Wellness, Wealth & Mindset Weekly (#020)
Personal Lessons and Experiences From The Past Week
Health
In terms of health, this week I have been prioritising how we often take our health for granted, as well as the fact that our perception of health is largely shaped by our personal experiences.
When individuals are genuinely committed to improving their well-being, they have a clear understanding of how good they feel, and this becomes their baseline for day-to-day actions. On the other hand, someone who hasn't engaged in many exercises or is struggling with their fitness may perceive their current state as normal, unaware of how much better they could actually feel.
It is crucial to recognise health from an individual standpoint rather than getting caught up in external influences that dictate what is considered healthy. While certain factors such as lower body fat percentage, healthy blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and overall good biomarkers contribute to a healthy lifestyle, one's body shape and size are also unique to each person. Being a model-like figure is not a prerequisite for being classified as healthy. Understanding how you personally feel and how you can improve your health is of utmost importance.
For instance, someone who is already in great physical shape may still strive to become even fitter if they are training for a marathon and aiming for a specific time. Even if they are already much healthier than the average individual, their perception of health pushes them to pursue higher fitness levels.
Consider a scenario where a person's marathon time is three hours and 30 minutes. This already places them in the top percentile of marathon runners, as only 10% of the population has ever completed a marathon. However, to achieve a time of under three hours, they would need to further enhance their fitness. Although they are already exceptionally fit compared to others who haven't even run a mile in their lives, someone who hasn't yet run a mile might perceive running a marathon as an insurmountable challenge. Understanding your own personal journey and finding ways to improve your health without being fixated on a specific mindset is essential.
The notion that "this is how I feel, and it's normal for me" should be reconsidered. What feels normal for you in your current state may not be normal for another person. Similarly, what feels normal for someone who already runs marathons may not be normal for you. It is crucial to understand health from an individual perspective and determine where you want to go on your personal health journey. The starting point, whether good or bad, may not always be the same for both parties.
Future circumstances, accidents, and various factors can affect someone's health and potentially decrease it. However, regardless of your current state, you always have the opportunity to improve. It is important to appreciate and value your current position while recognising that you can progress and become healthier and happier.
Where you are now is not a fixed state. It is a constant opportunity for change. You have the power to make a difference today by taking small actions on a daily basis. Therefore, understand that your health is not set in stone this week. Where you currently find yourself is not where you will end up, as you always have the ability to move forward.
No matter what obstacles you face, you can overcome them and consistently take small steps toward improvement. The journey you embark on and the steps you take will be the most valuable lessons, rather than fixating solely on reaching a specific goal. It's important to appreciate the rewards and value derived from the process itself, rather than focusing solely on the rewards obtained at the end.
So, this week, concentrate on the process. Emphasise that where you are now is not your final destination. It is simply a temporary state.
Wealth
In terms of wealth, I came across recent news discussing the decline of high-end products in today's economic climate. Allow me to elaborate.
Essentially, several product categories that have experienced a reduction in demand are vegan products. It seems that our appetite for vegan food has gradually diminished over time, with a shift towards more basic, healthy, non-vegan options. Specifically, processed vegan foods such as vegan sausages have witnessed a decline in popularity.
The decrease in demand for processed foods and fake meats has led companies to discontinue manufacturing these items. As people's financial situation may be tighter, they are opting to spend their money on fewer items, but of higher quality. This trend reflects a shift in spending habits towards investing in durable products that can last five or six years, as opposed to purchasing multiple lower-quality items that only last a year. This change in spending habits is positive as it not only benefits individuals but also reduces the environmental impact by minimising both food waste and the consumption of disposable goods.
In the past, items were designed to be long-lasting, and people would even attempt to repair them when necessary. However, our society has been built on a culture of excessive consumption, where items are designed to be replaced frequently. Shifting towards a mindset of reduced consumption is beneficial, not only for individuals but also for the environment. This shift in spending habits, emphasising quality over quantity, has been highlighted in recent news and is a positive development.
Considering these changes, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on your own spending habits. Have they changed in the past couple of years due to the changing economy? Are you now more inclined to invest in high-quality items or have you reduced your overall spending? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Mindset
Mindset-wise, I was listening to a podcast this week by Sam Sinek where he interviewed Molly Bloom. If you haven't seen the film "Molly's Game," it's about Molly Bloom who started her own underground gambling ring. This ring attracted famous celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and politicians, and it hosted an exclusive poker game once a week. Molly made a good living from the tips she received. The podcast was particularly interesting because I had seen the film but had never heard Molly's story directly from her.
It was fascinating to delve into the details of her story and then re-watch the film this week, which I hadn't seen in a few years. I wanted to understand the intricacies of her journey. The mindsets she developed and the shifts she experienced along the way were truly intriguing. It made me reflect on what drove her to enter this industry, considering her upbringing.
Additionally, Molly underwent significant identity shifts. She was offered an opportunity to work for the FBI and assist in uncovering Russian mobs in America, as she had accidentally gotten involved with them. However, she decided to plead guilty to the illegal act of taking a cut from the betting money, as she was not registered as a casino. Taking a cut was only intended to cover the losses incurred by the players.
Unfortunately, her situation became complicated when she unknowingly had dealings with Russian individuals. Despite being innocent, Molly chose to go to prison and to maintain her independence rather than becoming a slave to the FBI as an undercover informant. She knew they would have had control over her for years, even after completing the tasks they assigned her.
I found it incredibly powerful to hear her speak on the podcast about understanding one's values, standing up for what you believe in, and prioritizing freedom over material possessions. It's not about fancy cars and material wealth; it's about having the freedom to make your own choices and pursue your goals independently.
I highly recommend checking out the podcast, which I'll provide in the show notes. It was an enlightening conversation with Sam Sinek, who is an amazing speaker. You might also find other interesting episodes on his podcast. I've just started listening to it myself and it's already on my regular podcast rotation.
Don't forget to watch the film as well. I'll include a link in the show notes, and it's available on Amazon Prime and Netflix. It's a captivating story that offers insights into Molly's journey and the challenges she faced. Her ability to carve her own path in life is truly inspiring. It also sheds light on the mindset behind the choices she made and the dangers of succumbing to greed. Give it a watch, it's really worth checking out.
Lyric/ Quote I'm pondering
“was as if being rich filtered out the inconveniences of life and left you with only the best parts.” - Molly Bloom
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