Thoughts and emotions in alignment with the core. I have realized that, while I am likely on track, I have areas where I can improve in order to expand. There is always room for improvement, its natural part of life. ebbs and flows. To me it appears in my thoughts as a need, almost longing, an intense desire for... something not yet within my reach. What if it I could shift that perspective, what if its already within my reach? What I've already attained my desire and the feeling is there because it's still before me? It would be a confirmation that I'm still on-track, a reminder to keep going, to follow my intuition because it's steering me in the right direction. Only a matter of time then. A soothing thought, it gives me a sense of calm-relief. 

I'm reminded about duality, as a nature of my life. Cycles of internalization, absorbing information and integrating it into my patterns of understanding, and cycles of wisdom, where I express this wisdom and exert my will upon my reality. I'm much better at the former than the latter, so with this in mind, how might I proceed.

It brings be back to the idea of authenticity, that natural state of flow where everything feels effortless. I have realized that when in-alignment, obstacles aren't as challenging. The work seems natural and it unfolds in an ideal way, so I might continue to search for ways to make this a daily practice. Practicing the exertion of my will in the real world, since the internal part comes naturally, I have formed habits already that seem to work. What if I could form new habits, ones that assist me in the things that make me uncomfortable? what would that look like, what would those habits feel like at first, once developed, would they still seem uncomfortable?

When I first started performing music, I Never thought I'd be the one on stage. It felt intensely awkward to be up there, the center of attention. I remember the nerves. a combination of adrenaline and anxiety. I remember the first time, before I was slotted to go up. It was strange. I knew I was committed to do it, so I had to follow through. I had to suspend my discomfort and do the hard thing. It turned out okay, performance-wise nothing to write home about. Important was the doing. I've done it before, I know it gets easier with time. It's not a big deal.

Once I had an opportunity and I wasted it for fear of the unknown. I built up a construct in my mind , dwelling on reasons not-to instead of just saying yes and flowing with it. It's not a big deal as there will always be opportunity. I jumped in knowing i'd otherwise be left wondering what if, possibly dwelling on this, holding me back. After sleeping on the idea I had a change of heart, its strange. I wasn't sure what to do, so I trusted my intuition. Was my gut telling me this for a reason. I used to have a tendency to overthink, to the detriment of taking action. Missed chances because I wanted to weigh all the options and make the 'best' decision. That approach often turned into no decision, or a decision too-late. I strive to learn from my past experience as not to make the same mistake over-and-over again. I might view this not as a 'waste' but as I made a decision and I trusted my gut. in the past, before knowing what i know now, I might have sat on my hands, thinking about this and then that until the moment passsed me by, and the opportunity with it. I should consider myself grateful, there will always be another opportunity.

TL:DR

• Focus on improving external action to balance strong internal alignment and authenticity.
• Reframe the feeling of longing as a sign of being on the right track, providing reassurance and motivation.
• Form habits that address areas of discomfort, knowing initial unease will fade with practice, just like past experiences with performing music.
• Embrace action over perfection—progress comes from doing, not overthinking.
• Trust intuition and seize opportunities to avoid the pitfalls of overthinking and missed chances.
• Recognize that every decision is a learning opportunity and that more opportunities will come with time.
• Strive to act decisively, practice regularly, and maintain gratitude for growth as a continual process.

Lets suppose for a moment that the inner world drives the outer. If this is true, then what benefit might there be to understand the inner world, emotions, thoughts, and subconscious patterns?  I often seek to understand the hidden aspects of myself since awareness of these elements of self is not something that always obvious.

Now, I can't explain how others interpret their own inner-workings. Its not my place to judge, but it makes me wonder, Is everyone's processing of it similar, is there a pattern? I might guess that it would be easy to completely ignore one's inner world, instead focusing on the 'real world' and it's immediate pressures, money, commitments to family, bills, obligations, job, car payments. If I  imagine these real world matters through the lens of the inner-world, I can see that there will be patterns underpinning my approach to them, my feelings and response or reaction to them as they appear in my life. So what are the patterns, what direction does the current flow beneath the surface? It's not an easy question to answer.

How might i simplify my answer to these questions, what drives me, what limits me, and what excites me?  Lets imagine for a moment that each of these themes carries a current in a certain direction.

Drive, sounds a bit like motivation, an upward energy, one that overcomes resistance. One is driven when he/she has purpose, so where do I source my sense of purpose, what gets me excited to face the world? I've often been most driven when held accountable to others. Not in a hyper-serious way, more like I will give my word with intent to keep it, to follow through. It comes from a place of accountability to myself. So why, when accountable to another does the response seem even more powerful? Maybe it's the other's energy that is reflected back throughout the process of following through, the fact that the interaction feels less like an echo chamber, that there is another living being involved and engaging with the experience. Does this make it more meaningful, is it a requirement?

Limitation, sounds a bit like the counterpoint to drive in some ways, If drive can overcomes obstacles, then limitations have the force to make an obstacles insurmountable. Now, I believe that the acknowledgment of limitations is important - very important - as a first step towards growth, first I would have to discover what the limitation is. It's hard to solve a problem when you don't even know what the problem is... From this perspective, If i were to ask again, what limits me, I might have to conclude that it's the unknown, or a lack of inner-clarity., perhaps I should go deeper, unpacking the source of the patterns that are causing uncertainty, thus causing daily events to produce limitations.

Excitement, sounds like it has the ability to surpass obstacles, transmuting the perceived inability to overcome into the drive that can. How can i describe this? Mid-winter I found myself in a bit of a melancholy state, It seemed like there was no point in carrying on. Maybe it was a lack of sunlight or a vitamin deficiency but that was beside the point, I was experiencing a lack of excitement in my life, and it was showing up in the form of a lack of drive. Limitations were more pronounced and I Noticed I was imagining the worst outcome instead of holding onto the best-possible ones. I carried on in this pattern for a few weeks, not sure how to break the cycle, not sure where i could find a sense of excitement to give me the drive to break free. I did acknowledge that life's ups and downs are to be expected so I wasn't too upset about it. I spent those days flowing with it. It was a time to relax, to watch youtube, to sleep in, to go for walks outside, but not for the work that truly gives me a sense of purpose, so I didn't push too hard to break the pattern, I simply allowed it be. One day, almost at random, I stumbled across an opportunity that got me excited. and I jumped on it. I was excited once more and just like that I broke the pattern of limitation. It still feels strange to me looking back - just how quickly the shift from lazy-complacency to driven-motivation can happen. All it took was something to get excited about to give me the drive, and the limitation melted away.

are you starting to see how these ideas are connected? I am beginning to see a pattern, interconnected, each supporting the other in it's own right.

I should make one more observation about limitation before breaking it down - it doesn't need to have a negative connotation. I've mentioned before that it's in doing the hard thing where the growth happens, so from this perspective limitations are like the catalyst for growth. not to be viewed as something to be avoided, but embraced.

Now, how are these ideas connected? How do they define my existence? Drive is the sense of purpose that moves one forward, motivations, core values, and desires. Limitations as catalysts for growth like the challenges life places before us that we might overcome and learn the lesson from the experience. Resistance comes to mind, whether its environmental, relationships, circumstances, fears, doubts, imbalanced emotions, or patterns of avoidance. but these are subjects for another article. Point is, that limitations, like a boulder in the center of the road, stand in the way of forward progress, and without the drive to overcome them, one might be stuck at the obstacle instead of chipping away at it in order to break through to the other side and continue forward toward the destination. Imagine the idea of Inspiration, what does it feel like to be inspired? Like the interests that make you feel alive. Those moments where you feel fully immersed in your activities, a deep flow-state. As the things that energize and motivate act as pattern breaks - they turn limitations into opportunities, where 'stuckness' becomes drive and limitations melt away effortlessly.

So I mentioned before that I experienced cycles of excitement + drive and stagnancy and complacency, that I simply acknowledge it and enjoy life to the best of my ability - through both the ups and the downs, but what if, with the understanding of these internal patterns, I could find a way to... I almost imagine flipping a switch, a pattern break to bring myself from stagnancy to excitement and become balanced once more. That's partly what this exercise of writing is about. I argue with my thoughts in writing and come away with a deeper understanding. Some people are deeply in-touch with their internal-patterns, for me it takes work to truly understand. The inner world is not one that's easy to understand, at least, not at a level that is meaningful, so I do my best to maintain the balance any way I can.

So what does this mean to me? I am acknowledging that I experience two distinct patterns during a cycle of ups-and-downs in life, that it manifests in periods of intense drive and excitement where limitations are surpassed, and other times where the excitement is gone and limitations seem daunting. What if i could train myself to observe the cause of the shift consciously, would the pattern would be easier to break? Would I spend more time in excitement, motivatiod, driven, and less time in complacency and stagnation, depression? It's the idea of "life happens to me" vs "life happens through me."

