The Smarter You Are

20 people had breakthroughs this week. Will the next one be you?

Two things for you to think about

The smarter you are, the better the excuses. Sometimes it’s more useful to turn your brain off.

You can always be right or you can learn and become successful.

But you can’t do both.

Two things for you to ask yourself

Where in your life are you choosing being right over being successful? What’s this costing you?

One thing for you to try this week

Pick one thing you’ve been making excuses about. Go do it. Let me know what happens.

Last week’s breakthroughs

In last week’s newsletter, I asked you to consider the things that shape your world, and choose which ones to keep.

JH has been doing this already:

Your assignment this week seems to be in line with my journey.

Last night, I ‘unsubscribed’ from a number of emails I have gotten for way too long and fill my mailbox. Last week I threw out a huge bag of unused foods on my shelf that I will no longer prepare. Last year I made a decision to stop ‘listening’ to my brother who lies, cheats and takes credit for me and others.

I know that I may still need to deal with him but although others question that choice it was the LAST choice after years of attempting to change that behavior.

Courage everyone, find your own peace.

Butch chose his outcome:

At age 37 I weighed 315lbs and I was fortunate enough to meet a doctor who was very knowledgeable in nutrition. At that age, according to her, I was headed for a stroke or heart attack in the next five years.

I followed her advice and got rid of all the horrible foods that were literally killing me. I lost 135lbs and have kept it off ever since. At 66, I annually get a clean bill of health and feel and move better than I did at 37. Your advice on getting rid of bad foods was exactly what I did. At 37 my carotid arteries were clogging, at 66 they are clear.

Choices always decide your outcomes. I now spend my life teaching people how to do the same and how to stop their chronic aches and pains, though it is difficult to get most to see how they have some control. Thanks for your newsletter.

Finally, Lindsey is choosing herself:

In April I was diagnosed with burnout. And it really made me think where and with whom I spent my energy.

So I stopped. I stopped being everything for everyone. I stopped being the only one who did everything both at home and at work. I stopped reaching out to others first. I will no longer be the person that everyone has to pick up the slack.

A few things have happened. My house is definitely not perfect, in fact I’d say it’s a mess. But until others really see what I put in it can stay that way. I do keep one room spotless so I have a peaceful space when I need it.

I’m no longer only cooking the meals others want. If I want an easy throw-it-in-a-pot meal that is what we are having. Don’t like it, cook for yourself or don’t eat. I’m ok with that. I have changed jobs. Reduced from full-time to part-time.

I was told at my last job when I started to not get everything done and starting early or finishing late that I was no longer being a team player. I said no, I just refuse to work five times harder than the employees who do nothing all day and get paid the same as me and get patted on the back because they managed to do one task well.

So thank you for your emails because honestly I’m feeling amazing in myself. I will no longer allow others to work me to the point of exhaustion, make me feel less than perfectly imperfect or that I am not allowed to rest.

P.S. Today I type from my lounge chair on my day off and I’m going to watch movies and knit myself a Weasley blanket.

Because I can and I choose me.

As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous.

Until next week,

Mark Manson

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author
My Website – My Books – My YouTube Channel – My Podcast – My App