What is this trying to show me?

I’ve been hit by a few trucks over the last several years.

Every single time, I look back and think “how did I not see that damn thing coming?”

It’s a freaking truck. It’s huge. It’s loud. It doesn’t come out of nowhere. And I’m way more nimble than a truck. In theory.

And yet, I’ve gotten run over. Multiple times.

Not by an actual truck. Although once it did feel like that. I’m talking about a truck in the sense of the feather, brick and truck metaphor. A feather being a gentle nudge from the universe, a brick being something quite painful and a truck being a life altering, stop everything in its tracks type of event.

In an attempt to avoid any future truck smashings, I’m really trying to take notice of the feathers. It requires slowing down, a self-reflection practice, deep self-connection and self-awareness.

My favorite truck-avoidance question is to ask “what is this trying to show me?” When something feels off. When I notice something unusual. When I don’t like a particular outcome. When I’m feeling exhausted. When I make a sloppy mistake. Hmmmm… What is behind this? How did we get here? What am I not seeing?

With enough practice, I believe my new advanced feather detection capabilities can be powered up to create a full operational anti-brick defense system.

Where do I even begin?

When there’s a giant backlog of things grabbing for attention, it can be easy to get swept up in it. Overwhelm, distraction, procrastination, frustration all might creep in.

It’s important to figure out how you are best equipped to get into action. The answer is not the same for everyone, and it took me a while to realize that.

For some people, like myself, it’s best to spend some effort bringing structure. Put a plan in place. Prioritize. Organize. And then it becomes so much easier to execute.

Other people do best when they just jump right in. Action first. And when they get moving, it all falls into place for them.

And still other people, completely insane folks, they have to feel into it. They rely on their perception to guide the way. I joke about the craziness to this approach because it is so foreign to me, but I know some incredibly successful people who navigate the world this way.

As with almost all things, there’s nuance to it. There are different ways operate, and the key is to know what best serves you in these situations.

Why is everything a paradox these days?

So much chaos amidst so much stillness.

So much is ending just as so much new is beginning.

So much has changed and yet so much remains the same.

So much suffering and also so many beautiful gifts and opportunities.

So much death completing the natural cycle to allow for a more fertile rebirth.

These seemingly paradoxical situations surround us every day. They feel even more pronounced these days, but they are nothing new.

Whether we choose to look at the positive side or the negative side, we are still missing half of the equation. Can we hold both sides in equanimity, balancing both the certain and the uncertain, as we begin to take steps forward?

Which version am I?

Two businesses running in-person events in NYC. One is shut down and sitting on the sidelines. The other moved to online events and is busier than ever.

Two versions of John. One shuts down and sits on the couch waiting for sunny skies. The other knows that there's never been a better time to be an entrepreneur, puts on his old shoes and goes to play in the mud puddles.

Neither is right or wrong. One is not better than the other. And sometimes we are both.

Couch creature. Builder.

This is not a one time choice. It's a moment by moment decision.

It's never about perfection, especially these days. It's about doing the best we can with what we got and where we're at. If 80% of the time I'm building, that feels good. 90% feels better. 95%, yes please.

Don't be too hard on yourself, John. When you get pulled into the couch, know that it's part of the process. And when you get up, know that there are plenty of beautiful, undisturbed puddles just waiting to be stomped.

Why is wearing shoes the best starting point?

I have a bad habit that I'm ready to admit. I buy more books than I have been able to read. My book buying eyes are bigger than my book consuming stomach.

I've got some amazing books sitting on my bookshelf collecting dust. One way I have compensated for this in the past is by selecting the smaller, quick reads over the meaty, dense books. That didn't feel good and once I became aware of this, I started picking monsters. The 512 page, uber dense "Ascent of Humanity" by Charles Eisenstein is the current beast.

I'm only 32 pages into this slow-going journey, and I've already found some powerful nuggets, and the groundwork is being laid out for a fundamental paradigm shift.

A beautiful quote from the book: "Seek not to cover the world in leather — just wear shoes." That of course is not the actual quote. I had to dig deeper which of course slows down the reading even further, but I'm glad I did to find the source.

"Where would there be leather enough to cover the entire world? With just the leather of my sandals, it is as if the whole world were covered. Likewise, I am unable to restrain external phenomena, but I shall restrain my own mind. What need is there to restrain anything else?" — an 8th-century Indian Buddhist scholar Shantideva

Entrepreneurs see the world and the future through a different lens. They have a vision for what is possible and are able to see situations and people better and greater than they currently are. While I believe being an optimist is a competitive advantage for entrepreneurs, this quote feels like a nice counter-balance.

Start within first. If you want to change the world, change yourself first. Start with the man in the mirror.

Even if I don't ever get past page 32, I'm jazzed about this quote. In order to have the massive impact in the world that I believe is possible, I'll start by putting on my own shoes first.