So In that moment, I realized I turned a corner. I could see the path forward and the Sun was shining. I held onto that feeling. I'll never forget it.

​I believe my "work" comes from a place of integrity, I know this as true, without question, without hesitation. My satisfaction lies in the positive impact I have on the lives of others, one-to-one, in a meaningful way. Aspects include positive relationships, Deep meaningful connections, and tangible results at the practical level, whether that is through accountability coaching, vision mapping, mindset shifts (getting out of your own way), or helping with the workload to deliver a product. They're pieces of the puzzle I engage with as I help my clients on their journeys authentically, and as they grow, I grow alongside them. An ultimate synergy..

To me it's amazing to play a support role where I don't have to be the main character. I don't see myself as the Hero on the hero's journey, but as the guide while the client takes on the Hero's Role. I never wanted the spotlight, so it's been a journey to discover the right niche, space where I can simply be myself, while providing value to others in a way that feels natural, one that allows me to work behind the scenes while making an impact on the lives of others.

I often remind myself, that if I can help even one person take even one step closer to actualizing their vision, I'll have accomplished my mission.

For example, I experienced my first tangible results only recently. It manifested in the form of attracting exactly the right people seeking my support. I found satisfaction with the realization that "yes, I can achieve results on this path." It was a game-changer for me. Confirmation. I had been seeking a solution to this puzzle for a very long time, trying one thing - then another, never quite getting what I needed, It never quite felt right. Truth is, it didn’t come from a truly authentic place, I was trying to be someone I was not and it never quite felt right.

So In that moment, I realized I turned a corner. I could see the path forward and the Sun was shining. I held onto that feeling. I'll never forget it. I found hope for my future as a new path was revealed before me. The experience showed me I was onto something and that I should keep going. It gave me the confidence to believe wholeheartedly in the mission before me.

I am embracing the current trajectory while observing the world around me, watching for doorways of opportunity and opening them where they're presented.

I focus on myself, developing my skills, knowledge, and understanding, and sharing my wisdom from it. The sharing allows me to transmute the knowledge into deeper understanding, which is wisdom. I believe that if I walk this path, the desired outcome will appear effortlessly. Now, that's not to say there isn't some element of work involved. I have a system for it, rinse and repeat.

I don't spend my days stressing about working harder, in my mind, it shouldn't be necessary. Surely if i were to work 18 hours a day solely on my business to the exclusion of all else, I'd see more progress, but at what cost? I believe there's a balance to all things. I am making an effort to show up every day in the way that I can, without worrying about what I might have missed had I worked harder. When I think of the word business, I see busy-ness. Is my business to keep me busy? No! It is a vehicle to deliver a sense of purpose and giving energy to it is my commitment to purpose.

I'm sure there's an aversion to it somewhere in my psyche. I trust that it will be revealed in time. It will teach me the lesson I need to learn when it's time to learn it. My practice is more about allowing life to flow its natural course here. Not building dams to redirect the current, but about navigating the flow. Imagine life is a river, we flow with its current, maybe navigating the eddies and flows, but not swimming against it, that would just be wasted energy. So should I embrace this further? what's to embrace? What if I'm already holding on too tightly? What if to embrace it further, I need to let it go? Imagine this business as a ship tied to the banks of the river, to let loose the chain tied to the dock, and allow it to float on happily downstream, guiding its direction but not fighting the current. Truth is, the idea is an extension of me, and it comes from a genuine place, so simply through my own being, I am embracing this more than ever. My role is simply to guide the vessel downstream, avoiding the eddies while riding the swiftest currents.

TL:DR

- Work and purpose are driven by authentic integrity and meaningful one-to-one connections
- Success comes from embracing the role of guide rather than seeking the spotlight
- Focus on personal development and wisdom-sharing from a place of fulfillment rather than constant busy-ness
- Business approach emphasizes natural flow and balance over forced progress
- Growth comes through allowing experiences to unfold naturally while maintaining direction

Key Questions

- How does your work align with your core values and create meaningful connections?
- In what ways are you serving as a guide rather than seeking to be the center of attention?
- How are you balancing personal growth with sharing your wisdom and experiences?
- Are you allowing your business to flow naturally or forcing progress?
- How can you maintain direction while letting experiences unfold organically?

I see it in myself even. Sometimes it feels uncomfortable to shine a light into the darkest corners...

Last year while doing some self-work, I discovered my true authenticity. It came from within. I discovered this technique to reprogram my subconscious, to write a brand-new script, one more conducive towards success. That said, there's always work to be done, I am at least humble enough to acknowledge this. I see it in myself even if it is sometimes uncomfortable to shine a light into the darkest corners. Reminds me of how the more one learns, the more is revealed. That is, there’s even more that we don't know - always something new to discover. I have to remind myself that the Journey is the destination, not the destination itself….

I often find myself reaching too hard for things, goals, outcomes... I felt myself always reaching, grasping, but it always seemed to slip away as hard as I tried. Like a moving goalpost.  A big lesson for me. Towards letting go, towards trusting, and allowing myself to receive. Life seems to flow much better that way. A discovery, a small milestone. I’ll keep this in the back of my mind and play a game with myself - to see if I can spot the reminders life presents as they appear in my day-to-day activities, as synchronicities, as events, as uncomfortable moments or challenges, as things I’d rather avoid - acknowledging that sometimes the hard thing is the thing that’s worth doing. because it’s outside the comfort zone where the growth is.

Vulnerability used to be a challenge. I say used to, because it’s a skill that is improving. I could imagine the hard shell of safety that comes from avoidance of risk… Now, If I were to tell myself that Vulnerability is my weakness, I’d be more likely to act as-if, and the reality would reflect… Expressing myself without fear of judgment, this used to be a much bigger challenge for me and while I’ve made great strides to overcome, there is still, as always much work still to do…

Authenticity from a place of self-worth, of self-discovery, and vulnerability and the expression of it shamelessly, unapologetically. It comes from the heart, from that inner-knowing. Relatability as a reflection of the expression from others mirrored back as it is put out into the world. There’s a concept from the book ‘The Four Agreements’ - the foggy mirror - others as a reflection of ourselves. I like to remind myself of this all the time.

I wonder if Authenticity, Vulnerability, and Relatability might be to self-knowledge as Grammar logic and rhetoric are to learning.

I’m reminded of an experience where I was “on the fence” about making a commitment, and taking a step. I took the step anyway, learning from past experience that overthinking can be an Achilles' heel. A decision I would regret more having not taken the step in the first place. I’ve learned that sometimes it’s better to jump in - both feet - and learn to swim along the way. An expense made me nervous, I forgot to trust my intuition and I reacted, instead of letting go with trust that the experience would play out ideally naturally. I could have saved myself some stress by trusting my gut on this one. Believe in the possibility, Live the desired outcome, live as-if and flow with it. A lesson learned. I’ll take extra care to Observe this pattern in the future.


I’ve been assisting a client with a critical eye for detail. My expectations might have been a faster-and-looser final product based on our discovery session, the volume of content, budget, time-frame and it’s intended purpose. Over the months as we progressed, reality would prove otherwise. Many rounds of revisions. This is somewhat to be expected though. Occasionally, during our check-ins and meetings, I reacted poorly to the conditions, even though we both respected each other's role in the project. My reaction was from a deep limiting-belief that maybe my work was not good enough, or maybe he didn't appreciate the amount of time it takes to get the level of detail he was seeking. This was later resolved through an honest discussion. Sometimes I might feel a certain way about the way others might feel without any proof. Its normally easy to spot this and remind myself that it’s an internal issue. Fact is though, any reaction that arises has consequences, as if ones inner-perception has just as big an impact on one's life as an external event would, maybe more. Sometimes I jokingly call the idea gaslighting myself for success but that’s another story. So we ended up having an honest conversation, It was a good chance to practice that vulnerability, eventually renegotiating our agreement to better reflect the scope of the project. It was a difficult reminder of how very important this idea of Reaction vs Response is... At the end of the day, I can only responsibility for my reaction with gratitude that I was at least, aware of my limiting beliefs here - on the one hand, enough to avoid disaster - on the other hand, not enough for ultimate victory. Lessons learned I suppose.

​Recommendations for Continued Growth

• Practice mindful observation of your reactions in daily situations to strengthen the gap between stimulus and response
• Keep a reflection journal to track patterns in your emotional responses and celebrate progress in vulnerability
• Set specific challenges to step outside your comfort zone regularly, but with self-compassion
• Develop a meditation practice to enhance your awareness of limiting beliefs as they arise
• Create accountability partnerships with others on similar journeys of self-discovery
• Remember that setbacks are natural parts of growth - use them as learning opportunities rather than proof of limitation
• Continue practicing honest communication, starting with small situations and building up to more challenging ones

The key is to maintain momentum while being gentle with yourself. Growth isn't linear, and each experience - whether perceived as positive or negative - contributes to your development.

