It Takes What It Takes
Issue # 209
A few days ago, I was thinking about how so much of life comes down to simple cause and effect.
If you want to lose weight, you have to be in a calorie deficit.
If you want to feel energetic, you have to sleep well.
If you don’t want to be fragile in the second half of life, you have to lift weights.
If you want peace, you have to limit noise.
If you want clarity, you have to spend time alone.
If you want success, you have to stay consistent.
If you want to be wealthy, you have to invest.
If you want anything, you really don’t have too many choices.
Life’s formula is simple.
Doing it isn’t.
The Mindset Behind It
So much of what we do is dictated by our state of mind - the way we feel.
Much of the world seems out of our control. But the truth is, we have more control than we admit.
We decide what influences enter our homes and minds.
The news thrives on our negativity bias. Reality TV profits by turning people against each other. Even music can lift us up or pull us down.
We already know this.
Where we mess up is not acting on what we know.
The remote is in your hand.
You decide what to watch, what to read, and who gets your attention.
You choose which voices to allow into your head — through your phone, your TV, your dinner table conversations.
Stop Giving Away Control
We say,
‘My boss is impossible.’
‘My coworkers pull me down.’
‘My family doesn’t support me.’
And maybe that’s true.
But think about our Indian women’s cricket team during the recent World Cup.
They didn’t have perfect conditions, full stadiums, or everyone believing in them at the start.
What they did have was belief in themselves and control over their preparation, fitness, and mindset.
They showed up, stayed disciplined, and focused on what was in their hands.
That attitude turned into victory.
What’s In Your Control
You can’t control your boss, the economy, or the algorithm.
But you can control:
How you start your mornings.
Whether you move your body or scroll.
What time you sleep.
The kind of content you consume.
How you speak to people.
The effort you bring to each day.
That’s the secret. Just the discipline to do what it takes, even when you don’t feel like it.
As Trevor Moawad wrote in It Takes What It Takes:
‘If you want to be good, you don’t have many choices. It takes what it takes.’
This Week’s Reflection
Take a moment to notice one area where you’ve been giving away control. Maybe it’s your phone. Maybe it’s your diet. Maybe it’s your thoughts.
Start with one small change.A screen turned off. A workout done. A calm response instead of a reactive one.
Because in the end, you don’t get what you want. You get what you consistently do.
⏮ Missed Last Week? Here’s What Hit Home
Who You Are Now versus Who You Will Become
A few days ago, I posted two photos on Instagram — me wearing the same suit, nine years apart.
Coming Soon
My New Book - REARVIEW.
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Meet you on the Forty Sixth Sunday (46/52) of 2025. Take care