Don’t Be Derailed
Did you know that the second Friday in January is called National Quitters Day? It’s earned that name because, by then, most people have already abandoned their New Year’s resolutions. The gym memberships stop being used, the self motivation disappears, and the commitments we swore would change our lives fade away to busy days and personal distractions.
Attacks and Distractions
Each of us has personal vulnerabilities—deeply ingrained triggers or personal weaknesses, that derail us. These triggers are a force that rob us of our joy, purpose, and best intentions.
It’s not an obvious force. It doesn’t announce itself. Instead it sneaks in quietly with a little voice whispering, Stay in bed, it’s too cold outside. A seed of resentment toward the coworker who didn’t give you credit for your idea. Or a flicker of doubt that tells you “You’ll never really change, so why bother?” Maybe even a trace of self importance or pride, "It’s their fault, not yours; don’t give in." Left unchecked, these small moments take root. That whisper of laziness grows into an unhealthy habit. That flicker of doubt becomes a wildfire of self-sabotage. And the self importance and preservation becomes full blown rage.
C.S. Lewis captured this battle beautifully in The Screwtape Letters, a novel written from the perspective of two demons plotting to derail a human. They don’t use grand, obvious tactics. Instead, they manipulate subtly through fear, selfishness, insecurity, control, cynicism, addiction, and distraction. They tailor their attacks to the individual’s deepest vulnerabilities. They know exactly which buttons to push. And what distraction will push him off course.
So ask yourself: If you had a dark force assigned to you personally, what would it do to keep you off track? What distractions, emotions, or triggers keep you from showing up as your best self? What patterns have stolen your growth year after year? And just as importantly—what about the people closest to you? What derails them? Which of your behaviors trigger them and knocks them off track?
Take back the power
My friend Steve Scanlon says, ”If you can name it, you can tame it.”
So name it. Identify the forces that pull you away from the life you truly want or the person you want to become. Once you see them clearly, they lose their power.
Don’t be derailed. Recognize the force and push forward even if you have gotten a little off track.
Notes that Resonated
Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing
You can’t add years to your life, but you can add life to your years
Time or Money- Warren Buffet is worth billions but he is 94 would you trade lives with him?
Don’t give up what you want most for what you want now
Good things don’t happen by default; they happen by design
All things are possible for the one who believes
Don’t let the things you want make you forget the things you already have
Focus on people not winning
When you forgive, you don’t carry the weight… be a good forgetter
Your internal motives will color your leadership
How you see people is how you treat people
Things to read
High Road leadership
In a world full of self service this book shifts our focus to what’s most important, valuing people and bringing them together.
Videos to watch
Top Quotes
"Nearly everything awesome takes longer than you think. Get started and don't worry about the clock." -James Clear
“No one is wrong on purpose” - Socrates
"You will lose the best way when you always have to have your way." - John Maxwell
Food & Drink
Cool Stuff
Listed as one of the best cookbooks in 2024. Great gift idea.
Using a simple five-minute base recipe, you can make the “brilliant” (Andrew Zimmern), “astonishingly good” (Ruth Reichl) flavors of the innovative “ice cream gods” (Bon Appétit) Salt & Straw at home.
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE SEASON BY Eater • Delish • Epicurious