Building Brain Waves Newsletter

February 5, 2020

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Let’s jump into a quote, a thought, something fun, and the value-add of the week

A Quote From Someone:

“Man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible.” - Victor E. Frankl


A Thought From Me:

Focus on what you want to do instead of focusing on what you’re trying to avoid.

I’ll elaborate on this with a story I heard this week, which was told as follows:

A novice hang glider pilot is on a mountainside prepping for his first solo flight. He’s been through training, practiced with his instructor, and he’s now ready to fly on his own. Just before his first flight, the instructor points toward the parking lot down below the take-off point and says something to the effect of, “WHATEVER YOU DO DON’T FLY INTO THE PARKING LOT DOWN THERE.” The novice hang glider pilot takes off, and from the moment he’s off the ground he gets so fixated on avoiding the parking lot that the parking lot is all he can focus on. He ends up careening down and eventually cruises into the parking lot, smashing into his own truck. The pilot comes out unscathed, but his truck doesn’t end up so lucky.

I’m not sure if this story is true, but it sure has a valid point. In my personal life, I’ve found that when I focus my mental energy on what I’m trying to avoid, I usually end up with more of whatever that undesirable thing is. Life tends to be smoother and more meaningful when I focus on what I actually want to accomplish in any given moment.


Something Fun:

We’re having a pretty good winter for skiers over here in Utah. So here’s an old clip of one of my favorite skiers, Candide Thovex, going big.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNagFLc_1Ow


Value-add of the week:

This week’s value-add of the week (and many, many previous weeks) goes to my mom!

Starting Building Brain Waves and attempting to slowly move my career into the world of mental health made 2019 one of the most challenging years I’ve experienced. Through the ride I’ve had many people support me, but if there’s one who stands out, it’s definitely mom. Gotta love a good mom. If you have a good mom, take some time this week to say thanks and give her some appreciation.

What would you like to see in this newsletter? Let me know by emailing nelson@buildingbrainwaves.com.

Nelson Lee

Founder of Building Brain Waves