TL:DR​

• Authenticity emerges from deep self-work and inner discovery, requiring continuous growth and self-awareness
• True progress comes from letting go of constant striving and allowing life to flow naturally
• Vulnerability, though challenging, is a developing skill that requires moving beyond the safety of avoidance
• Self-worth, self-discovery, and vulnerability combine to create genuine authenticity
• Reactions often stem from limiting beliefs and internal perceptions rather than external reality
• Honest communication and self-awareness can transform reactive patterns into thoughtful responses

I've decided that with the new year of 2025, It'd make sense to do some more writing. One thing i like about the celebration of a new year - a new cycle, is that it's a chance to set the intention for the time-period moving forward, a fresh start of sorts. Some people might think that new years resolutions are bogus, but i might disagree. This article may give you some insight into my outlook on the topic. If you're reading this in the future, this topic doesn't only apply to new years resolutions. It's simply a common application. So we'll be doing a deep-dive into intention-setting, how it's connected to desire, motivation, and self-discipline. Lets go.​

Living with Intention: The Key to a Life You Love

Over the last few weeks, I'm sad to admit I caught myself slipping. More time on my phone, more procrastinating, watching the days blur into weeks until the month had vanished before my eyes. Sound familiar? It's that moment when you realize life is moving at warp speed, leaving you wondering: Where did the time go?

Now, I understand that you don't have to live on autopilot. It's easy to get 'stuck in a rut', but you can take the wheel, and it starts with intention. I'm not talking about vague New Year's resolutions or Pinterest-worthy morning routines. This is about something more fundamental: making deliberate choices about how you spend your precious time, energy, and focus.

There's a certain way I look at the flow of motivation and procrastination. I don't believe it's unusual or wrong to get into a period of stagnation. it comes and goes in cycles. We can talk about habit-forming as a solution another day. For today, the topic of exploration is intention in relation to Goal setting, 

The Heart of Intention

Here's something most people miss about intention—it's not just about making lists or setting goals. It's about tapping into something deeper: desire. Think of desire as the spark that ignites real change. Without it, even the best-laid plans feel like empty check boxes on yet another to-do list. Let me explain. When you set an intention like "eat healthier," but don't connect with why you truly want this change—maybe it's to have the energy to play with your kids without getting winded, or to feel confident and strong in your own skin—that intention often fizzles out by Wednesday afternoon.

But when you pair intention with genuine desire, That's when the magic happens. Suddenly, you're not just grudgingly eating salads because you "should." You're making choices that align with who you want to become, and it feels natural, almost effortless. Think of it this way: desire is your heart saying "I want this," intention is your mind creating the roadmap, and motivation? That's just what happens naturally when your heart and mind work together.

Take a moment right now. Close your eyes and ask yourself:

• What do I deeply want for my life right now?
• Why does this matter to me on a heart level?
• How would it feel to make choices that align with this desire?

When you connect with these deeper questions, you're not just planning—you're creating alignment between your innermost wishes and your daily actions. This is where real transformation begins.

From Desire to Action: What Intention Looks Like
​
Now that we understand how desire fuels our intentions, let's look at how this plays out in daily life. Think of intention as your internal compass. It keeps you aligned with your values and goals, even when life gets hectic. Instead of drifting through the day, you approach it with purpose.
For example:

Instead of vaguely wishing for better health, you set an intention: "I will move my body daily because I want to feel strong and energized. I want to feel strong and energized so I can be more present for my family, so i don't have to take a nap after work, instead i can play with my kids." Notice how the deeper you dig into it, the more clear the reasoning becomes. 

Instead of hoping for deeper connections, you decide: I will schedule weekly calls with friends to nurture our relationships. You've got the desire to maintain the relationships but why? If you know that your support network is valuable to you, that having allies in your life will come in clutch during times of need, it might provide more motivation to keep in contact. 

Intention brings clarity and focus to your life. It’s like saying, “This is what matters to me, this is why, and I’m going to show up for it.”

Why This Matters More Than Ever

In today's world, it's easy to get swept up in distractions—whether that's endless scrolling on social media, getting caught up in the latest viral debate, or saying yes to things that don't align with your goals. But when you set an intention, you take back control. Think about how often we react to life instead of directing it. That notification pops up, and we immediately check it. Someone shares a heated opinion, and we feel compelled to respond. Each reaction pulls us further from our chosen path. But intention flips the script—instead of letting the world dictate your next move, you're choosing it. It's the difference between being swept along by the current and deliberately steering your boat.

Here's something crucial to understand: while motivation gets all the attention, it's actually intention-backed discipline that creates lasting change. Motivation is like a fair-weather friend—wonderful when it's there, but unreliable. When you're clear on your intentions, you act regardless of how you feel in the moment. You make the call to your friend even when you're tired, or write that chapter even when Netflix is calling your name. Your intention becomes your anchor when motivation takes a vacation.

This brings us to a deeper truth about intention: there's a subtle but profound difference between being busy and being aligned. Many of us pride ourselves on packed schedules and endless to-do lists, but activity without intention is just noise. When you're truly clear on your intentions, you naturally begin to notice what fits and what doesn't. That "urgent" request that doesn't serve your deeper purpose becomes easier to decline. That quiet morning routine that centers you becomes non-negotiable. Alignment feels like coming home to yourself.

Consider how much energy we spend on things that don't truly matter to us. Each distraction, each reactive moment, each misaligned "yes" drains a little more from our limited daily energy reserve. Living with intention is essentially energy management—channeling your precious time and attention toward what genuinely matters. It's not just about doing different things; it's about doing things differently.

And here's where the magic really happens: setting an intention isn't just about what you do—it's about who you're becoming. Each time you choose aligned action over distraction, you're not just completing a task; you're reinforcing your identity as someone who lives purposefully. The small daily choice to read instead of scroll, to create instead of consume, to connect instead of withdraw—these aren't just actions, they're statements about who you are and who you're choosing to become.

This kind of intentional living creates a powerful ripple effect. As you become more conscious of where you direct your energy, you'll find yourself naturally gravitating toward choices that reflect your deeper values. The distractions don't disappear—they just lose their power over you. Because when you know what matters most, it becomes easier to let go of what doesn't.

Living with intention helps you:

• Stay Focused: You know where to direct your energy and avoid time-wasters.
• Live with Purpose: Every action feels meaningful because it ties back to your bigger "why."
• Feel Fulfilled: You're creating a life that reflects who you truly are and what you value.

The Daily Intention Framework

Let's make this practical. Here's a simple framework to keep you connected to your intentions throughout the day:

morning reset (5 minutes):

• Set your intention for the day
• Connect it to your deeper desire
• Choose one action that supports it

Midday Check-In (2 minutes):

• Pause and reconnect with your intention
• Adjust your course if needed
• acknowledge one small win

Evening Reflection (5 minutes):

•  Review how your actions aligned with your intention
• Note what supported or hindered you
• Set one intention for tomorrow 

Common Obstacles and How to Navigate Them:

• When you feel overwhelmed: Return to your "why"
• When motivation dips: Start with the smallest possible step
• When distractions pull you: Pause and ask, "Does this align with my intention?"

The Journey Ahead
Your journey forward can start from this very moment if you so-choose. Whether you're reading this during your morning coffee, on your lunch break, or late at night, you have the power to shift from autopilot to purpose right now. Regardless if you have been stuck in a rut in the past, and feel there's little hope or whether you feel you're on track already, remember it begins with a choice.
Living with intention is not about being perfect—it's about showing up. Sounds cliche, yes. This saying is popular for a reason. It's about making conscious choices that align with your deepest desires and values and then following through. Even the smallest intentional action creates ripples of positive change in your life. Those ripples will further extend to those around you and as a result, everyone's lives will be enriched. All by a simple choice and an action.
 
So, what's one intention you can set right now? Take a breath. Feel into what matters most to you today. Then take one small step in that direction.

Take the wheel and live a life you truly love—on purpose, one intentional moment at a time.

Lately, I've been automating my video editing. Learned a lot in the last few days, so recently, I asked an LLM to evaluate my skill level based on a chat I had running while learning how to write scripts to perform repeated tasks. Here's what it said...

It seems like these days, the barrier to entry for software development is getting more accessible. Keeping an eye on the machine learning trends, I’m seeing more capability to automate the process of writing code, but does that mean that just anyone can do it? I’d argue not, or at least not without some foundational knowledge. We’re talking principles here, and that’s why I found this analysis so interesting. It is a great example of what I wrote about in my Meta Learning article the other day, speaking to the idea that learning from principles provides a better foundation upon which to build.


