The Unlived Life

3 minute read.

My 2024 Word of the Year is “Send It” it is a general theme to go all in and speed a bit recklessly towards an outcome — it’s not a Daredevil “wing it” mindset like our friend Larry, its a “I know the direction I’m going, the plan is not perfect, but, I’m going to send it anyway”.

I’m taking this theme into my four domains: Faith, Fitness, Family and Finances and letting it influence the vision I’ve cast for each.

While planning is essential for great execution, what I’ve found to be true is that more is learned in the process than the outcome.

You need direction and a compass [Vision & Values] but the whole picture is not supposed to be clear.

The “perfect” plan/person/opportunity does not exist — if you think it does you’re procrastinating… or as Pressfield says being controlled by resistance.

Life is iterative, constantly changing and always evolving.

The best we can do is the best we can do in every moment.

Consistent forward velocity towards an outcome matters more than the perfectly engineered plan.

Send it, trust the process and let go of the outcome.

The finish line is not up to us — only the process is.

Last year my Outcome Goal was to run a 100 Mile Ultramarathon at Brazzo’s Bend State Park on December 2nd, 2023.

I mapped the course, researched the trails and planned for the travel and humidity — I had a vision for the finish line.

I worked all year towards the outcome of crossing the finish line of my first 100 Mile Ultramarathon and receiving the coveted 100 Mile Buckle, Alligator stamped medal and finish line selfie.

I could taste it — this was going to be my one and done 100 miler and I’d have the trophy to prove it.

This outcome was my guiding direction.

To make that dream possible I had a daily, weekly and monthly process goal based around running.

Run. Pretty much everyday.

How does the saying go? “Man Plans, and God Laughs.”

Life is unpredictable.

Four days before the race it got canceled due to weather.

Bummer.

But, I roll with gangsters, so even though the plans changed we pivoted and ran it anyway. 

But, the Outcome Details went right out the window.

The outcome is out of your control.

The process is the only thing that matters.

The process is the discipline of showing up, lacing up, sitting down and sending it.

Doing the thing you know you have to do.

Every. Single. Day.

It’s not sexy — it’s not exciting — and there is no cheering squad in the early morning or late night sessions.

Its boring and unseen.

You’re alone and you are thousands of miles away from the finish line.

It’s easy to get discouraged when you look at it this way.

It’s why most people quit — on their dreams, their habits, relationships and anything of meaning.

They have a picture of perfection that is far away and foggy attached to a outcome they have absolutely no control of…

All the while forgetting that the only thing that matters is the daily process of sending it.

Much Love.

E