Brian JohnsonChairman & Philosopher in Residence at Heroic

Direct your energy on the right things.

1 Jun 2023 · 1 min

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Brian Johnson delivers a short motivational talk about handling stress by channeling energy into productive action. He describes a personal protocol—intensifying physical exercise (burpees, pull-ups) and choosing committed action—contrasting it with previous numbing behaviors. He advises focusing on the single most important thing to do today and cites Winston Churchill to underline persistence and engagement as the way to solve difficulties.

Chapters

The more stressed I am, the more committed I am. My protocol, I bang out my burpees with a little bit more intensity, I bang out my pull ups with a little more intensity, and I celebrate the fact that that's like me to show up and do the things that I know keep me plugged in right when I need it. Whereas the old version of me would spin out and I'd engage in numbing, vicious behaviors, which would then make it less likely I'd succeed. You need to get your energy focused on what's important now. Most people, when they get stressed, think about their stress and they think about choking and they think about losing the game. That's a good way to make sure you lose the game or lose the business or lo lose the relationship or whatever. In those moments is when you need to focus on being your best. If you're going through hell, keep on going. Winston Churchill says, the more you're complaining about it and worrying about it, the less you're engaged in doing your best, which is the only way to solve it. So decide what the most important thing is you can do today and then go do that.