2022 Reflections
Something I describe simply as the human condition will never change, unless we individually think for ourselves or have experiences that help us do things differently to the status quo. Modern society in the western world tends to guide people towards certain behaviours and beliefs akin to a dog guiding sheep around a paddock.
It’s difficult, actually it’s near impossible to know what we don’t know or haven’t experienced.
As an example, one of my best mates told me he’s bringing up a new surfboard for me (he works in the surfboard industry). I got it at an incredible price but didn’t feel I needed a new board. My current board is great.
He, my brother and other friends told me I didn’t understand, wait till I ride it. I’ve been surfing for over 30 years and know the ocean well. Internally I was a little resistant to their views but trusting enough given our 30+ years of friendship.
I literally just surfed the new board a couple of hours ago for the first time and here’s the message I sent him.
Without having that experience, I wouldn’t have gained new knowledge. Goju Karate Sensei Mike Clarke says it this way: ‘A paragraph of experience tells you more about yourself than a book of opinion’.
This article is easy to read, accept or reject. Which is a liability in my view, because there is no requirement to practically test or trial any of it. That said, it’s going out into the ether anyway…
Firstly a note on ‘lifespan vs healthspan’.
Lifespan is the number of years we live. Healthspan is the years of one’s life that are healthy. Here’s why this is an important distinction. I know two brothers. One is 76 years old while his younger brother passed at 73yo earlier this year. You now know their lifespan.
Their healthspan’s paint a different picture.
The living 76 yo brother had a healthspan of 40-45years tops. He’s spent decades of his life in poor health and more recently specialists appointments and hospitals.
His brother who passed at 73yo earlier this year had a healthspan of 72.5 years. Surfed his whole life, raced cars and lived fully in wonderful health excluding his final 3-6 months earth side.
Unfortunately we all have different standards and definitions of health. The one example I’m going to share in this article is your ability to sit on the floor comfortably. If you’re compromised by getting down to the floor, sitting on the floor comfortably or getting up from the floor, your health is compromised.
After about 70yo I relax on the difficulty of getting up and down from the floor but not the ability to sit comfortably on the floor.
Prioritising Possessions Over Physical Discipline Is Shortening People’s Healthspan
The number of people I knew who died in 2022 with significant wealth and a poor healthspan is shocking. As were the years leading up to their passing. Maybe it’s my biases coming through or perhaps 2022 was an anomaly, I don’t know.
What I do know is that all possessions can be bought. They only require money. Ironically the most valuable things in life can not be bought. They must be earned – daily.
‘A calm mind, a fit body and a house full of love’ is my favourite Naval Ravikant quote. They cannot be bought, they can only be earned.
No one can do your push ups for you. The food you eat doesn’t jump into your mouth. It’s a choice.
Also in case it’s not clear, I’m not against possessions or generating the wealth to own them. Far from it. It’s not a matter of one or the other. We can do both. The message is to get our priorities in order.
Having the discipline to look after what matters most pays the greatest dividends.
Comfort Over Discipline Is Shortening Peoples Healthspan
Doing difficult things daily, that in many cases we don’t want to do nor feel like doing but serve and challenge us, is ridiculously underrated in my experience.
What you do is less important than choosing something and sticking to it. And here’s the real kicker. Don’t feel the need to tell anyone you’re doing it. Just do it.
Beach/ocean exposure
Exercise
Fasting
Hiking in nature
Ice bath
Learning/studying new areas
Martial Arts
Meditation
Pool
Sauna
Stretching
Supplementing
Wim Hof type breathing and breath holds
Writing
This list is not exhaustive. Doing at least one, a bunch or all of these things daily will have an impact. The key is to give it at least 6-12 months of exposure before drawing any conclusions.
This video of Joe Rogan explaining his thought process on daily ice baths is excellent. Excuse the language.
People Are Trusting. Have Honour. Don’t Take Advantage of Them.
Where to start with this… The government, the FBI, censorship, the mainstream media (read the ‘Twitter Flies’ if you don’t know what I’m talking about), The Liver King, the FTX crypto brokerage debacle, the Optus and Medibank hacks, most things on social media, people I know who got scammed and the list goes on.
Falling on our sword is an old world concept, unfortunately absent in today’s culture.
A friend told me about a cohort of online business coaches selling the dream of becoming an online business coach to others. They neglect to mention they’re inability to build a profitable business nor do they coach any business owners. He knows because he was business partners with them before moving them on.
Great marketing is incredibly powerful as is the ability to create a narrative or persona online. It’s everywhere. This will never change as incentives drive all behaviour. As long as people are incentivised by money and status it’s a case of buyer beware because the game is rigged towards instant gratification in most cases.
Instead, play a different game.
View work as a privilege. Ensure the work we do provides incredible value to our clients, partners and customers. And do it with honour. Go the extra mile. Don’t cut corners. Add additional value where possible. These simple philosophies are great guidelines.
Finally, understand people who are easily influenced are easily controlled. People who are easily angered are easily controlled.
Don’t be easy.
Sadhguru said it best: ‘If somebody else can decide what can happen within you right now, isn’t this the ultimate slavery?’
All the best in 2023!
