Subscribe to my newsletter - the Step Up! You'll get an inside look into my thoughts, mental models, and ways of going about life - with the goal of helping you do the same. Take the first step and join me on this journey. Newsletter every Thursday at 4:30pm CST.
The Step Up - Vol 10: If This Isn't the Time of My Life, Then When Is?
Vol. 10: If This Isn't the Time of My Life, Then When Is?This made me pause. This was the ending screen at EDEN's concert, and it's been a motto around his recent album DARK. It relates to one of my biggest struggles: constantly focusing on what's next and often forgetting to appreciate the present. If this isn't the time of my life, then when is? It's so easy to get caught up in the pursuit:
I struggle with this. I'm always thinking about the future. The next event, leadership role, or development opportunity. I have to make a daily conscious effort to pause. It's easy to forget what you have: the life you're living. You're living the life you used to dream of. This is both a message to you and reminder to myself: pursue, but don't forget to appreciate. This morning I had one of the roughest runs yet. I've been abnormally exhausted the past few days, but I just forced myself to get time on my feet. The run hurt. It sucked. Not fun. But my performance and time today was still a lot better than it was 3 months ago. Your present worst days are better than your past best days. Let's do this grounding activity together (shoutout Katrena King for this one): Breath in - 1, 2, 3, 4 Breath out - 1, 2, 3, 4 Breath in - 1, 2, 3, 4 Breath out - 1, 2, 3, 4 Now feel where you're holding tension in your body. Your shoulders, your jaw, your neck. Release it. Feel your feet on the ground. Your back in your chair or the phone in your hand. Think about what you're thankful for today. The food you ate, the good music you listened to, the friends who made you smile. You're living the life you used to dream of. Your present worst days are better than your past best days. If this isn't the time of your life, then when is? See you next Thursday, Steppers. We will succeed, Grayson Song of the Week:
ROCKMAN's soundscape pairs nicely with this newsletter's emotional ending. Mk.gee quickly became of my favorite artists last year (his album Two Star & the Dream Police was my #1 album of 2024), and I even bought tickets to his Houston concert this year before not going (biggest music regret I have, but I'll catch him next tour). ROCKMAN followed that album and is just infectious. I could describe his sound as lo-fi, bedroom pop, but it's really just his own unique sound - he just sounds like Mk.gee. Whether a late night drive, walk around the park, or focus work session, Mk.gee stands on top. His music grounds me. |
Grayson Stepanek
Subscribe to my newsletter - the Step Up! You'll get an inside look into my thoughts, mental models, and ways of going about life - with the goal of helping you do the same. Take the first step and join me on this journey. Newsletter every Thursday at 4:30pm CST.
Vol. 11: The Power of Thanks Friendsgiving at Cafe Bella Today's all about giving thanks. There's so much power in that mindset. Thankfulness. An "attitude of gratitude," as the Boomers call it (shoutout Zig Ziglar). But it's true. Poising your mind to be in a state of thankfulness is so, so powerful. Gratitude puts you in a positive headspace, reducing fears or negativity. It makes you more present and aware, pulling you from the future's "what if's" or the past's "why's." It reduces...
Vol 9: The Myth of Youthful Energy My actual calendar from last week Last week was a whole month. Literally the busiest week of my year. A productive, fun, meaningful busy - but busy nonetheless. It made me think about how people say they appreciate someone's "youthful energy" when the other person is doing a lot, and that's always stuck with me, but not in the way those people intend. "Youthful energy" is a myth. Putting myself in these shoes: I know people older than me who are working...
Volume 8: Two Important Things About Leadership As I type this, I just got back from my Leadership Lafayette graduation (shoutout Mary-Katherine for the mention during your speech), and I've been thinking about leadership a lot recently. A lot can be said about leadership, and I will never be able to say it all. But two aspects of leadership have been ringing in my mind recently: Leadership looks different Leadership is not about you Leadership Lafayette Class XXXVIII - the Great 38 (not...