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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." Navy SEAL training has an exercise called “drown-proofing,” where they tie you up and dump you into a pool. Your job is to survive for five minutes. Most SEALs fail. A few have even died. But some make it. And they do so because they understand two counterintuitive lessons: * The more you struggle to keep your head above water, the more likely you are to sink. * The more you panic, the more oxygen you will burn and the more likely you are to fall unconscious and drown. This skill—the ability to let go when you want control the most—is one of the most important skills anyone can develop. You see, for simple, mindless, repetitive tasks in life, effort and reward tend to have a linear relationship. Spend an hour in the car and you'll go further than you would in 30 minutes. However, most activities in life are not mindless. Most are complex, mentally and/or emotionally taxing, and require adaptation. You don’t always get what you put in. Over time, in fact, you get less. With most things in life, the more you try, the more you get. But with the most important things, the opposite is true. * Pursuing happiness takes you further away from it. * Seeking approval makes you feel more rejected. * Wanting more freedom makes you feel trapped. And that’s the paradox: The stuff you want most—peace, freedom, confidence—you can’t get by chasing it. You only get it by giving up the chase. See you Monday, Mark P.S. Giving up the chase is the easy part. Knowing what to do instead—that's where most people get stuck. I built an AI coaching app called Purpose ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/n4ur30p38dsvhx0e69qs6h64dg7m3alhe0w4r/7qh7h8h95kgn0euz/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9qcTVqMXJkZw== ) to help people with exactly that. It doesn’t motivate you or pump you up like most AI. It learns who you are—your values, your patterns, your blindspots—and then shows you what you’ve been avoiding. Try it free here. ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/n4ur30p38dsvhx0e69qs6h64dg7m3alhe0w4r/7qh7h8h95kgn0euz/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9qcTVqMXJkZw== )​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/n4ur30p38dsvhx0e69qs6h64dg7m3alhe0w4r/owhkhqhwdkzq4zsv/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/n4ur30p38dsvhx0e69qs6h64dg7m3alhe0w4r/z2hghnhex4gl39up/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/n4ur30p38dsvhx0e69qs6h64dg7m3alhe0w4r/p8heh9h4o3vqz3hq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/n4ur30p38dsvhx0e69qs6h64dg7m3alhe0w4r/x0hph6he0rgqwpf5/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/n4ur30p38dsvhx0e69qs6h64dg7m3alhe0w4r/6qheh8hlekq97wso/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/n4ur30p38dsvhx0e69qs6h64dg7m3alhe0w4r/kkhmh6hnvd7xl2cl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/n4ur30p38dsvhx0e69qs6h64dg7m3alhe0w4r/58hvh7hg2ve6mzh6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/n4ur30p38dsvhx0e69qs6h64dg7m3alhe0w4r/25h2hoh3wv5m2oh3/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/n4ur30p38dsvhx0e69qs6h64dg7m3alhe0w4r/qvh8h7hdp7xkr8cl/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5r ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? Simply copy and paste the following link: https://markmanson.net/breakthrough/203-seal ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/n4ur30p38dsvhx0e69qs6h64dg7m3alhe0w4r/g3hnh5hmwdvq33hr/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMjAzLXNlYWw= )​ If you were forwarded this message, sign up to receive it each week here ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/n4ur30p38dsvhx0e69qs6h64dg7m3alhe0w4r/9qhzhnhdrq75pda9/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2g_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjMxLTA0LTE2JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ24tdXAtaGVyZQ== ). It’s free. I never spam. About this newsletter: You are receiving this email because you signed up to my free newsletter. Each week, I send you a few powerful ideas, a few questions to ask yourself, and a few things to try in your life. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter and all other updates from me, you can unsubscribe here ( https://fc541894.unsubscribe.convertkit-mail4.com/n4ur30p38dsvhx0e69qs6h64dg7m3alhe0w4r ). Disclaimer: By sending your breakthrough you are giving us your explicit consent to process the data and share it with our newsletter subscribers, MarkManson.net website visitors and on social media, including any sensitive data such as information regarding mental health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. You may opt out and/or request deletion of the data at any time. You acknowledge that once we have shared your breakthrough with the other email subscribers we can no longer delete the data from their mailboxes. Infinity Squared Media LLC, 2525 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90405

