Warren Buffet once said “Let's say a genie appears. And that genie said, 'Warren, I'm going to give you the car of your choice. It'll be here tomorrow morning with a big bow tied on it. Brand-new. And it's all yours. There's only one catch. This is the last car you're ever going to get in your life.' "
If the genie came to you with this car, what would you do? Read the manual? Leave it in the garage? Tend to any scratches straight away? Imagine the car symbolises your mind and body. You only get one and it lasts a lifetime. If you don't care for either, they'll be a wreck forty years later, just like the car would be. In other words, it's about the journey, not the destination.
Jimmy Carr is an unlikely philosopher yet from time to time, I find myself going back to his book Before and Laughter for useful nuggets of wisdom - like what you just read.
Jimmy offers simple life lessons that can inspire us to do better.
the one Car for Life metaphor
Imagine taking care of your body and mind like you would a car. Just like Warren's car, fill it with the right fuel and keep it moving. Even if you take the wrong exit or go off-road, you can always get back on track. Some may keep their car in the garage, but that doesn't lead to an exciting journey. Some choose the safe well-used route, while others go off-road to explore. You'll pick up passengers along the way, and maybe enjoy the scenic route. While others might choose to be driven and sit in the passenger seat.
Remember, you only get one body and mind, so treat it with care and make the journey worth it.
you're not a noun, you're a verb
Remember, you're not a stagnant noun, but a dynamic verb. Embrace the changes that come with experience, for they signify growth and learning.
Though the word 'crisis' may have a negative connotation, it's actually an opportunity for transformation and growth - a chance to move forward and leave behind what no longer serves you. Change is inevitable, but with preparation and perseverance, we can navigate it and emerge stronger on the other side. So hold on, for any discomfort you may face during a crisis will eventually pass, paving the way for a brighter and better future.
If you’re not a liberal when you’re 25, you have no heart. If you’re not a conservative by the time you’re 35, you have no brain - Francois Guizot
If you don’t make it happen, life will happen to you
Are you living out your own hero's journey, or are you just an incidental character in someone else's story? Take control of your life and make sure that you're living every day to the fullest.
Practical application of knowledge = living
Instead of focusing solely on what you do, ask yourself why you do it. When your ultimate goal is happiness, make sure that everything you do is moving you closer to that goal. You might smoke because you want to relax, but there are better ways that don’t have deadly side effects. Find your purpose and take meaningful steps to pursue it.
No one wants you to follow your dream
It's a harsh way of saying most of us put ourselves first. You might have loyalty to your employer and if you like what you do, great. Otherwise, why are you doing it? They (your employer) are likely in the business of making money. That's their dream. That's their focus. They want you to follow their dream. Nobody cares about your dreams, because they’re busy focussing on theirs.
Remember that your dreams and aspirations are just as important as anyone else's. While it's natural to feel loyalty to your employer, it's important to know if your goals are aligned. If your current situation isn't helping you move closer to your dreams, take the necessary steps to make a change. Only you have the power to shape your future and follow your path to success.
Be honest with yourself when trying to find your purpose
If you're lactose intolerant, you're probably not going to pursue a career as a cheese judge.
Believe in yourself and find your purpose by being honest about who you are. Accept your limitations and circumstances, but know that they don't define you or your future. You possess everything you need to succeed, so embrace the journey and discover the incredible possibilities that await you.
Choose clarity over temporary pleasures and be honest with yourself about your dreams. With honesty, you can assess your current situation and determine the path to a fulfilling and meaningful life.
You playing small does not serve you. Play the narrator of your story. You can choose to be the lead or hero. Victim of fate or master of destiny.
The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety, but purpose
Having a purpose in life is key. Rather than simply addressing the symptoms, understand the root cause of the issue. Remember, it's not about the amount of drinking or eating, but rather the reason behind it. By finding your purpose, you can diminish the need for distractions and truly overcome bad habits.
How many people do you know whose weight yo-yos They've focussed on losing weight without understanding why they over-eat, or what they're avoiding. Find your purpose and go for it.
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is now
I love this proverb. Do the work now for a reward down the track. How many times have you heard people in their 50s or 60s say "I wish I'd started saving for retirement in my 30s"?
If you had to relive your life for all eternity, would it be a blessing or a curse? - Neitche
You’ve got to know what you want to wish for from a magic lamp – otherwise, all you’ve got is a lamp
You only have 6 months to live – what do you want to do? You can't do everything, so prioritise. You don’t have to be dying to start thinking about living. Know what you want and do the steps to realise your goals.
