Mental toughness isn't about forcing a perfect plan. It's about being adaptable. When you're low on time or energy, do a shorter or easier version of your habit. This "bend but don't break" approach prevents you from quitting altogether, making you more resilient and consistent long-term.

Feeling overwhelmed is not a sign you're failing; it's a sign you're being stretched. Like a parent buying a jacket "two sizes too big," life presents challenges you must grow into. This intentional discomfort breaks dependency on self-reliance and fosters deeper capabilities.

The common advice to 'find your purpose' can be counterproductive. It boxes you into a static self-identity, creating friction and existential crises whenever you grow or your interests change. A more flexible approach is to focus on a set of core values that guide you, rather than a single, reductive 'purpose'.

Habits must evolve with life's seasons (e.g., career changes, having children). A habit that served you well in one phase may hold you back in the next. Be willing to give up old, successful routines that no longer align with your current priorities and identity.

To avoid mistaking motion for progress, conduct a personal quarterly off-site. This strategic pause helps correct your life's trajectory before you drift too far. Ask: What essentials am I under-investing in? What non-essentials am I over-investing in? How can I make the necessary shift effortless?

Frame daily activities as either contributing to 'aliveness' (connection, movement, focus) or 'numbness' (doomscrolling, binge-watching). This simple heuristic helps you consciously choose actions that energize you and build a more fulfilling life, rather than those that numb and distract you.

Careers have two distinct stages. The 'Yes Phase' is for expansion, where you have more time than resources and should seek opportunities. The 'No Phase' is for focus, where time is the constraint, and success depends on strategically saying 'no' to preserve energy for high-impact work.

When feeling stuck, start with your desired outcome and work backward. Ask: What action is needed? What feeling enables that action? What thought or belief creates that feeling? This process quickly reveals if your current beliefs are misaligned with your goals, pinpointing where to reframe.

Ambitious people default to adding new routines to improve. However, the fastest way to accelerate progress is subtraction: identifying and eliminating the mindsets, behaviors, or people ("boat anchors") that are creating drag and holding you back from operating at full power.