​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." 72 people had a breakthrough last week. Read this newsletter on MarkManson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/9qhzhnhdw7pe5ra9/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMjAyLWhhcHBpbmVzcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci0yMDI2MzAtMDQtMTMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9dmlldy1pbi1icm93c2Vy ). --------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT --------------------------------- Trying to be happy is like trying to fall asleep. Forcing it prevents it. You don't make it happen; you remove the impediments to it happening on its own. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/3ohphkh3mw7kplir/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDQyOTk3NDA4NzgzNTQ4NTc4 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/n2hohvhvqd3l79i6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RXXzJnY1BFOW9RLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/48hvhehmlor7x4sx/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDBnbnA3dkRaMVR0RThVcThoRDc4UGRBdEpqaUJGNlFNaEVEVTR6aWRFcjNDalZrQnFDSG9ja1c1UXhUdm1aanB4bA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/wnh2hghq7zwl00s7/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl90cnlpbmctdG8tYmUtaGFwcHktaXMtbGlrZS10cnlpbmctdG8tZmFsbC1hY3Rpdml0eS03NDQ4NzYzMDk5NzE4ODQ4NTEzLVNwN1g= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/reh8hohmd80o6ob2/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EV18xaG5abUxSdA== ) If you stop chasing happiness for long enough, you will find it was there all along. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/8ghqhohod4l7r4bk/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDQzMzU4NzM5NzU1OTM0MTgx ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/vqh3hrho05pqq2hg/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RYQ1dib0NFN2djLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/l2hehmhl2g3dd0a6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAyOFVZa2tvdGhNZm5OVGdSeWltZW5XdFpHNVcyRFM0Q2NHdVJzVVdQd1JNZ3ZKWGNSTTNTcllROVlmY0poSFF2Rmw= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/m2h7h5h35r8llqim/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl9pZi15b3Utc3RvcC1jaGFzaW5nLWhhcHBpbmVzcy1mb3ItbG9uZy1lbm91Z2gtYWN0aXZpdHktNzQ0OTEyNDM5NzUwNTg4MDA2NC1JTkl1 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/dpheh0he63022kfm/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EWENaMXZ4RnB3SQ== ) Reflect: Then consider sharing this thought with others. ---------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF ---------------------------------- What do you tell yourself you need before you can be happy? What would happen if you stopped? Recommended: Use these as journaling prompts for the week. ---------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK ---------------------------------- Pick one thing you're convinced will make you happy. Stop chasing it for a week. Reply and tell me what you notice. Remember: Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs. Reply to this email and let me know how it went. ----------------------------- Stop Chasing the Perfect Shoe ----------------------------- Sponsored by NOBULL ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/7qh7h8h9lgoxxmiz/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub2J1bGxwcm9qZWN0LmNvbS8_YWJyYWxpbms9eW5iZmlyc3Q1MCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5leHRicmVha3Rocm91Z2gmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1hZmZpbGlhdGUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5leHRicmVha3Rocm91Z2gmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9b3V0d29yaw== ) Most training shoes are designed to impress you in the store. Cushion, bounce, spring—all the stuff that feels great on carpet and collapses the second you load a barbell. The NOBULL Outwork strips all of it away. Flat sole. Wide toe box. A Ceramic upper stress-tested for a decade. No gimmicks, no seasonal redesigns—just a shoe that does what a training shoe is supposed to do. Same design for ten years. In an industry that launches a new model every six months, that's proof they got it right. I started training in mine and I'm never going back. Get $50 off your first order of $125+ with code YNBFIRST50. This week only. Stop chasing. Start Outworking. ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/7qh7h8h9lgoxxmiz/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub2J1bGxwcm9qZWN0LmNvbS8_YWJyYWxpbms9eW5iZmlyc3Q1MCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5leHRicmVha3Rocm91Z2gmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1hZmZpbGlhdGUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5leHRicmVha3Rocm91Z2gmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9b3V0d29yaw== ) ​ ------------------------- LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS ------------------------- In last week’s newsletter ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/owhkhqhw9zr008av/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMjAwLXNjYXJjaXR5P3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYzMC0wNC0xMyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1sYXN0LXdlZWtzLWVtYWls ), I asked you to pick an aspect of your life you might be taking for granted, and treat it as if it could disappear tomorrow. Val found this a “brilliant exercise:” “I'm an international medical graduate from a small Eastern European country called Moldova. When I moved to the US, literally all I wanted was to finish my medical training and become a US-certified physician. And when I say it's not easy for someone who finished med school outside of US, I reaaally freaking mean it. The day I found out I matched into my first-choice residency program was probably the happiest day of my life. And here I am, four years later, questioning how a sane person goes into the medical field, and how anyone can do a good job, take the best care of their patients, and still get to have a fulfilling and balanced life outside of work. First year into my attending life, I'm nearing burnout so quickly it's bedazzling. But putting it through