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.
#7 – 10 Jun 2022
Hello friends,
Thanks again for being here!
I hope things are going well for you.
Lately, I’ve really come to see how important sleep is to my creative work output. We have a five-month-old baby at home, which is lovely, but sleep deprivation is a real issue. I found my motivation and energy levels plummeted over recent months. But the skies are clearing, and I’ve had a streak of almost a week of decent sleep. It’s incredible how much more inspired and creative I feel. I am like a new person.
Sometimes we are quick to blame other people or specific problems, but really all we need is a good night’s sleep!
Here’s an insight, a question, and a quote I reflected on over the last week.
💡 It’s your duty to realise your gifts
We all face imposter syndrome. Often, we hide from the work that we know deep down we should be doing. We wonder things like, “am I good enough?”, “do I deserve this?”, “what if I fail?”. We don’t feel qualified.
But we are the most qualified; that is why it is calling us. Certain experiences, habits, strengths, and talents put you in a prime position to serve others distinctively, and no one else has this unique combination of qualities.
You are not an imposter if you do the work only you can do.
You must bring these gifts to the world.
❔ Should we be happier?
During the week, a post from Aubrey Marcus caught my attention. Its message was this:
“Your future self will look back on your life right now, and wish you could live it again.
Aubrey Marcus
Not because you want to DO anything different. But because you will wish you enjoyed it more.
The number one deathbed regret is “I wish I would have let myself be happier.” At the end of our life we realise that happiness is a choice, made in the moment, in spite of whatever is happening.”
Aubrey’s post was a light bulb moment for me, as I know in recent months, I have drifted a little into the negative (see lack of sleep in my intro above). I have felt a cognitive dissonance between two realities in my mind. On the one hand, I have this beautiful newborn baby, which is fantastic. Still then, on the other hand, I am beating myself up for lack of progress on business goals, which ultimately detracts from my happiness in the present moment. I already know I will look back in the future and say why didn’t I enjoy this time more!
Countless times I have heard “successful” people in biographies or podcast interviews mull over this issue. They achieved a lot but wished they had enjoyed the ride more. One thing they would do is go back to their younger self and tell them to be happier, and enjoy the moments with those special people, as it all goes by so fast.
Why is this so difficult to implement in practice?
I question whether happiness is the main goal, as it is fleeting. I feel pursuing meaning and fulfilment is a better, lasting goal. But Aubrey Marcus makes a good point in that we have a CHOICE in the mindset we bring each day to each moment, despite what else is happening.
So, I have been making a conscious choice in trying to relish the time with my son and be a little happier in those precious moments. All I can say is, wow, what a difference it has made.
What is currently slipping by for you that one day, you might wish you enjoyed more?
What action could you take to change this?
💬 A Quote to Ponder
“One of the things you can be sure of in life is that you don’t get something you don’t aim at.”
Jordan B. Peterson
Cheers!
