Pain Is Inevitable

Stoic Quote of the Week

You cry, I'm suffering severe pain! Are you then relieved from feeling it, if you bear it in an unmanly way?

-Seneca

What I learned this week:

I've always said that pain is a powerful teacher. It taught us not to touch the hot burner on the stove. It taught us that falling off a bike isn't very much fun. As we grow on in life, we learn other things from pain, like how it can distract us from what's important. It can prevent us from wanting to get out of bed in the morning, even knowing that if we don't get out of bed and work out, the pain will become worse. I was dealing with that kind of pain this week. The kind that wears on you. The kind of pain that makes you want to just sit in the corner and feel sorry for yourself. As I'm dealing with the pain, I'm dealing with what I call an abundance of opportunity with my business. Some big things are happening, and significant decisions must be made. My mental acuity and capacity were dwindling to near nothing. I'm good at hiding it on podcasts and videos. But I know the inner truth that I would perform much better if I weren't allowing these things to build in my mind and steal my capacity to think and react. The burden isn't just in the business; it affects all aspects of who I am, even my desire to interact with my team and family. Yesterday, I decided I wanted to change. I told myself that it was time to embrace the pain and become the man God had called me to be. Embracing the pain means I no longer groan and sigh when I sit or stand. It means I will not allow the pain to dictate and steal my time from me. I didn't do some woo-woo thing and manifest my pain away. No. The pain is still there. I decided that I would not allow the pain to limit me or drive my life. As Haruki Murakami said, "Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional." The decision is yours, wo-is me, or I will not let anything stop me.

Planning thought of the week:

Brainstorming solutions for a problem are often skipped because there isn't enough time. Brainstorming solutions is one of the key elements for creating a successful solution. Too often, I've seen people want to dive into implementing the solution without considering other approaches. Brainstorming is also the best time to get your team involved. Hear their ideas and approaches. There is an excellent chance they will have a better solution than you. Don't skip the brainstorming step.

Business idea I heard about or thought of:

Over the last four years, I've coached nearly 200 soon-to-be veterans preparing to take the uniform off and step back into the civilian workforce. It is my passion project. I love helping these men and women discover and build a plan for their next adventure in life. One of the things I've learned over the years is that there is no set solution to be used across the board. Each person's dreams are different. I've also learned that too many people settle for where they are. They are comfortable doing and being who they are, even though they say they don't like it. They are not willing to change. Change is a scary thing. The military taught us change is good, but it was directed change, not change of our own accord. Being responsible for putting yourself into an unknown change and risking the financial security of you and your family is a huge burden. That's why most people who are not happy with who and where they are in life don't make the change. Taking that on is a huge responsibility, and the perceived risk is insurmountable. That's why I do what I do with these men and women. I teach them about mindfulness. I help them see what their future can be. I help them build a plan and track the progress of that plan. Finally, for those seeking another career, I teach them how to analyze the opportunities and find the right career for them. You don't have to be a service member to go through this transition in life. If you are asking yourself, is this all there is? Is this who I want to be in five years? Ten years? Give me a call.

Veteran opportunity of the week:

Very little has changed. We still see the Veteran suicide rate averaging 22 a day. No matter how bad it is. No matter how alone you feel. You are not. The number of veteran organizations that are itching to help is uncountable! There is no excuse for feeling alone. As I learned a long time ago when prepping for missions, you are never alone, no matter where you are. There is someone who is ready to come to you and rescue you. They just have to know where you are. You are never alone and never forgotten. Raise your hand and send a message. There is a QRF on standby, ready to deploy.

Someone I met this week:

There are few things better than an unplanned encounter with a good friend you haven't seen in a long time. I was at a gathering last weekend in the DC area. During the kickoff, because we are a very bespoke group, to say the least, we took turns doing our this is me intro. The room was pretty big and a little dark, so it was hard to see everyone once we sat down. It happened as we went around the room; my good friend, Gianni, stood up and introduced himself. What! Holy crap! I didn't know you were here! I nearly yelled. We broke off the agenda and did the right thing, smoked cigars, drank whiskey, and caught up. Life is about the moments we spend with those close to us. Our conversation ranged from how our families are doing to what is legacy. It doesn't get much better than that. If you don't know my friend Ioannis 'Gianni' Koskinas, you should, and while you're at it, check out the amazing work on atmospherics that his company, Hoplite Group, is doing.

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Link to current The Cam & Otis Show podcast episode Eli Packouz - Instafloss | Cam & Otis Show Ep.?#288.

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