Ben's Blog

Category: Life

  • We are not our ideas

    For better or worse, we are not our ideas. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking we are either the world’s biggest idiot (when something fails) or too brilliant for our own good (when we succeed).

    The truth is, our ideas don’t belong to us. They are simply out there in the world, floating around waiting for someone to stumble upon them.

    The goal is to bring these ideas into our world and kick them around until they are solidified.

    If someone comes along and makes the idea better, bringing it one step closer to its final form, it’s not uncommon to get upset.

    More often than not, we either feel personally attacked because we identify too closely with the idea, or we wish we had been the one that thought of how to improve it.

    In reality, you didn’t think of the first idea either. No matter how brilliant or dumb it may be, it was never yours.

  • I was going to start 75 hard today, here’s why I’m not

    Over the past two weeks I’ve fallen victim to resistance. Resistance to write, eat healthy, workout, be social, all of it.

    In large part because I have been living in complete fear.

    It’s exhausting.

    When we focus too much on other people’s issues, other people’s success, the things we don’t have, the issues we’re dealing with personally, we lose ourselves.

    I try to show up, love hard, and support my people. But I am continuing to learn that I can’t abandon myself in the process.

    Because when I’m at my best—mentally, physically, spiritually— I have an abundance mindset. And it is that mindset that allows me to help, give, listen, etc.

    That’s what I remembered at the gym this morning, after a sleepless night of binge-watching TV and whispering wild promises to myself like, “I’m starting 75 Hard tomorrow. Two workouts a day. Whole foods only. Let’s get shredded.”

    And hey—I respect the energy behind that. But here’s the conclusion I came to and the note I wrote myself:

    The goal isn’t to overhaul everything overnight. That’s not possible.

    The goal is to get back in the saddle.

    The goal is one small win at a time.

    You are not going to heal your gut, reach your physical goals, make a million dollars, and become Buddha in a single day.

    But you can show up today. Drink some water. Move your body. Eat something that actually fuels you. Take some deep breaths. Write something. Call a friend. Take a walk.

    That’s how you get back to the life you want to live.

    The life where you treat your body, mind, and spirit with deep respect.

    The life where you love on your people, not because you have to—but because you’re full enough to give freely without expecting anything in return.

    If you can live that way, you’ll be able to live with the results. And I think you’ll like them.

  • Being fearless

    Who comes to mind when you think of being fearless?

    What characteristics do they have?

    In everything that we do, it would be better if we were a little more fearless. 

  • The subtle difference that defines your mindset

    There’s a difference between wanting more from yourself and wanting more for yourself.

    The first implies ownerships.

    The second implies entitlement.

  • If Anxiety Were a Person

    If anxiety were a person, he’d be the guy who always has something to say, but never has a solution.

    He’d sit next to you at the edge of the big moment—

    Right before the pitch.

    Right before the call.

    Right before you said yes to something that scares you a little and excites you a lot.

    He wouldn’t scream.

    He’d whisper:

    “Are you sure you’re ready?”

    “Maybe wait a little longer.”

    “What if you mess this up?”

    And then he’d pull out his favorite tricks:

    He’d call himself perfectionism, and convince you not to start until everything is flawless.

    He’d pose as overthinking, replaying every possible outcome until your confidence cracks.

    He’d dress up as procrastination, convincing you to wait until Monday, or next month, or “after things settle down.”

    And his best disguise? Imposter syndrome—convincing you that there is no way in hell you belong where you are.

    Anxiety doesn’t make a scene.

    He sabotages quietly.

    He constantly manipulates.

    And his goal is simple:

    Keep you safe and comfortable.

    In other words, unfulfilled.

    “Safe” never launched the business.

    “Comfortable” never looked for a new job.

    Neither of them changed the world.

    Or more important, never changed their world.

    Here’s the truth:

    Anxiety only shows up when you’re close to something that matters.

    He’s not a stop sign—he’s a spotlight.

    A signal that you’re playing in the right arena.

    So the next time he takes the seat beside you, let him talk. Listen even.

    And then do it anyway.

  • Operate Out of Love, Not Fear

    In order to truly maximize creativity, we need to create from a place of love, not fear.

    Fear can be an incredible motivator, sure. Plenty of businesses have been built on it.

    The problem is, if fear is what gets you to the top, it will also greet you when you get there. It never goes away. It wakes you up and tucks you in at night.