the perspective of potentially losing it all of a sudden, honestly, scares me to death. I truly can't imagine not being able to practice medicine and advocate for those who can't do it themselves, especially now, with such a faulty and unstable healthcare system. Guess I have to manage my time a little better.” Bethany is grateful for her recovery: “I am in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and I am starting a local sober publication to promote and celebrate sobriety in my hometown. Here, drug and alcohol culture dominate. I want to change the narrative. I have been in fear about stepping out and making this dream a reality. I say, F*CK FEAR. I was once hopelessly addicted to crack, shackled in bondage by the chains of addiction, lost in the wilderness. I once badly wanted my freedom. I am happy to report that I now have 17 months clean. If my recovery disappeared tomorrow, and I chose to use again, I would be right back in that God-forsaken trap house—beset on all sides by evil men, begging God to get me out. Today, I am free. I am enjoying my second life with my soulmate, who I met in drug rehab of all places. And for the life God has given me, I am truly grateful.” Finally, this reader is choosing to cherish the time they once craved: “This newsletter hit hard. Why? Because I'm currently care-giving full-time for my frail, octogenarian mom whose health took a turn two weeks ago. Mom and I are buds—we bonded hard when I moved back in with her after we lost my dad at a young age. But for the past nine years, I've lived 4,600km away on the other side of Canada, and have only been able to visit her twice per year. When I'm in B.C., the scarcity I feel is quality in-person time with her, and right now, the scarcity I feel is the lack of personal time a person needs to stay balanced, plus missing my partner a lot and my loving dog. Mom has a palliative diagnosis, and while I had to stop working to care-give and can't even squeeze in a shower most days, what's meaningful to me is the time I get to spend that can't be recreated once she's gone. Thanks for the reminder that I have what I've wanted badly for the past nine years, even if it's under these circumstances.” As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous. Until next week, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author My Website ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/z2hghnhe6g3mmoap/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbms= ) – My Books ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/p8heh9h46vzppzhq/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluaw== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/6qheh8hlrq733nao/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/kkhmh6hnw7loomil/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5r ) -------------------------- WHAT ELSE AM I WORKING ON? -------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/l2h92l42imhl2g3ddqu6/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) --------------------------------------------- Purpose – An AI That Coaches Better Than I Do --------------------------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/l2h92l42imhl2g3ddqu6/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) Get a mentor that finds your personal growth opportunities and actually holds you accountable, for less than you spend on coffee every month. Start Your Free 7-Day Trial ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/l2h92l42imhl2g3ddqu6/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) ​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/qvh8h7hdwxrllzil/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/9qhzhnhdw7peert9/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/6qheh8hlrq733nao/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/n2hohvhvqd3ll9b6/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/48hvhehmlor774fx/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/wnh2hghq7zwll0t7/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/reh8hohmd80oooc2/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/08hwh9h2e8dpp4al/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz3venbmhrxzkog8i3h2n6x3/vqh3hrho05pq62sg/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5r ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." I’ve tried hundreds of productivity “hacks.” * Waking up at 4AM to do hours of guided meditations * Color-coding my calendar like Bob Ross without enough canvas * Drank mushroom coffee in a frigid shower (not recommended) None of it made me more productive. It just turned my avoidance into an art project. But after years of trial, error, and very expensive to-do lists, I’ve landed on a few principles that actually work. As someone with ADHD who’s been self-employed his entire adult life—here are the five things I swear by: 1. Work with your biology, not against it. What works for someone else might not work for you. Don’t force something that’s not a fit. 2. Embrace the minimum viable action. Take the smallest action that feels doable to you in this exact moment. Motivation is not just the cause of action—it’s also the effect. 3. You only improve what you measure. But be careful with the metrics you choose—incentives are powerful, and it’s easy to game the system to meet your goals. 