PN | Weekly #24: July 19, 2026
“If you deliberately plan to be less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you’ll be deeply unhappy for the rest of your life. You will be evading your own capacities, your own possibilities.”ABRAHAM MASLOW |
Happy Sunday, Heroic!
Michael here. ๐
Michael here. ๐
Hope you had a great week!
โ
One of the hallmarks of actualizing, fully expressed humans is the ability to integrate apparent dichotomies.
Being fully self-reliant and continuously seeking support.
Being simultaneously ALL IN and unattached.
It’s a valuable skill, and one this week’s new Philosopher's Note can help us cultivate:
Extreme Balance by Joe De Sena, Ben Askren, David Sacks.
“When faced with a choice of one approach, mindset, or attitude vs. another, frequently the best option is not to choose sides. The best answer is to find a balance between these two opposite ways of thinking... the first thing you need to do is eliminate the word 'or' from your mindset and substitute 'and.'”
The book walks through eight of these false dichotomies, and the ways we get them wrong.
For example; think of a spotter in the weight room. Nobody thinks less of the lifter who calls for a spot on a heavy set. The spot doesn't do the lifting for you. It just lets you push further than you could alone.
As the authors say:
“Asking for a 'spot' in the gym of life is NOT a sign of weakness. It's a sign that you want to ENHANCE YOUR STRENGTH.”
Somewhere this week, you're probably carrying something solo that you don't have to.
Your health. A hard decision at work. A conversation you've been avoiding.
Where are you white-knuckling it alone (or watching your team, your kids, your spouse do the same) when what you actually need is a spot?
Ask for one. Today.
Wishing you and yours a great week!
Day 1. All in. Let's go.
-Michael
How do you stay calm, resilient, and at your best when life doesn't go according to plan? In this episode, Brian explores how Stoicism offers a practical framework for turning challenges into opportunities for growth. You'll discover timeless principles for building resilience, responding wisely instead of reacting emotionally, and closing the gap between who you're capable of being and who you're actually being.
Enjoy this past week's featured Notes!
“It turns out that the process of working toward a goal, participating in a valued and challenging activity, is as important to well-being as its attainment.”SONJA LYUBOMIRSKY |
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