The Looking Glass is a weekly newsletter of timeless wisdom for you to ponder on your journey of growth. I hope you find great value here.
#5 – 29 Apr 2022
Hello friends,
Thanks again for being here!
This week I have been reflecting on the importance of making space for our “muse”.
I hear that word now and then, and I feel what it means, but I never really stopped to unpack what it is.
I think I first heard of the word in Tim Ferriss’ The Four Hour Workweek, where he applies it to his model of building a new way of life.
Here’s what the Cambridge Dictionary came up with for “muse”:
1. To think about something carefully and for a long time:
2. A person, or an imaginary being or force that gives someone ideas and helps them to write, paint, or make music:
3. In ancient Greek and Roman stories, one of the nine goddesses who were believed to give encouragement in different areas of literature, art, and music
It seems there is almost a mystical or otherworldly nature to this creative power inside of us. We have all felt it, those magical moments where great work appears to pour out of us in a flowing state. Where does it come from, and how do we cultivate it more often?
We can start by creating space to contemplate, ponder and meditate on our big ideas and the path forward. But ultimately, we are all different in that what inspires me may not be what lights you up, and vice versa.
What fills your (creative) cup?
Here’s an insight, a question, and a quote I reflected on over the last week.
💡 Pay attention to opportunities
We get so bogged down in problem-solving mode that we close ourselves off to what is around us. Our best opportunities often hide in plain sight, and we just have to notice them.
❔ The discomfort of growth
It’s easy to hide behind the illusion of safety. Often our peers say “keep under the radar” or “don’t rock the boat”. This advice has its time and place, but it will not serve us well in the long run by living a life below our potential. Growth can be painful, but it is also the juice of life.
What personal growth opportunities are you hiding from?
💬 A Quote to Ponder
“Sometimes the most important decision in your life is deciding what you’re not going to do.”
Douglas Murray
Pair with Strategy, what not to do.
Cheers!