4. Don’t fight your emotions. Leverage them. When you’re excited about your work, you’ll do more of it. Let passion be your North Star. 5. More is not always better. Working more hours might actually create negative returns after a certain point. Pushing yourself too hard harms both your work and your emotional state. See you Monday, Mark P.S. Pushing harder isn’t the answer, but a smarter tool is. I’ve tried everything to focus—noise-canceling headphones, lo-fi playlists, every productivity app that promised to change my life. None of it worked. Then I found Brain.fm ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghk6o7xwa7hndx6gwqu8h69vdk/kkhmh6hnwx6w7wtl/aHR0cHM6Ly9nby5icmFpbi5mbS9tYXJr ). Their science-backed focus music, used by over a million people, is engineered to modify your brain waves and boost focus within minutes. It even works with ADHD brains, not against them. Get your first month free here. ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghk6o7xwa7hndx6gwqu8h69vdk/kkhmh6hnwx6w7wtl/aHR0cHM6Ly9nby5icmFpbi5mbS9tYXJr )​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghk6o7xwa7hndx6gwqu8h69vdk/58hvh7hgx6kxe2s6/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghk6o7xwa7hndx6gwqu8h69vdk/25h2hoh39m495zi3/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghk6o7xwa7hndx6gwqu8h69vdk/qvh8h7hdwkowxmil/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghk6o7xwa7hndx6gwqu8h69vdk/g3hnh5hm9q69v4hr/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghk6o7xwa7hndx6gwqu8h69vdk/9qhzhnhdw5zw75t9/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghk6o7xwa7hndx6gwqu8h69vdk/3ohphkh3mp4mwksr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghk6o7xwa7hndx6gwqu8h69vdk/n2hohvhvq76qd4a6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghk6o7xwa7hndx6gwqu8h69vdk/48hvhehmlx6lootx/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghk6o7xwa7hndx6gwqu8h69vdk/wnh2hghq70x699h7/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5r ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter and all other updates from me, you can unsubscribe here ( https://fc541894.unsubscribe.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghk6o7xwa7hndx6gwqu8h69vdk ). Disclaimer: By sending your breakthrough you are giving us your explicit consent to process the data and share it with our newsletter subscribers, MarkManson.net website visitors and on social media, including any sensitive data such as information regarding mental health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. You may opt out and/or request deletion of the data at any time. You acknowledge that once we have shared your breakthrough with the other email subscribers we can no longer delete the data from their mailboxes. Infinity Squared Media LLC, 2525 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90405

​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." 64 people had a breakthrough last week. Read this newsletter on MarkManson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz96w7imhr2v3nwws3h2n6x3/kkhmh6hnw0gd35bl/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMjAwLXNjYXJjaXR5P3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYyOC0wNC0wNiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD12aWV3LWluLWJyb3dzZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ). -------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT -------------------------------- Scarcity dictates what’s meaningful. When you are alone, a relationship feels meaningful. When you’re in a relationship, time to yourself feels meaningful. When you are overworked, time off feels meaningful. When you have plenty of downtime, work feels meaningful. The scarcity never gets solved, it simply changes form. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz96w7imhr2v3nwws3h2n6x3/58hvh7hgxdpvz0f6/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDQwNDU5NTk5MjA0MDQxMTA0 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz96w7imhr2v3nwws3h2n6x3/25h2hoh39prve0a3/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RXdHdVaENFMVp2Lw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz96w7imhr2v3nwws3h2n6x3/qvh8h7hdwmg700il/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAzM1Q0V0VLRDNpNWZUcE1mcWJaQnlIQ0dya2dRMW9oVW9EbVNzQnNIcGRweG1KbUcyOUtIMXZXNlBSSFh4dTNUZmw= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz96w7imhr2v3nwws3h2n6x3/g3hnh5hm987dkzur/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl9zY2FyY2l0eS1kaWN0YXRlcy13aGF0cy1tZWFuaW5nZnVsLSVFMyU4NSVBNC13aGVuLWFjdGl2aXR5LTc0NDYyMjUyOTY1MzEzNjU4ODgtT2JLdQ== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz96w7imhr2v3nwws3h2n6x3/9qhzhnhdwvkqlgt9/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EV3R6ZGxHbEJMWg== ) Reflect: Then consider sharing this thought with others. ------------------------------------ THREE THINGS FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF ------------------------------------ What feels scarce to you now? What doesn’t? How does that dictate what feels meaningful to you right now? Recommended: Use these as journaling prompts for the week. ---------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK ---------------------------------- Pick one thing you have right now that you once wanted badly. Treat it like it could disappear tomorrow. Reply and let me know how that changes things. Remember: Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs. Reply to this email and let me know how it went. ------------------------ You Already Have Clarity ------------------------ Sponsored by Waking Up ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz96w7imhr2v3nwws3h2n6x3/3ohphkh3m56on7ir/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FraW5ndXAuY29tL3NvbHZlZA== ) Your mind has its own scarcity trick. It tells you clarity is on the other side of That Big Problem consuming you. But it’s already