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”Based on our conversation, I’d describe the skill level as intermediate to advanced, with a strong focus on practical problem-solving and customization within Blender's Video Sequence Editor (VSE). Here’s why:”

Now, I would view this period as the intersection point between beginner and intermediate skill levels. There was something in my mind that simply didn’t click. I knew enough to know how much I didn’t know, some core principle about how data is structured and formatted, but I couldn’t place exactly what that was. I needed to “get my hands dirty” to figure it out, trial-by-fire and all that. It’s a great way to get experience…

”Python Scripting: You're comfortable reading, writing, and troubleshooting Python scripts. You have experience navigating Blender’s API and addressing specific VSE tasks.”

My aim here was to work with executable scripts since it didn’t require anything sophisticated besides a few lines of code and some .py files. I figured this exercise would allow me to create something useful while keeping it simple.
“Problem Analysis: You effectively identify discrepancies (e.g., frame_start vs. actual strip positions) and propose logical solutions, like calculating ranges or using offsets.”

I considered the problem I was trying to solve. In this case, I had repeated functions in the video editing process that were time-consuming. I knew that I could automate most of them to save clicks, and thus time. This involved learning the functions that were available to me, what they were called, and logically thinking through how they could be applied.

”API Familiarity: You understand Blender’s properties (e.g., blend_alpha, frame_start) and know how to manipulate them programmatically.”

I discovered that my exercise would call upon pre-existing functions built into the software. This was a big eureka moment for me since I knew I had to tell my script to do something but I wasn’t sure how (at first). Turns out that the API call was the missing link, first telling the code where to look, then what specifically to look for, and then systematically calling the desired actions with a lot of experimentation, a lot of trials, and of course error.

It reminds me of this advice I read recently. Turns out I was doing this automatically.

”Failure is fuel. But many are afraid of it. The faster you run toward it, the faster you’ll grow. Stop tiptoeing around mistakes and embrace them. If you’re not failing, you’re playing it too safe. Want to grow fast? Fail faster! That’s how you learn, adapt, and dominate.”

”Automation & Optimization: You're exploring automating tasks, such as rendering multiple meta-strips or dynamically animating properties, which demonstrates advanced thinking about workflow efficiency.”

Workflow efficiency is an interesting concept to me, closely tied to the idea of beginning with the end in mind. I’ve always believed it is much more effective to start with a clear intention. The entire process doesn’t need to be fully developed, but the idea should be, so rather than stumbling around figuring it out as you go, and it’s not like there won’t be things to figure out along the way, the more structure that’s formed in advance, the better.

Debugging: You can analyze error messages, hypothesize causes, and adapt to resolve issues effectively (e.g., addressing float vs. int issues or understanding MetaSequence quirks).

In dealing with the many stages of trial-and-error in this experiment, there was a lot of logical thinking. The ability to not only ask questions but to ask relevant questions to find solutions to make the thing work was important. Sometimes it was a typo, which a bit of attention to detail helps to solve, while other times it was a problem in the flow of how I approached the problem. In the latter case, I had to seek an alternative method to achieve the same ends. There was a lot of creativity to it. There’s an art to everything I suppose…

”Exploring Complex Workflows: You've shown interest in optimizing rendering workflows (e.g., setting ranges, downscaling, codec changes) and integrating them seamlessly into production.”

This process was a lot of zooming out, acknowledging the skill level I was working at while asking myself “How can I achieve this simply?” I decided that not everything needed to be automated in the same script, but rather a series of modular components that could be mixed and matched as needed. Each script would do one thing, and I could adapt my workflow to apply them as needed. Not as advanced as it could be, but a quick and dirty solution to the problem at hand. The goal was to make a few for the most common repeated tasks, get them working, and store them in such a way that i could reuse them in the future.

”Interest in Broader Development Patterns: You've expressed curiosity about structuring code using OOP, making scripts modular, and improving readability—hallmarks of advanced coding practices.”

These interests came intuitively. It didn’t make sense to simply write a script to do a thing, I wanted to have something I could keep on hand to expand on as my skill level improved. I suppose its the idea of forward-thinking. Knowing that if someday I wanted to return to further develop this library of scripts, I don’t want to restart from scratch. I’d need to structure this in such a way that facilitates reusability. As it turns out certain programming principles can be applied to achieve this. I simply had to start asking the right questions to discover what they were.

I've been challenged by the combination of logical thinking and creativity that came with the experience, starting with a question I asked myself. 'okay, I have this thing I want to do, how can I do it?

to me, these are the types of skills that, despite the steep learning curve, will prove worth their worth over time. I believe it should be possible to self-direct my learning in this direction, simply by building more things I find useful.
Thanks for reading Cody Gene's Substack! If you enjoyed this story, Subscribe for free to receive new posts and show some love to support my work.

Yes, a "wandering" effect is absolutely possible and is a great way to add movement and interest to a mix. A wandering effect creates the sensation of unpredictability by gradually shifting across the stereo field or in depth, almost as if it's "wandering" around the listener. This effect can make a mix feel more dynamic and immersive, especially in ambient, electronic, and experimental music.

Phase modulation subtly shifts the timing of a signal in complex ways, which can create movement, depth, and even a sense of unpredictability in the stereo field. This approach can make sounds feel like they’re “wandering” within a mix by altering their spatial and tonal characteristics over time.

Advantages and Tips

• Subtlety is Key: modulation can be powerful, so subtle modulation often works best to avoid unwanted phase cancellation or a muddy mix.
  
• Complementing Other Effects: Phase modulation can work beautifully with effects like reverb, delay, or slight auto-panning to give sounds a three-dimensional character.
  
• Avoiding Phase Cancellation: Especially when using phase modulation in a stereo mix, watch for any unwanted cancellations that could thin out the sound. 
  

Understanding the mind to improve Skill Acquisition ​

This entry is one side of a coin. imagine it like left-brain vs right brain where these ideas take on a more rigid line-of-thinking, The game of inner-knowing is like a balance between the way we process things, and the adaptability-in-knowing, there's no one-sized-fits-all to this type of thing.... It is easy to say "Oh, I know how I think. I am this." There's this idea of neuroplasticity where we CAN learn new things, and what was once a weakness, can be strengthened. The whole subject goes deep. This article is about learning how to think about thinking in the context of learning new things...

Just as a musician discovers new techniques to refine the sound or as a creative entrepreneur practices networking to expand his/her impact, or builds out systems to reduce workload in routine tasks, the ability to learn quickly and adapt is important.

The intentional development of techniques can often feel overwhelming, leading to frustration, confusion, and feelings of lost time or aimlessness.

So let's introduce the idea of metacognition — the understanding of one’s own thought processes as a framework to navigate learning styles. In this article, we'll explore this concept and how it applies.

By reflecting on how you think, you'll begin to recognize certain patterns that can be harnessed to form strategies that can increase your speed of development. As you adapt your approach based on past experiences and lessons learned, you'll begin to optimize your skill acquisition and improve rapidly.

How can you overcome the obstacles of inexperience and unlock your potential?

Let’s dig in.


Part 1: Understanding Metacognition

At its core, the idea of metacognition involves two key components: knowledge and regulation. These apply to the way we think about thinking. What do you know about how you think about things, have you ever thought about it?


Some Definitions

When I'm practicing personal development intentionally, I like to start by understanding the components of the subject. It's the idea of learning who, what, where, and when, before asking why, and ultimately how. So let's start with some definitions.

Metacognitive Knowledge: This is your understanding of your learning processes. What strategies work best for you, what you already know, and what areas need improvement? It's like identifying how you learn best — whether through hands-on practice, visual aids, reading it in a book, or discussions with a mentor.


Metacognitive Regulation: This is the practice of controlling your thought patterns. How do you plan to approach learning a new subject? Hopefully not aimlessly since it's more effective to approach the subject (whatever that is) intentionally. There are techniques to help make this process more focused. Consider for a moment the four stages of learning (or four stages of competence) as first introduced in the 1960s, understanding that when first beginning to learn something, you may not know what you don't know and not even know that you don't know it. is there a way to get oriented to this new subject you're seeking to learn when you know very little about it?


Feedback Loops: how are you checking your understanding during the process? As you're soaking in new knowledge, do you have a way to put it into practice in a way that tells you clearly whether or not it is actually important to what you're seeking to DO with it? Knowledge isn't valuable if it can't be applied.

how do you evaluate your performance towards the tasks as you are applying it? Let's imagine for a moment that you have a mechanism for self-regulation that allows you to KNOW whether your approach is working and adjust strategies in real-time if not, ensuring you remain on the right track throughout the process. Imagine a scenario, and imagine what this mechanism might be in relation to it.


Let’s imagine you’re producing a beat, aiming to develop fresh ideas every time without hitting a creative block. To track your progress, you decide to use the number of unique save files as a measure of productivity. At the end of a week, you check your files and see that you’ve created only three saves across seven sessions. This simple metric helps you see that something’s limiting your creative flow, providing a starting point to dig deeper.