Somewhere along the line, you have to take responsibility for the way your life turned out
It’s not always your past’s fault. Accept the apology you’re never going to get and let go.
It’s all your fault (even when it’s not). AKA you’re in control. The locus of control is you. If you take control of your life, you get to be the author and hero of your story. You’re the one holding the baton. You get to decide. If you can take the blame, you can take the win. If you've ever watched a sports match. Look at the distance between the coach and their assistants. This is a great symbol of when people are not willing to take ownership of the losses. When they win, the assistants are by their side. When they lose, there's a wide berth. Teachers don’t make you smart. Accountants don’t make you rich. Personal Trainers won’t make you fit. Hypnotherapists don't stop you smoking. It all boils down to you. If you do anything (positive or negative) it’s all you.
Practice being brave
Take chances, make mistakes, that’s how you grow - Mary Tyler Moore
Pressure is a privilege. Getting it wrong is stressful, but if you get to take a chance, you’ll grow. If you put off doing anything risky for long enough, fear will attach itself. Fear and imagination will become so big it cloaks the thing you want to do. Feel the fear and do it anyway (unless it means walking down a dark alley at midnight)
Bravery is living the life you want.
You don’t need to feel brave to act brave. Bravery is an act/action. Bravery is an illusion. Pretend to be brave until the mask becomes the face.
Listen for signs
A town was about to flood. There was a warning on the radio, but a local decided that God would save him and send a signal. Then, his neighbour came past and said, "We’re leaving town. We have a spare seat. Are you coming?" and he said to his neighbour “God will save me”, He got on his roof. A helicopter spots him, throws a line down and the pilot says, "Climb the ladder" and he repeats “God will save me”. Finally, the floodwaters rise and he’s washed away. When he gets to heaven he asks God, “Where were you?” God says "I sent a radio message, your neighbour and a pilot. What more signs did you need?"
Recalibration is important.
Remember, nothing is ever perfect, but defining your goals, and then taking steps towards them is important. So keep pushing forward and never lose sight of what you truly want to achieve.
Your disposition and how you react to life are more important than your position
Remember, 95% of life is how you react to things that happen to you. Your perception of the world is a reality, so choose to view it positively. While you can't change your nature, you can always work on improving your nurture. Life is like a game of poker, you're dealt the cards you're dealt, but it's up to you how you play them. You can't change the cards others hold, but you can always choose your poker face, regardless of your hand.
The last of the human freedoms: to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. - Viktor Frankl
Nurture is a lifelong pursuit, and you can always improve yourself. Every day, every hour, you have the opportunity to make decisions that determine whether you submit to the powers that threaten to rob you of your inner freedom. Choose happiness and don't let your past define you. Use your past as a lesson to learn from rather than an anchor or dead weight. Happiness or sadness isn’t predetermined. Choose to be happy and don't wait for something to happen in order to feel happy. You can just be happy. Remember, you have the power to control what thoughts and emotions you listen to, and which ones to let go.
Unlock your creative potential and ease your anxiety
Your mind craves stimulation and purpose. Don't let it go to waste. Give your creativity a chance to shine and watch your anxiety melt away.
To succeed, you need to assess your strengths and limitations and be true to yourself. Know what you do well, what others value, and what you're passionate about. Dream big and never give up until you have a plan.
When the going seems tough, remember to stay focused and determined. Make a list of what you can realistically do and take action. Embrace the process, even if it's challenging. Remember that hard work and dedication are the keys to success. Dream big and act bigger.
You have the power to determine your own destiny. Luck may play a role, but success is ultimately in your hands. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and keep pushing forward. With grit, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. The harder you work the luckier you get. Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. The brave are not afraid of failure, they’re afraid of not taking chances. Lucky people put themselves out there. If you think someone doesn’t deserve their luck, it’s likely they have a skill you don’t value and if they do, ask them how they got where they are. It’s likely they put themselves out there.
Talent + Hard Work = Your Luck.
Failure is not falling down. Failure is not getting up and trying again - Jimmy Carr
As Jimmy says: "a personal trainer won't make you fit", but they can help point you in the right direction. The same can be said about investing in your mental wellbeing. To find out how I can help, hit the button below to book a free consultation
Comments