Vulnerability doesn’t make you weak, it actually positions you to become powerful.

This quote by Edison has sat with me this week, but probably not for the reasons you would initially think. The common feeling most people get with this quote is the obvious. Keep going until you find something that works, Don’t give up, Stay strong during times of struggle. All of these are valid, and absolutely reasons to bookmark this quote and revisit it when all hope feels lost. But I am going to challenge you to take a new perspective.

Imagine sitting in a room, and you have someone who I can only imagine was incredibly respected among peers, say this exact quote. I think my initial reaction wouldn’t be to feel inspired, but in fact surprised. How is someone seemingly so smart and powerful admitting that they have failed so much more than they have succeeded. This level of vulnerability comes across as so counter cultural even back then, it would catch most be complete surprise.

See people today expect success to be matched with confidence, pride, probably a little bit of ego, and the intelligence to go along with all of that. But when you take a step back, the people who are the most successful show a level of vulnerability about themselves that becomes a sort of super power. When you show vulnerability you become relatable, it lets the armor you carry become seemingly nonexistent, it shows people who look up to you, that even you are human.

I hear you, you're not successful yet right? You don't have any of those problems so this is all worthless. Wrong. See vulnerability is also a super power for the ones who are coming up in their careers, or businesses as well. There is nothing worse in a circle of successful people, than the one person who reeks with “I am a big deal” when everyone in the group knows they are all talk. Carrying vulnerability with you before you actually make it also allows you to remain open, coachable, and willing to learn from anyone who will pour into you. When you present this way, more and more people will be willing to give you their time and knowledge. This will ultimately push you down the road much further than if you try to act like “a big deal” when lets be honest, everyone knows your not.

Try it, I know it’s scary, but open up and be vulnerable to someone new this week. Maybe it’s a new group, or maybe it’s just one person you admire or look up to. I promise you, in doing so, you find new opportunities, meet new people, and discover a new level of personal growth you haven’t yet. Be Vulnerable.

— JD

Anyone else follow Jocko and see these posts? This dude is an absolute savage. There are two feelings I get when I see his scratched up Ironman Timex on my feed, when I finally force my non morning person self out of my comfortable bed and into the morning. Motivation, and defeat. On one end I feel motivated to get my crap together, and get in the gym in the morning. This guy is on all accounts crushing life, so why when my alarm goes off at 4:33:06am I don’t feel like someone crushing it, I feel like I am being crushed. Probably a little dramatic, but it's how it feels at that hour. I would rather do, I don’t know, anything, before getting up at that time. The amount of excuses I can make on demand when I try to wake up that early is honestly, incredible. I think these posts serve as an accountability system more than anything else. Keep pushing. You may not be there right now, I sure am not. But seeing theses at 6am when I finally do find my way into the gym gives me something to keep chasing, and isn’t that all we really need in life?

“Stay on task.” - Jocko Willink

New here? Welcome! Let me take this last section to just thank you for being interested in the things that I also find interesting. The world is such a big place, and we are all on different journeys. My sole mission is to help you uncover something new that helps you along yours. I genuinely hope this newsletter brings you value. If it does, the biggest favor I can ask of you is share it with a friend. It’s free, and will always stay free. Just widening its reach is my sole purpose. I appreciate each and every one of you reading this, truly, and I hope this helps to fuel your tank in some way.

— JD