From here, you can begin to identify specific reasons for the gap between sessions and saves. Maybe certain techniques slow you down, or perhaps distractions keep interrupting your workflow. Identifying these root causes can help you see which patterns to change. For instance, if perfectionism leads you to overthink every beat, try setting a timer to finish initial ideas faster. If distractions are the culprit, consider blocking off focused, uninterrupted time.

This reflection and adjustment process creates a feedback loop—each week, you can repeat this cycle, observing your output, analyzing what’s working, and tweaking your approach. The save-files metric isn’t the only marker you could use, though. Tracking time in “creative flow” or rating your satisfaction with each session can give more insight, helping you focus not just on quantity but also quality.
​
These small adjustments can interrupt unproductive habits and build momentum, leading you toward the goal of becoming a productive, consistently creative producer. By continually refining your approach, you’re actively aligning your methods with your goals, ensuring each session brings you closer to success while staying inspired and effective.

These ideas can transform the way you can approach learning, making you more adept at identifying effective processes, giving you a way to reflect on your progress, and clear signs if adjustments need to be made based on experiences, ultimately to enhance your ability to master new skills effectively.


Applying Ideas of Metacognition to Rapid Skill Acquisition

Recognizing Your Learning Style
Understanding how you learn best can be useful in applying the ideas we're exploring here, since metacognition applies to the way we think about thinking, it makes sense to have an idea of what works for you and what doesn't. would you be best served to binge-watch YouTube tutorials without following along if you know you're a hands-on learner?

This means being aware of - and reflecting on - your thought processes. What was a time when I had that aha moment? Recognizing your learning style is one key to optimizing how you acquire new skills. Take time to reflect on your preferred learning methods — do you absorb information better through reading, listening, hands-on practice, through discussions? The awareness allows you to tailor your learning approach to align with your strengths. For example, if you find that visual aids help you grasp concepts more quickly, consider incorporating videos, diagrams, or infographics into your process. If you're a hands-on learner try making your own material. If you learn through discussions, have a conversation with someone more experienced than yourself.

a few questions

• How am I most comfortable approaching my learning of new information?
  
• What strategies work best for me to keep me engaged?
  
• Where do I usually encounter obstacles after I start?
  

Setting Clear Learning Goals

Establishing specific, achievable goals helps direct both your focus and motivation. A Goal helps give focus, allowing you to hone in on what is MOST important, and not get sidetracked with useless information. When setting goals, break them down into manageable steps and set some markers that you can use to track your progress, sounds obvious right?

Earlier this year, I set out to learn the djembe, starting with the question: what’s the most important foundation for playing this instrument? I realized that motor function and muscle memory were going to be the most effective thing i could do with my minimal level of experience, so I decided to focus first on the basic hand motions. I committed to practicing at least 15 minutes every day, paying attention to the rhythm of each motion, leading sometimes with my left hand and other times with my right. This daily practice developed muscle memory and revealed new patterns and techniques — although I tried to keep my focus on only mastering the fundamentals.

Once I felt okay with the basic motions, my next goal was to train my consistency. To practice this, I put on some music i liked and knew well, and simply played along, choosing only one or two songs to repeat for the entire session. This helped me build rhythm and stay in sync with the beat, using the music as a “backing track.” I measured my improvement by how long I could play without losing the groove, seeing if I could keep time with the song from start to finish and once i could do that, I'd find a new song with a new groove and repeat the process until i could play my instrument consistently in many time-signatures, genres, and tempos.

After gaining consistency, I focused on precision. I recorded my sessions with a metronome, allowing me to review each beat visually. By observing these recordings, I could tell if my drum hits were consistent in tone and timing, looking at whether I was rushing or lagging. Then I'd focus my efforts accordingly during my next session.

This process helped me recognize that incremental goals—like consistency, timing, and precision—were key to my progress. I also realized that recording and analyzing my sessions not only helped me keep track of improvement but also showed areas where I could improve, like timing accuracy. Building from the basics, I discovered that each skill builds upon the last, creating a steady, achievable path to skill mastery.


Monitor Your Understanding

As you engage with new material, check your comprehension. Ask yourself questions about what you’re learning: Do you understand the concepts? Could you explain them to someone else? Self-assessment enables you to see areas that need further exploration, areas preventing you from moving forward without a solid grasp of the fundamentals. If you find yourself struggling with a concept, it may not be a problem with the material itself, but with your approach to it. some solutions include seeking additional resources or a new angle of approach to reinforce your understanding.


Adaptation and Iterative integration of your Strategies

Thinking about how you learn, encourages flexibility in your approach. Self-awareness is key here. If a certain method isn’t yielding results, try experimenting with alternative strategies. For instance, if a marketing concept isn’t clicking with you through reading, consider watching tutorial videos, attending a workshop, or even discussing the topic with peers who might bring a fresh perspective.

This adaptability helps you find what works best for you, recognizing that different strategies work in different contexts. Sometimes, the best approach depends on the situation and the specific skill you’re trying to learn. By being open to change, you avoid grinding away at one ineffective method and instead find a path that keeps you motivated and productive.

Adaptability empowers you to tackle challenges rather than feel “stuck” and burn out trying things without understanding WHY. Learning to notice when you need a new strategy, and being willing to test options, makes your learning process more effective, allowing you to discover not only the best approach but also the style that keeps you inspired.


Reflect on Your Progress

After completing a task or project, take time to reflect on how it went. Ask yourself: What went well? What obstacles came up, and how did you address them? This reflective practice strengthens your learning, helping you identify what works best for you. For instance, if you found that breaking a big project into smaller steps helped you stay on track, you can carry this strategy forward.

Consider documenting your reflections in a journal to track your progress over time. You might use a journal to note daily wins, challenges, or new strategies that worked. Over time, reviewing these entries can be encouraging and insightful, helping you see how far you’ve come.

Self-reflection allows you to celebrate your successes and pinpoint areas for growth. This practice fosters a growth mindset, making it easier to embrace challenges rather than feel defeated by them. By actively reflecting and tracking your journey, you build a personal roadmap that shows you what’s working and where you can keep improving.


Seek Feedback

Regularly seeking feedback from peers, mentors, or your audience can significantly enhance your results. Constructive criticism provides valuable insights that may not be evident to you. For instance, if you’re a content creator, asking for feedback on your videos or posts can help you understand what resonates with your audience and what areas need refinement. Nothing can be more hindering than wondering why nobody engages with your content, receiving no feedback, and not knowing why. if this is the case, seek feedback actively through your existing network (ask your friends, or people you know). Embracing feedback is a tool in itself for growth, use it to your advantage to adjust your strategies and improve your skills.

Sometimes, I might "feel" like one approach might work but in reality, I've got a blind spot that is holding me back from getting the results in the best way. Imagine I'm holding the belief that all I need to do is keep grinding, so I work and work and work, but my efforts are being spent in the wrong place. Sure, I'll see my results in time but I could get there with less wasted effort. I might not be able to spot that I'm doing this without some method to get an outside perspective because I'm too close to the process where someone on the outside might see it immediately.


Growth Mindset

Adopting a growth mindset — the belief that your abilities can improve with effort—can make a profound difference in your learning journey. Raw effort alone may not cut it. The effort should be towards overcoming the obstacles in a meaningful way, not simply grinding through. When something feels difficult, take a moment to consider the cause. Sometimes, the obstacle may just need persistence, but other times it might call for a new approach or even a shift in perspective. For instance, if you’re struggling with a challenging project, ask yourself if you might benefit from breaking it into smaller steps, and considering how you're approaching each step. Maybe you're placing too much emphasis on the importance of one step, where you'll gain more from prioritizing another. Perhaps trying a different method, or reaching out for feedback will help you get through it.

When setbacks happen, reflect on what the experience taught you. Did you notice a pattern in your approach? This type of reflection not only strengthens resilience but also boosts motivation. It reminds you that every challenge holds an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow. The next time you face a difficulty, use it as a chance to practice these skills, building confidence in your ability to overcome challenges.


Strategies to Identify High-Yield Aspects of a Skill

Is your focus on improving your skill, or effectively improving the skill? what’s the difference?

Analyze the Skill: Break down the skill into its essential components and identify which elements contribute the most to your success. For example, if you’re learning music production, focus on core techniques like mixing or sound design that have a significant impact on the final product. This targeted analysis helps you prioritize your learning efforts, ensuring that you’re investing time in the most valuable areas.

Identify Recurring Patterns: Observe successful practitioners in your field to uncover common techniques or strategies they employ. This could involve studying popular artists, analyzing their marketing approaches, or exploring how they engage with their audiences. Recognizing these patterns allows you to adopt and adapt strategies that are proven to yield results.

Experiment in Real Contexts: Apply your skills in practical situations to discover which aspects yield the best results. Create small projects where you can test different techniques and approaches. For instance, if you’re a visual artist, experiment with various styles in your portfolio to determine which resonates most with your audience. This hands-on experience provides valuable insights that can guide your future learning.

