When Frustration Leads to a Breakthrough
I have to say it—I’m so frustrated with Otter.
For 30 minutes, I spoke my thoughts, expecting it to transcribe. But what happened? More than 10 transcripts lost. No way to export. Nothing.
This happened too many times. I’m done with Otter.
But here’s the thing—this frustration pushed me to find something better. It led me to a habit that is now changing my life.
Every Choice Has a Cost—Pick Yours Wisely
Recently, a bank officer told me,
“I have no choice but to be addicted to alcohol.”
That hit me. No choice? There’s always a choice.
I told him:
Every addiction, every coping mechanism—comes with a cost. The real question is, what price are you willing to pay?
During the pandemic, I drank a little to unwind. But then I realised the price I was paying:
- Health problems, especially with my family history of liver disease.
- Money wasted—alcohol isn’t cheap.
- Late nights, drained energy—staying up till midnight with friends, overusing my body.
So, I quit. I switched to working out instead.
Now, I work out one hour a day—starting from just 30 minutes. And it’s not just me anymore.
Some days, I train alone. Other days, I have one, five, or even ten people joining me. Our routine is simple:
- 15 mins gym
- 15 mins swim
- 15 mins sauna
In the sauna, we don’t just sweat. We talk. About life, work, struggles.
We are mindful of one thing—to lift each other up, not tear each other down.
This isn’t just about physical health. It’s about mental, emotional, and spiritual growth too.
A New “Addiction” That Started From Boredom
Recently, I picked up a new habit—walking for 30 minutes before bed.
At first, I hated it. It was so boring.
But then I changed something. I started talking to myself. Recording my thoughts. (And no, not using Otter—never again.)
Now, you might think, “This guy is crazy, walking around talking to himself.”
But this simple habit changed everything:
- I now hit 10,000 steps daily—up from 8,000, then 9,000 (tracked on my Garmin).
- I sleep better.
- I wake up clear-headed.
And most importantly—my late-night walks turn into meaningful reflections. I turn these into articles, sharing real-life lessons with others.
Why Women Outlive Men: A Lesson in Expression
Ever wondered why women generally live longer than men?
Maybe it’s biological—childbirth, monthly cycles.
But I’ve noticed something deeper.
Women express their emotions better.
They cry. They laugh. They vent. They gossip.
Men? Poker faces. Silent.
I saw this in my mom growing up. She could say the harshest things—but she never broke. She held the family together.
My wife? Same.
The women around me? Same.
They let it out. Then they move on.
Men? We bottle it up. And that’s where we fall.
Words vs. Actions: A Shift in Perspective
A few nights ago, while having dinner with guests, my wife suddenly said:
“I don’t believe in servant leadership.”
That hit me hard. Servant leadership is my core belief.
But I didn’t argue. I took a walk instead.
As I paced around the park, recording my thoughts, I asked myself:
- Should I focus on her words or her actions?
- What is the real truth here?
Then, I realised something.
That whole week, she had been:
- Cooking dinner for the guests I invited.
- Helping the kids with homework.
- Putting three kids to bed—while carrying another inside her.
Her actions screamed servant leadership.
Ten years ago, my wife was a young girl with a fairytale view of love:
“If you treat me well, you love me. If you don’t, you don’t.”
Back then, her belief in servant leadership? 0%.
Today? If there’s a 50-point scale, I’d say she’s at 30%.
So, should I be upset at the 30% she hasn’t reached?
Or appreciate the 30% she has grown into?
That night, I came home with a new perspective.
The next morning? I wasn’t upset anymore. I loved her even more.
Numbing Yourself vs. Growing Yourself
It’s easy to grab a drink. To scroll social media. To “switch off.”
But what’s the cost?
- Alcohol steals your health, money, and focus.
- Social media steals your time, clarity, and fills your mind with junk.
Compare that to my night walks:
- It costs 30 minutes—but I get clarity.
- It costs 30 minutes—but I wake up with peace.
- It costs 30 minutes—but I see my wife anew—with no grudges.
Mindless coping numbs you.
Intentional reflection grows you.
So ask yourself:
Are your habits making you a better person or just keeping you distracted?
Fire: Does It Burn You or Build You?
Guarding your heart isn’t about avoiding fire. It’s about learning how to handle it.
- 🔥 Uncontrolled fire destroys—trust, peace, relationships.
- 🔥 Controlled fire refines—honesty, patience, strength.
A study found 90% of top leaders have high emotional intelligence (EQ)—they know how to regulate their emotions and build trust.
Low EQ? More stress, broken teams, and personal burnout.
In life:
- Impulse burns bridges.
- Reflection builds them.
🔥 Fire can burn you, or it can forge you into something stronger.
The difference? Whether you learn to master it.
For Men Like Me: A Call to Reflect
Men, by nature, don’t talk about feelings.
Introverts like me? Even worse.
So, we turn to other coping mechanisms—drinking, social media, distractions.
But my challenge to you—especially men, introverts, leaders:
- What’s your default coping mechanism?
- Is it helping you grow or holding you back?
- What would happen if you replaced it with something that builds you?
Try this:
Take a walk. Talk to yourself. Record your thoughts. See what shifts.
I’m turning my reflections into articles—real lessons for people like me, who are stuck but looking for a way forward.
The world will try to make you hard.
But we don’t have to let it.
I choose to guard my heart, so I can stand strong in it—and protect those I love.
Will you let fire break you—or make you stronger?
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