I've talked before about "Tee Shirt philosophy".
It's the kind of simple, punchy wisdom you can fit on the front of a shirt to help get you through the day.
Sometimes we just need a quick reminder when our perfect plans inevitably get punched in the face.
When the chaos swirls and the inner critic starts talking,
you need a mental shortcut to reset your attitude and focus.
So today, I compiled a list.
Not a to-do list, though I am a master of making those.
This is a list of when I need to find my focus and get back to work:
"A goal unwritten and unplanned is a dream.
A dream is not real. A goal that is written is a plan. A plan is real." Stop wishing and start mapping out your destination.
"Being busy is not the same as being productive. Busy is the enemy." It is incredibly easy to mistake the planning for the doing, but taking a start that equals a draw is just a loss.
"The problem isn’t the problem. Our attitude about the problem is the problem." I borrowed this from a pirate, but it is the absolute truth. We can't control the world around us, but we can completely control our own reactions to it.
"If the wind isn’t blowing, take to the oars." Luck and the tides are fickle mistresses; don't blame the sea or wait for luck to magically push you forward.
"If the door of opportunity won’t open, make a breach." When the gatekeepers tell you no, find a way to blow a hole in the wall and walk through anyway to put your plans in motion.
"In the absence of leadership, I will assume command until I am relieved of duty." Look around—we are in an absence of leadership at almost every level. Stop waiting for politicians or bosses to fix the mess and take charge yourself.
"You can’t be mad at a scorpion for it’s stinger." Whether it's corrupt politicians or internet trolls, some people just act out their nature. Accept it, ignore the noise, and focus on what you can actually control.
"Slow is smooth and smooth is fast." This is how you build muscle memory. Stop demanding overnight success and focus on getting 1% better every day.
"Two is one, one is none." This is a basic rule of preparation. The world is unpredictable, so always have a backup plan ready to go when things go off the rails.
"Pain is temporary. Suffering is optional." The physical grind of an ultramarathon or the mental strain of a failing business might hurt, but how you endure it is entirely up to your attitude.
These little phrases are mental shortcuts.
They remind us to put our "ass in seat," tune out the distractions, and do the work required to level up.
Find the quote that sparks a fire in you today.
Write it on a sticky note, print it on a tee shirt,
or just say it in the mirror.
Then
GET AFTER IT.
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