Focus on Critical Skills:
Identify the most essential skills that contribute to your success and prioritize developing those first. This might mean honing your songwriting ability as a musician or refining your digital marketing skills for your online business. Tracking your progress through key performance indicators (KPIs) helps maintain motivation and direction, ensuring that you’re making meaningful strides toward your goals.

Observe Diminishing Returns: Pay attention to when additional effort yields minimal results. For instance, if you find that spending hours perfecting a single piece of content doesn’t lead to significantly better engagement, it may be time to shift your focus. Recognizing the point of diminishing returns allows you to allocate your time and energy more effectively, fostering a more balanced approach to your creative endeavors.

Metacognitive Principles: Apply these strategies to understand your most effective learning techniques. Reflect on past experiences to determine what worked well and what didn’t. For example, if you realize that you grasped certain marketing concepts more quickly through discussions with peers, prioritize that approach in the future. This self-awareness enables you to streamline your skill-acquisition process, making it more efficient and enjoyable.

One of the biggest roadblocks to achievement is getting in our own way. We often get stuck in loops based on deeply ingrained beliefs. Let's talk about Persistence, the continuous effort to achieve a goal despite obstacles, challenges, or failures.

As limiting Beliefs are mental constructs shaped by past experiences, our culture, or upbringing. Imagine filters through which we interpret our reality, some of these are constructive, and some are detrimental to progress. Persistence involves sticking with a goal even when things become difficult and progress is slow. In the context of limiting beliefs and self-improvement, persistence is about repeatedly confronting those limiting thoughts by showing up every day, doing the work, and pushing forward despite obstacles. It's the idea of the daily grind, It's not always easy to get motivated, but this approach trains one to push through resistance, over time.

Building resilience

Let's Imagine that resilience is a skill that can be trained through persistence. How important is it to see a project through to completion? There's no right answer, every situation is different but most setbacks/challenges can be overcome with effort, and making this effort can be the hardest part. If it was easy then everyone would do it, and if everyone was successful, then everyone would be average and there'd be no motivation to do it in the first place.

Through persistence, you'll learn to develop your mental and emotional strength to endure challenges. Every time you face and overcome a setback, you become more resilient to future obstacles.


There's a certain measure of strength in persistence because it forces you to confront uncomfortable feelings like frustration, fear, or disappointment. Learning to push through these emotions rather than avoiding them allows you to understand their root cause. You strengthen your emotional resilience through practicing persistence. Over time, setbacks will feel less overwhelming, and you become more confident in your ability to work through them.

Persistence trains your brain to create new mental patterns that promote resilience. The more you work through your challenges and practice persisting, the more you reinforce neural pathways associated with perseverance, optimism, and problem-solving. This effectively rewires your brain to respond to challenges with a healthy mindset, rather than giving in to self-doubt.

Self-efficacy is the belief in your ability to succeed. This is a core component of resilience. Persistence helps develop self-efficacy by providing you with repeated opportunities to achieve small wins, we've talked about this before. It's important to appreciate the little wins since it's akin to re-programming your mind to believe success is possible. Gradually, as you persist and achieve goals, you reinforce the belief that you are capable of handling difficulties, further increasing your resilience and your ability to persist through difficulties you encounter.

One of the most important aspects of resilience is the ability to learn from setbacks and adapt. Persistence teaches these lessons. Each time you persist and overcome a problem, you gain valuable experience that makes you better equipped to handle future challenges.



Imagine you're training for a marathon and have never run long distances before. Initially, you may feel exhausted, experience physical discomfort, and face self-doubt, “I’m not a runner”. However, by persisting with a training regimen, maybe doing a bit of research or seeking advice from someone with experience to discover the optimal approach, and showing up every day to put in the effort, you'll notice that, gradually, your endurance increases. As you continue, resilience to physical and mental fatigue strengthens. Each run builds your capacity to handle discomfort, helping you bounce back from setbacks like muscle soreness or missed training sessions. you might even find that you begin to enjoy the experience, finding motivation in the feeling of knowing your persistence is the key factor in your completion of the marathon.


Breaking through self-imposed barriers

Many limiting beliefs are deeply ingrained, and it takes repeated efforts to break through them. Persistence allows you to challenge and replace these beliefs over time. The first step to overcoming is understanding. Acknowledge that there may potentially be a mental block that is causing the tension. Consider the idea of, as when practicing an instrument when learning a new piece of music or a new riff, going slow to go fast. there are several mindfulness practices to help bring awareness to mental-blockages via sensing and intuition. These practices help bring one's awareness to the 'center, or present moment' which allows for the processing of feelings not otherwise recognized by the conscious mind. This can be a discussion for another day, but here is a quick introduction.

Scan your body to Notice the tension in your shoulders, a clenched jaw, or a tight chest. Physical sensations like rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, or feeling hot can indicate emotions such as fear or frustration. Physical Discomfort can be a sign of psychological stress. The two work together. It is possible to learn how to look for signs in the body that reveal limitations in the mind/emotions. Sounds woo-woo, but these two are indeed connected.

Pause and breathe: if you notice a physical reaction, pause and take a few deep breaths. This can help you tune into the emotion/discomfort and allow space for reflection. This process of reflection often leads to an intuitive solution. Persistence doesn't mean rushing through or doing things quickly. Think of it as consistency and confidently approaching things in a meaningful and healthy way.

Mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation trains you to be more aware of your thoughts and emotions as they arise, without judgment. Over time, this enhances your ability to recognize uncomfortable feelings when they occur. The process of meditation can be done anywhere at any time, it doesn't require any specific posture or a special type of candle. Simply take a moment to still (feel) the body, quiet the monkey-brain and if a thought comes let it flow to you and through you, leaving a sense of calm clarity at the end of the experience. The whole thing can take anywhere from 2 minutes to a half hour. It's simply a thing you can do to de-stress.

Acknowledge emotions by giving them a name. To work through something, it's important to first acknowledge that it exists in the first place. If, for example, you’re experiencing frustration, fear, or disappointment, labeling the emotion helps to bring awareness to it, making it easier to manage. As an exercise, try using specific language: Instead of 'This sucks', try to label the feeling precisely— "I’m feeling frustrated because this task isn’t going as planned" or "I’m disappointed because I didn’t meet my goal." This specific type of language helps to bring clarity to the cause of the discomfort. It opens the door for constructive questions like:

"since I'm disappointed because I didn't meet my goal, why did i not meet my goal?"

"Were my expectations not in alignment with my ability to achieve them?"

"What was the point where I felt the most resistance?"

"Is there a way that I can adapt my workflow or change what I am doing in order to achieve a better result?


Often, we label everything as “stress,” but a range of emotions can cause stress. Learning to differentiate between frustration, fear, sadness, or even overwhelm can help you understand what’s really going on. Journaling is a great way to explore and process the complexities of your inner self. Writing things down helps clarify thoughts and emotions, allowing you to see patterns or recurring triggers for uncomfortable feelings. The act of writing is a process of 'arguing' with yourself. It reveals these deeply-ingrained inconsistencies in our thought patterns. Yes, this is a part of human nature, we all have them. The key difference between someone with a healthy mindset and the ability to persist is having an effective approach to dealing with them

if you notice an emotional reaction, take notice and once you calm down, take a moment to ask yourself reflective questions rather than making a snap-judgments. The snap judgments are what, if left unchecked, become deeply ingrained limiting beliefs. Processing your emotional triggers rationally will help you better understand the source and nature of your feelings, which in turn helps you unpack the emotion and get to its root cause.

"What am I feeling right now?"

"What triggered this feeling?"

"What is this emotion trying to tell me?"

"Am I reacting to the present moment, or is this tied to a past experience?"

"How is this emotion affecting my thoughts and behavior?"

Asking questions encourages a deeper understanding of how we process emotion. Rather than suppressing, ignoring, or reacting impulsively, seek to understand their nature. One method to recognize the context in which emotions arise is called the "HALT method". This is a tool for recognizing the physical context under which emotions arise. It reminds you to check whether your uncomfortable feelings are tied to basic states, being:

Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired

These states can heighten emotional responses and make us more reactive. Checking in with yourself using HALT can help you understand whether you need to address a physical or emotional need before reacting.

Uncomfortable emotions often follow specific patterns or are triggered by particular situations. By recognizing these triggers, you can become more attuned to the emotions that arise from them. Is there a specific situation, task, or person that consistently brings up feelings of frustration, fear, or disappointment? As we talked about awareness before, recognizing the patterns that trigger these responses allows you to prepare for and manage your emotions more effectively while building up resilience and training the ability to persist through nearly any challenge.

