Week 407 (brendan@brendanbarca.com)

Here's your weekly dose of Fuel Your Mind Friday where I share business building ideas, lifestyle design hacks, and inspirational content to help you thrive in your work and find purpose in your life.

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PSA: My wife, Pema Sherpa, and I have another blog called The Mindful Minute! Check it out.

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DON'T FIGHT THE ALLIGATORS
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"I must remember, I am here today to cross the swamp, not to fight all the alligators." - Rosemund Stone Zander

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I've always had a tendency to try to make life harder than it needs to be.

I tell myself I need to make a million before I can relax.

Or that I need to have an illustrious career before I can feel accomplished.

Or that I need to solve every little problem I have before I go to sleep at night.
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Much of my life is spent chasing some arbitrary goal or fixing some newfound "problem."

But, as I look closer, I start to wonder...

Do these goals have to be chased?

Do these problems need to be fixed?
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For example, one goal I have is to generate enough passive income to fund my monthly living expenses.

I tell myself that this goal will give me the freedom I desire.

My internal dialogue sounds something like this...

If only I can get to that point, I'll be able to free myself of email, take time off, and trek through Patagonia.

But, do I really need that much money to ditch email and trek through Patagonia? No.
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Oftentimes, when I look closely, I realize I am creating hurdles for myself.

It's as if I'm standing on one side of the swamp and beckoning all the alligators to block my path.

Why do I do this?

Why do I try to make life harder than it needs to be?
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I believe it's this narrative in my head that says "life should be hard."

For a long time, I've told myself... if I want a dream life then I have to work overtime.

I need to wrestle with every alligator before I can relax on the beach.
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But, what if we don't have to fight all the alligators?

What if life doesn't have to be as challenging as we make it out to be.

Maybe the journey to the other side of the swamp can be as peaceful as a relaxing swim.
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As you look at your own goals right now, ask yourself...

Am I making my path harder than it needs to be?

How can I reach my goals without fighting all the alligators?
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At the end of your life, you won't be measured by the number of alligators you've wrestled.

So, you can choose to make your journey as peaceful or as treacherous as you want it to be.

Will you stop beckoning the alligators?

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Thanks for subscribing,

- Brendan

​Let's connect on LinkedIn!

​brendanbarca.com​

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p.s. If you're a longtime subscriber you may have noticed this is a repost from a few years back. As a new father juggling a lot sometimes I need to repurpose old content. Thanks for your support!

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Don't miss our newest creation, The Mindful Minute -> ​Check it out here!