#249 You already know what I’m going to say

Nobody chooses to get addicted to social media.

We chose to get something of value: stay connected with friends. Stay up-to-date. Discover interesting voices.

Then we get addicted through features that bring little value: likes, notification signs, flashy videos hijacking our brains. That’s where the addiction creeps up to you.

If the interests of social media apps (make you spend as much time as possible on the platform) start deviating so much from the original reason we started using them…

Is massive addiction worth the minimal value?

Now is the time to put my heart on the line.

Because whatever I do at this very moment is a direct vote for who I want to be.

But before I let the gravity of the moment paralyze me, I realize – this is not my first vote, and it won’t be my last.

Another present moment will soon arrive, and with the passing of time, another opportunity to put my heart on the line.

Too much pressure on one moment leads to perfectionism and paralysis.

Too much focus on “this one moment doesn’t matter” leads to defeatism and lethargy.

Be intentional about the present moment because it’s the only vote you can directly influence.

Then be aware of the aggregate of your actions because your identity emerges from the majority of your votes.

Who do you choose to be?

All in on getting fluent in a foreign language?
That’s a 6-12 month game, at the minimum.

All in on learning an instrument?
Count on a multi-year (or multi-decade) game.

All-in on getting in shape?
That’s a life-long game.

This is not a poker game. You’re not trying to impress anyone. There are no opponents to deter. Not everything hinges on one big moment where you can win or lose it all.

You’re not only all in the moment you decide you’re all-in. You’re all in for the entire journey. That means: making your efforts, resources, and motivation last.

All in means preparing for the long game.

Choosing small daily habits over grand gestures.

Choosing consistency over completion.

Accepting that whatever you go all in on will inevitably change your identity.

Now you’re all in on life, and who you aspire to be.

What do you see that others don’t even notice?

What do you feel that others don’t even seem to care about?

What do you like to do that most others never even entertain?

What do you write about that most others haven’t even considered?

And instead of seeing such differences as a societal warning sign, discouraging you from pursuing it…

Can you see them as an encouraging sign of unique contributions you’re about to make?

Embrace your individuality.