right now, and wow, the energy is incredible! It feels like my brain is literally reorganizing itself, leveling up in real-time.
It all stems from seemingly random moments and conversations over the last few days and weeks.
Collecting the Clues (The Pieces)
It started with daily reflections, just writing stuff down. Then, in a recent chat, I felt the raw power of speaking with real conviction. A conversation with another friend showed me how sharing insights is like a boomerang – you help others, and it comes right back to help you reflect deeper. Watching YouTube reminded me about the weirdness of time (don’t ask!). An interaction focused on efficiency was a masterclass in just doing things super fast. A fun night out hammered home how taking risks sparks excitement – that butterfly effect is real!
Even tough conversations, like one about how everyone has ups and downs, became crucial pieces. Realizing that facing tough times is how we truly discover our strength, and that judging people (or ourselves) in a down phase is pointless because change is constant.
The Big “Aha!”: It’s All Connected! 🤯
Individually, these were all interesting insights. But the real magic happened when I realized they weren’t separate lessons at all. They’re all interconnected threads in a bigger tapestry:
- That excitement from taking risks feeds directly into speaking with conviction.
- Understanding that moods are unreliable (we all have ups and downs, right?) highlights the need for consistent action and trusting the process (like focusing on getting stuff done efficiently).
- Sharing generously reinforces learning and helps solidify that conviction.
It’s like finding hidden Easter eggs in a game – suddenly, everything links up in ways you didn’t expect!
Trusting the Process (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)
This connection-mania also shed light on something crucial: moods are flaky. Relying on feeling “motivated” is a recipe for inconsistency. Because we know there will be down days, the key is having faith in action.
Someone smart once pointed out that action is a probability game. If something has even a 10% chance of working (which is pretty decent!), you just need to try it enough times. Do the reps, follow the checklist, trust the system – even when you’re not feeling hyped. The results will come if you play the odds consistently. It’s math!
The Transformation is Real
Honestly, feeling these connections click into place feels like my mind is upgrading itself. It’s becoming faster, sharper, more integrated. It’s not just wishful thinking; it’s the result of actively reflecting, discussing, sharing, and connecting the dots.
Everything is linked. The more we seek out these connections, the more we understand the underlying patterns of reality and our own growth. The more we understand, the better equipped we are to navigate life and become the best version of ourselves – stronger, smarter, faster.
So, keep collecting those puzzle pieces. Talk to people, reflect on your experiences, take those small risks. And most importantly, look for the connections. That’s where the real power lies. Keep connecting, keep growing!
What connections have you noticed lately?