One of the biggest obstacles to recognizing uncomfortable feelings is reacting too quickly. Slowing down allows you to process the emotion rather than reacting impulsively. Before reacting to an emotion, take a few moments to pause and reflect. Even a few seconds of deliberate breathing can make a difference in how you process the emotion. Have you ever heard when a parent asks his/her child to stop and count to ten? This simple act works well when you feel an emotion bubbling up, like frustration or anger. Counting to ten gives your brain a chance to catch up with your body and recognize what you’re feeling before you act on it.

Developing mastery

Skills and personal growth take time to develop. For example, overcoming the belief that "I'm not good at public speaking" requires consistent practice and incremental improvement. A fear of failure can cause one to give up before even trying. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, no one will judge you for trying, and even if they do, so what? Its persistence allows for gradual growth. This is a key to developing mastery over anything in life that's worth doing. Have you ever paid attention to a project that is wildly successful? It likely didn't happen overnight (even if it appears that way). No, behind the scenes there was an incredible amount of development, personal growth, and of course mistakes which were persisted through and overcome.

Reinforcing self-discipline

Continuously working toward a goal, despite frustration or slow progress, reinforces habits of discipline, which are essential for long-term self-improvement. Self-discipline is the ability to control one’s emotions, behaviors, and desires in the face of temptation and impulse, and it plays an important role in achieving long-term goals. Developing self-discipline requires ongoing practice and reinforcement, as it helps you stay consistent and focused even when motivation wanes.

Intrinsic motivation is akin to your internal reasoning for your goals (e.g., personal growth, health, or self-fulfillment) rather than external rewards (e.g., money or social validation). Intrinsic motivation provides a deeper sense of satisfaction and helps maintain discipline when external rewards are absent. Think of this as the reason you get out of bed in the morning. It's easier not to sleep in if you have something you're excited to do, and it’s easier to get excited to do the thing if you are doing it for internally sourced reasons. An excellent exercise to bring clarity to this type of motivation is to take an evening to write it down from the perspective of your core values and long-term vision. It acts as a guidepost when distractions or temptations arise.

if a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This helps build discipline by tackling small tasks that might otherwise be procrastinated on.

Self-discipline often involves postponing short-term pleasure for long-term gain. Developing the ability to delay gratification strengthens your willpower and ability to stay focused on bigger goals. Reward yourself for completing milestones but delay immediate pleasures until after the deep work is done. For instance, if you enjoy consuming YouTube videos, only allow yourself to do so after completing your task.

Visualize the benefits of long-term success and the consequences of giving in to short-term impulses. This mental exercise reinforces your commitment to the goal, making it easier to delay gratification.

Identify things that distract you from getting your tasks done and take steps to remove or limit your access to them. For example, use website blockers or unplug the wifi router during productive time. The idea here is to remove the temptation to allow for more focus.

Set up your surroundings to support your goals. If you want to read more, keep books easily accessible; if you want to exercise, prepare your workout clothes the night before.

Keep a notebook to track habits and record daily efforts. Seeing your progress reinforces the sense of accomplishment and keeps you motivated. Remember, the tiny steps may seem insignificant in the moment, but they add up over time. Logging your progress gives you something to look back upon, seeing how much you've actually achieved.

Regularly evaluate how you’re doing in relation to your goals. Weekly or monthly reviews help you identify areas where you need to improve your discipline and adjust accordingly. I like to write a journal page monthly. I write down three achievements, three areas where I could improve, and three things I learned from my weaknesses. Next, I'll check in with whether I'm on track toward the long-term vision, and decide which big-picture goals I should focus on for the next month. from there I'll write down a handful of tasks I can do to accomplish these tasks.

If you have someone trustworthy to speak with about your progress, share your goals with a trusted friend, coach, or family member who can check in with you regularly and offer support. Knowing that someone else is watching your progress helps bring accountability, in turn helping you stay disciplined.

Connecting with a group or community of people who share your goals (e.g., fitness groups, writing circles) provides motivation and accountability. Being part of a community makes you more likely to stay disciplined, as you be exposed to the thoughts, stories, discoveries, and lifestyles of others who are working in your same direction.

A big part of developing self-discipline involves saying “no” to distractions, unnecessary commitments, or temptations. Practice saying no to things that don’t align with your goals. For instance, if your goal is to focus on a side project, say no to social engagements that could take away from your working time. Saying no often feels uncomfortable, but it reinforces your commitment to your priorities, reinforcing self-discipline by setting boundaries. If there's something you're on the fence about committing to, try saying no instead.

Self-discipline requires energy, both mentally and physically. Balance self-discipline with rest and recovery to avoid burnout. Incorporate short breaks into your daily routine to prevent fatigue. Regular rest will keep you more productive and disciplined in the long term. Self-discipline is also harder when you’re tired. Take steps to make sure you're getting enough sleep each night. This will help you maintain focus and sharpen your decision-making abilities.

Risks of Over-Persistence

While persistence is often seen as a key factor in achieving long-term success, there are certain risks associated with over-persistence or excessive determination. When persistence crosses the line into stubbornness or obsession, it can lead to negative outcomes, such as burnout, inefficiency, and damage to relationships or well-being. Understanding these risks allows for a more balanced approach, where persistence is applied wisely and flexibly.

Stubbornness

Sticking to a plan that isn’t working can lead to frustration, burnout, and stagnation. Sometimes people continue to persist without reassessing whether their strategy or goal is still aligned with their true needs or values.

Stubbornness is a form of over-persistence when a person refuses to adapt or re-evaluate their approach, even when it’s clear that the current strategy isn’t working. In this case, persistence becomes a liability rather than an asset.

How Stubbornness Develops

Attachment to original plans: People can become attached to their initial ideas, goals, or methods. The emotional investment in being "right" or achieving a particular vision can blind them to more practical or efficient alternatives.

Fear of change: Some individuals fear change or the uncertainty that comes with altering their plans. This fear can lead to a rigid mindset, making them overly persistent in the face of evidence that they should pivot.

Ego and pride: A person may persist in a particular course of action because admitting they need to change could feel like an admission of failure or weakness. This stubbornness can be driven by pride, as they refuse to let go of their original approach.

Negative Consequences of Stubbornness

Wasted time and resources: By continuing with an ineffective strategy, stubbornness wastes time, effort, and resources that could be better utilized elsewhere. For example, an entrepreneur who refuses to change their business model despite poor results may burn through capital and market opportunities.

Limited growth: Stubbornness often limits personal and professional growth because it prevents people from learning new strategies, exploring alternative methods, or learning from the feedback from others.

Damaged relationships: Being overly stubborn can alienate others. Colleagues, friends, family, or mentors may grow frustrated with someone who refuses to listen to advice or consider other perspectives, leading to strained relationships.

How to Mitigate Stubbornness

Adopt a flexible mindset: Flexibility is key to maintaining healthy persistence. This involves being open to new information and approaches, understanding that goals may evolve, and allowing yourself to pivot when needed.

Healthy Non-attachment: Oftentimes, stubbornness arises because one is too close to the project. Actively soliciting feedback from others, especially from those who are not as close to the thing as you are, will offer a new perspective. An outside view can reveal blind spots and help you see when you’re being overly rigid in your persistence. Remember though, that since you're likely emotionally invested in this, the feedback is only useful if you're open to receiving it with an open mind, and this is not always easy.

Iterative Learning (trial and error): Approach goals with a mindset that trial and error is part of the process, that failure doesn't mean you lose the game but instead is an opportunity to improve. Persistence should be balanced with a willingness to adjust based on new information, and to adapt accordingly.


The Sunk cost fallacy

You might persist because you’ve already invested a lot of time, effort, or resources into something, even if it’s no longer serving your growth. This is known as the sunk cost fallacy which keeps you tied to an ineffective strategy.

The sunk cost fallacy refers to the tendency to continue investing in a failing endeavor because of resources already spent, even when it's clear that abandoning the course would be more beneficial. Over-persistence can risk trapping people in something that doesn't work, leading to irrational decisions.

How the Sunk Cost Fallacy Develops

Emotional attachment to past effort: People often feel emotionally invested in their past efforts, especially if they’ve worked hard on something. It’s difficult to abandon a project or goal that requires significant energy.

Desire to avoid admitting failure: Many individuals persist because they don’t want to admit that their investment was in vain. There’s a sense of shame or loss in walking away from something that hasn’t worked out, so they keep going to “save face.”

False hope of future payoff: People often believe that if they just persist a little longer, the situation will turn around. This leads to a cycle of continuing with a failing course of action in the hope that the payoff will eventually justify the costs.


Negative Consequences of the Sunk Cost Fallacy

Escalating costs: By persisting in a failing endeavor, individuals or organizations often throw good money (or time, energy, and resources) after bad. For instance, a company may continue to invest in a failing product, draining financial resources that could have been redirected toward more promising ventures.

Inability to pivot: When people fall into the sunk cost trap, they miss the chance to pivot to a more productive path. Over time, this results in missed opportunities for innovation, growth, and success.

