There’s something that happens when you realize that many of the things you’ve believed for so long are lies. I don’t have the perfect word to describe that feeling. Trepidation comes close, but even that feels inadequate. It’s a moment that forces you to question everything else you believe in.
This past week, my worldview was shaken in two major ways.
First, a close family friend passed away last Thursday. She was so young, barely in her mid-40s, and yet she’ll never see the sun shine again. Her death broke my heart and made me think deeply about life and death. If she had known when she would die, would she have lived differently? Maybe, maybe not. Her passing left me with so many questions about the afterlife and God. Why do bad things happen to good people? It’s a clichéd question, but one I’ve yet to find a satisfying answer to. I cried.
Here’s the question I asked myself: If I knew when I was going to die, how would I live my life right now? What kind of life would I want to lead? Death forces introspection upon us. One thing I’ve concluded is this: I will not live a life of mediocrity. If I have one life to live, I’m going to live it well. I’ll find my purpose, pursue it relentlessly, and make the most of my time.
The truth is, no one dies having done everything they could or wanted to. Everyone dies somewhere along the journey. Death is the final destination, the light at the end of the tunnel. But here’s the thing: if I’m going to die along the journey, I believe I have the power to decide how far I’ve traveled before I go.
Phew… Enough Sadness for Now
Coincidentally, while I was pondering life and death, I started reading a book by Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan called 10x Is Easier Than 2x. The book blew my mind. I felt like I could rule the world—like I could punch a hole in the space-time continuum and walk away like nothing happened.
The authors’ ideas challenge much of what I’ve been taught or believed. The core premise of 10x is about doing less to achieve more. It’s not about grinding harder or hustling more. Instead, it’s about setting seemingly impossible goals, cutting out the fluff, and focusing only on the actions that drive the most impact. The book leverages the 80/20 principle: 20% of your actions yield 80% of your results. 10x growth is exponential, while 2x growth is incremental. The authors argue that it’s easier to go from 0 to 10 than from 9 to 10.
Here’s a quick summary of the book, courtesy of AI:
Forget small goals, go big! This book flips the script on achievement. It argues that aiming for a 10x increase in anything, from income to free time, is counterintuitively easier than just doubling it. The secret? Focusing on what truly matters—your time, money, relationships, and purpose. By strategically expanding these "Four Freedoms," you’ll find massive growth comes with more ease and satisfaction.
In the meantime, I encourage you to check out this book. It’s a game-changer, and I hope you fall in love with its ideas like I did.
A Parting Thought
To leave you on a lighter note, here’s a little proverb to spice up your day. If you can decipher its meaning, you’re probably a genius. If not, well, you might just prefer clarity and straightforwardness. Either way, don’t forget to memorize it:
The monkey that learns to sleep on the ground will soon become friends with the lion.