Sunday Thinking

"One day, you will look back on this day, and all you will see is magic."

Together with

The weekly Sunday Thinking newsletter is quick-hit content that aims to provide a booster shot to your thought process as you end and start your week.

“The daily routine of most adults is so heavy and artificial that we are closed off to much of the world. We have to do this in order to get our work done. I think one purpose of art is to get us out of those routines. When we hear music or poetry or stories, the world opens up again. We’re drawn in — or out — and the windows of our perception are cleansed, as William Blake said. The same thing can happen when we’re around young children or adults who have unlearned those habits of shutting the world out.”

― Ursula K. Le Guin, Talking on the Water

I. How to Make a Habit Stick

On any given day as leaders, we may struggle with our habits because we're too busy or too tired or too overwhelmed or hundreds of other reasons.

Over the long run, the real reason you fail to stick with habits is that your self-image gets in the way.
This is why you can't get too attached to one version of your identity.

Progress requires unlearning. Becoming the best version of yourself requires you to continuously edit your beliefs, and to upgrade and expand your identity.

Source: James Clear, Atomic Habits

II. The Perfect Day

Breathe and Meditate
Dream and Visualize
Believe and Create
Smile and Laugh
Love and Be kind
Give thanks
Wake up tomorrow and repeat

“Beware of looking for goals: look for a way of life. Decide how you want to live and then see what you can do to make a living within that way of life.”

Source: Khalil Rafati, Remembering to Live

III. This Was Meant To Find You

Just in case no one has told you this today, I'm so proud of you and everything you have endured and achieved.

I hope you know how worthy you are and how much you bring to the world.
I'm proud of you for not giving up, no matter how many times you've wanted to.
I'm proud of you for choosing to keep going.
I'm proud of you for continuing to show up each day despite what you have been through.
I'm proud of you for taking steps to better yourself and your life lately and for finally showing yourself just how much you are capable of.

Your strength and courage is inspiring, and you should be so proud of yourself, too.

Source: Charlotte Freeman, This Was Meant To Find You

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V. Question

Imagine your life as a book. What title would you give to the current chapter, and what is going to be the next?

VI. This Week, I Will

Be intentional with my energy.
Be intentional with my heart.
Be intentional with my words.
Be intentional with my thoughts.
Be intentional with my life.

The Last Words…

"If you’re in doubt about something that’s not in your life, try it. Things are so different in practice versus in theory. The only way to know is to experience it yourself. … Err on the side of yes. Try it. If it was a mistake, at least you’ll know first-hand, instead of always wondering. If you’re in doubt about something that’s in your life already, get rid of it. Not just things, this goes for identities, habits, goals, relationships, technology, and anything else. Default to not having it, then see how you do without. … Err on the side of no. Get rid of it. Start with a clean slate. If it was a mistake, you’ll get it back with a renewed enthusiasm."

― Derek Sivers, When in Doubt, Try the Difference