Emotional burnout: Continually persisting in something that isn’t working can lead to frustration, stress, and burnout. People may feel stuck, knowing the endeavor isn’t working but unable to let go due to the amount they’ve already invested.


How to Avoid the Sunk Cost Fallacy

Focus on future potential, not past investment: When deciding whether to continue with a goal or project, base the decision on future potential rather than what you’ve already invested. Ask yourself, “If I were starting fresh, would I still pursue this path?”

Regular reviews: Periodically review your progress and the value of your efforts. Honest assessments help you determine if continuing to invest makes sense or if it’s time to cut your losses. Pick some measurable metrics by which to evaluate the performance of your efforts. In fields such as marketing these are called your Key Performance Indicators, which can help you objectively tell whether your efforts are bearing fruit, or whether a course correction is required.

Be willing to let go: Recognize that abandoning a failing endeavor isn’t necessarily a failure; it’s a strategic decision. Letting go frees up resources and energy to pursue more viable options. As a matter of perspective, there is opportunity in mistakes. Letting go is useful for the future only if the mistakes are learned from.


Missed opportunities for innovation

By being overly focused on persisting with one approach, you may miss out on creative or alternative solutions that could be more effective or fulfilling. There is a concept known as tunnel vision, where you become so focused on one goal or course of action that you overlook other opportunities that might be more beneficial or fulfilling.


How Missed Opportunities Develop

Overcommitment to one path: People often become so committed to a specific goal, job, or strategy that they ignore alternative paths that may arise. This can happen because they believe changing course would be disloyal to their original plan. Here again, is where the idea of healthy non-attachment can prove useful. Imagine okay? you have your goal, it’s the direction you're moving, and it guides your decisions, but you're not emotionally invested in the outcome. Now imagine you're holding onto an expectation that things may not go exactly according to plan every single time. Does this leave your door open to unique opportunities? Does this allow you to grab hold of a new course that presents itself spontaneously?

Fear of the unknown: The familiarity of the current path, even if it’s not working, can lead people to resist exploring other options. The uncertainty of trying something new may feel too risky, so they continue persisting with their current approach.

Lack of awareness of alternatives: When you’re stubbornly persistent, you may not even notice opportunities as they appear. This tunnel vision can prevent you from seeing new and better ways to achieve your goals or even recognizing goals you didn’t know you wanted.


Negative Consequences of Missed Opportunities

Stagnation: By persisting on one path without considering alternatives, people might stagnate in their careers, personal lives, or businesses. For example, an employee might continue working at a job that isn’t fulfilling because they’re persistent in pursuing promotions there, missing the chance to take on a more rewarding opportunity or role elsewhere.

Opportunity cost: The cost of missed opportunities isn’t just about what you lose by continuing with a less effective path; it’s also about what you could have gained by exploring alternatives. Time and resources spent on a less fruitful path are time and resources that could have been invested elsewhere. The challenge here lies in developing the ability to weigh life decisions against personal goals and values, and to action these decisions based on probability of achieving the most desirable outcome.

Limited growth: By failing to recognize or pursue other opportunities, people may limit their potential for growth and development. Sticking rigidly to one path can prevent you from expanding your horizons, learning new skills, or discovering more fulfilling experiences.


How to Avoid Missing Opportunities

Keep an open mind: Even when focused on a goal, remain open to new possibilities. Things don't always go according to plan; in fact they rarely do, but that doesn't mean the outcome isn't meaningful or desirable. Be open to exploring alternatives, even if they seem outside of your original scope. Regularly ask yourself, “What other paths could lead me to my goal—or perhaps a better one?”

Periodically reassess your goals: Life and circumstances change. Periodically reassessing your goals and strategies ensures that you’re not pursuing something simply because you’ve been doing it for a long time. This reflection can help you recognize new opportunities that better align with your evolving values and desires.

Consider the bigger picture: Instead of focusing exclusively on one goal, look at your broader trajectory. If you notice a new opportunity, ask yourself how it may fit into the larger picture of what you want to achieve, rather than being overly fixated on one path. Weigh these new opportunities against your current trajectory asking yourself,

"Does this new opportunity fit into the current picture?"

"how might I need to adapt if I take this on, would I need to re-work what I've already done?"

"how likely is this new opportunity to get me closer to my goal?"

"Would I feel satisfied with the work involved to make it happen?"


Pivoting: Adapting to New Information

Pivoting involves reassessing your approach and making adjustments when it becomes clear that your current strategy isn’t working. This can mean shifting goals, changing tactics, or rethinking your mindset entirely. A pivot is a strategic shift in approach, method, or direction while remaining committed to the core vision, values, and long-term objectives. It involves recognizing that the current path may not be the most effective or sustainable, and adjusting your tactics or focus accordingly.

Adaptation: Pivoting is largely about adapting to new information or changing circumstances. It involves reevaluating your approach and finding a better way to achieve your goal, rather than giving up on the goal itself.

Commitment to the goal: You’re still focused on achieving your original goal, but you change how you get there. For example, you find your brand or product isn’t resonating with your audience, so you might pivot to focus on a different audience more in alignment or adjust your presentation of the product while still aiming to achieve the connection with your current audience.

Flexibility: Pivoting requires flexibility and an openness to evolving your approach. Keep an open mind. Maintain a willingness to experiment with new ideas and methods, rather than being rigidly tied to one specific path. Life is change, and complex systems are... complex. The ability to go with the flow can be the difference between effortless achievement and a perpetual struggle.

Learning from experience: Pivoting often comes from recognizing that something isn’t working as well as it could. The key to remember is to take the lessons learned from failure or inefficiency to heart and use these to refine your strategy as you move forward.


Examples:

Business pivot: A company might shift from a B2C (business-to-consumer) to a B2B (business-to-business) model if they find that businesses are more interested in their product than individual customers.

Personal goal adjustment: A person training for a marathon might discover that running long distances is causing injury. Instead of giving up on fitness altogether, they might pivot to cycling or swimming as a more sustainable way to stay active.

Project re-scoping: A writer might realize that their novel’s original storyline isn’t working, so they pivot by introducing new characters or a different plotline while still aiming to write a book.

Abandonment: Letting Go of the Goal

Abandoning refers to completely giving up on a goal, project, or course of action without the intention to pursue it in any form. It is a final decision to stop putting effort into a particular endeavor because the costs or challenges outweigh the benefits. Abandonment of a goal is never an easy decision, The risks from over-attachment can be costly though. If something isn't working, however, sometimes this is the only course available. Weigh your decision carefully.

Giving up on the goal: When you abandon something, you are no longer committed to achieving that goal or pursuing that path. It’s a conscious decision to stop altogether, without looking for alternative methods to continue.

Cutting losses: Often, abandoning happens when you recognize that an investment of time, energy, or resources no longer makes sense. It’s the realization that continuing would be more harmful or wasteful than quitting.

Final decision: Unlike pivoting, abandoning doesn’t involve tweaking your strategy to achieve the same goal. Instead, it is a complete cessation of effort or interest in the goal itself.

Moving on to something else: After abandoning a goal, you may want to redirect your focus and energy to a completely new objective, rather than trying to achieve the original one differently. All that energy you were putting into your goal or project has to go somewhere. Give yourself something new to keep your mind occupied. If a goal or project is abandoned and replaced with nothing but an empty void, it can lead to unhealthy habits forming in their place.

Examples:

Business closure: A company may abandon a product line or shut down entirely if it becomes clear that the business model is unsustainable or the market no longer supports it.

Letting go of a personal goal: If someone realizes that a particular career path is not what they want anymore—due to a change in interests or values—they might abandon it and pursue a completely different career.

Ending a relationship: If a personal or professional relationship becomes toxic or irreparable, someone might decide to end it altogether, rather than trying to improve or change the dynamics.

TL: DR

Persist When: progress is being made, the goal is still achievable, and the current approach shows promise despite challenges.

Pivot When: the goal is still valuable, but the current method is not working or needs adjustment. Adapt your strategy while staying committed to the overall goal.

Abandon When: the goal is no longer relevant, aligned with your values, or worth the continued investment of time and resources. Let go and focus on new opportunities
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Limited Perspective?

As Trailblazers we make our own way, set our own standards. We understand who we are and remain true to our own selves (however we define it). but how do we get to that point in the first place? It takes a level of confidence and a willingness to experiment, to try and fail and learn and fail again, each time growing and improving until methods are refined and stability is reached. a narrow perspective of what constitutes meaningful achievement is limiting. It ignores the broader spectrum of success that includes learning, resilience, and the richness of lived experiences.

The difference? One with a limited perspective, despite some successes, can still feel unfulfilled and stressed, constantly chasing the next external marker of success. A broader scope of blazing one's own trail results in a greater fulfillment, reduced stress, and a deeper sense of achievement simply by re-valuing the spectrum of success. Perception is a major player in the outcome.