I hope all is well at your end, and you are chipping away at the things you value most in life – on and off the kit. This is more important than ever!
It’s a journey, right!
I’m writing this because, as it stands, I see a LOT of panic out there. Panic that is definitely getting in the way of just living and enjoying life on your terms.
Politics, wars, cost of living, AI slop, social-media noise, news news and more news… and ultimately, it seems like everyone is just fighting for your attention, and to be heard.
Callout culture is bigger than ever, and in all industries too, and everyone is just arguing about everything they see, and all to just make a point about what side of the fence they stand on. *sigh
Now look, I get it, you can’t go through life completely ignorant to what is going on out there. I 100% agree. Also, I wouldn’t want you to be that way. Awareness and knowledge of the world, its history, and its potential future, equals intelligence. Let’s just make that clear… But I would definitely be cautious of how much time you are giving all these talking points, especially if it is preventing you from showing up for what really matters… which is you!
You are the foundation of the life you live. You.
Everything from your past, your present, and your future, is built on (and is dependent on) how you choose to show up in your life. Thats it.
There is a great saying –
“Show me your daily habits, and I’ll show you your future.”
I love this saying. It’s such a simple and elegant way to put all responsibility for our own lives, back on ourselves. No blame here.
Now, you don’t need to be a recluse saint, nor am I saying you need to become a David Goggins-type. I am not talking about that. I’m just talking about a simple concept that the Stoic philosophers lived by –
Control what you can, and do not fret about what you can’t.
That’s it in a nutshell.
There are only two things happening at any given time –
- things you can control
- things you can not control
The stoics understood this clearly. In fact, their whole philosophy was built around this idea.
Yet, in 2026, we seem to be spending more time than ever worrying about and investing time into the things that we can’t control, and next to no time focussing on the things we can control.
So what do we do about this? How do we take a step in the right direction? Well, it generally starts with an attitude adjustment, as your attitude towards life bleeds over to everything. Your physical and mental health, your relationships, your opportunities, your progress on your instrument… Everything.
And the way in which we do this is by setting up our own personal philosophy to live by, and with that, beginning to show up for daily micro habits. Habits that will positively impact every aspect of your life.
So for me, that’s –
- getting up a little earlier than most
- reading something informative, powerful and inspirational to get my mind right
- getting some exercise in – both cardio and anaerobic
- eating quality and nutritious food to fuel my body and mind
- getting a minimum amount of practice time on my instrument
- investing in all the quality relationships – family and friends – that I am fortunate enough to have in my life
These are just some of the many things I do daily, to control what I can, and in turn, not fret about what I can’t.
How you show up and react to the world is often dictated by the choices you make for yourself, daily.
It’s the combination of compounded daily habits, whether good or bad. The difference is, you’re making the choice whether they are good or bad. Not anyone else.
You have much more control over your circumstances than what you realise.
Look, there is a lot going on in the world right now, and honestly, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to ease off any time soon. So, rather than getting pulled down by it all, instead, take a moment, reflect, understand that you are actually in control here, and start showing up for what truly matters… You!
Dial in some basics, do them daily, and you’ll be surprised at how not only does everything start to feel a little better, but the future starts looking a little brighter too.
Remember, this journey you are on is yours, and yours alone. Don’t get pulled into the vortex. Do whatever you have to do in order to make sure you’re moving forward in the areas you want to move forward in.
Do future-you a favour – put the blinders up, get organised, focus, lock in, and most importantly, don’t worry about anyone else is doing or saying. There is defintely a lot of self-awareness in this, but ultimately, it’s about knowing and following your North Star.
So, remember, the Stoics had it right…
All you can do is control what you can, and not fret about what you can’t…
Let’s leave it there as I am about to head into the studio to get my practice in. It’s officially ‘Double-Pedal-O-Clock!’
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and if you have any thoughts, please hit reply and share them with me. I’d love to hear them.
Stay hungry, and healthy,
Stan
ps. I have reopened the 5-lesson bundle offer – saving you $200!
I will be closing this again soon, so if you’re keen, sign up HERE
pps. If you are interested in learning more about Stoicism, look about the author and public speaker, Ryan Holiday.