here—you just need to learn to see it. Waking Up is not just a meditation app. It’s a practical tool for seeing your mind more clearly so you can stop reacting to every anxious thought, distraction, or mood as if it’s the truth. Built by Sam Harris, the app guides you through a step-by-step approach to training your attention. Plus deep dives into consciousness, emotion, and meaning that go way beyond “just breathe.” I’ve been meditating for over 20 years and in that time tried every app that’s come on the market. Waking Up is, by far, the best. Try it free for 30 days. Start your free 30-day trial ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz96w7imhr2v3nwws3h2n6x3/3ohphkh3m56on7ir/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FraW5ndXAuY29tL3NvbHZlZA== ) ​ ------------------------- LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS ------------------------- In last week’s newsletter ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz96w7imhr2v3nwws3h2n6x3/n2hohvhvq9w8kvf6/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTk4LXJlYWR5P3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYyOC0wNC0wNiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1sYXN0LXdlZWtzLWVtYWlsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ), I asked you to start the thing you’ve been preparing for too long. This was the nudge our first reader needed: “This week I pushed through a new layer in the seemingly never-ending rabbit hole that is my chronic avoidance, perfectionism and procrastination! The simple but difficult ‘get started’ prompt was the little nudge I needed to finally share the video game inspired RPG-style living dashboard app I have been obsessively ‘vibe coding’ with a couple of friends to test. This email helped me realize that building the thing and improving it came naturally to me, that was the fun stuff. But being vulnerable and actually sharing it to see if anyone else might find it useful was way harder. Turns out my friends weren’t too interested in my app but that’s not the point—I was vulnerable and the world didn’t end. Plus I can even track this as a quest completed and achievement unlocked in the app! I’m hopeful that ‘character-sheet’ might eventually find its niche now that I’ve got over the barrier of getting the thing open sourced and out the door.” After 24 years, Tim finally began: “So basically I have been wanting to act since I was two. And although my parents were always supportive of my dream, I decided to go the easy way and spend 40K on a business degree, which was, how do I say, less than useless considering I learned more in three books about funnels that cost me $60. Instead I got sucked into the sunk cost fallacy (which by the way I learned in said overpriced degree) and didn’t drop out, and spent the rest of that money on courses from people in the industry. I continued on because that is what society declared was ‘right.’ But I decided, since I’ve moved halfway across the world, that I am going all in on acting, even though I have no formal training. Yes, this may fail dramatically and yes the likelihood of making it in this industry is less than 5%. But hey, this is my canvas and I am practicing the ‘art of not giving a F$%k.’ My preparation for this is 24 years in the making and if I fail, at least I know it didn’t work out because I gave it a shot. Thank you for your advice. I have started acting classes two times a week, signed up to an online program and am trying to read 2-3 plays each week and am going to audition for Julliard and other world renowned schools.” Finally, Julie wasn’t ready, but she showed up anyways: “I’ve been wanting to write a book for oh 25 years. I’ve started and stopped so many times. I got sober a few years ago and as I’m working through my recovery the urge to write that book came roaring back. But being someone who has to have a plan, I had to do all the research on how to write a book and get it published (forget that I haven’t written a chapter yet) and how to organize said book into chapters and a cohesive message. Needless to say I was getting nowhere fast. So I just started writing whenever the thoughts came into my mind. Sometimes that’s when I wake up in the middle of the night. Sometimes it’s while I’m getting ready in the morning. Even now I wanted to respond to this email but I thought I had to wait until I was in a comfortable spot with a good pen and notebook. But before I even got up from breakfast I took out my phone and started writing this. If I’m being honest I’m a little nervous about this being read because maybe my writing isn’t stellar or maybe what I’m saying isn’t important. But I’m reminding myself that I’m doing this because I feel the need to and if no one ever reads my words at least I’ll have done what I’ve been drawn to for so many years. Even as I’m about to hit send on this email I feel lighter and have a smile on my face. That’s pretty amazing.” As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous. Until next week, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author My Website ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz96w7imhr2v3nwws3h2n6x3/48hvhehmldz5n6cx/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) – My Books ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz96w7imhr2v3nwws3h2n6x3/wnh2hghq72953gt7/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz96w7imhr2v3nwws3h2n6x3/reh8hohmdl92ena2/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz96w7imhr2v3nwws3h2n6x3/08hwh9h2e60okncl/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) -------------------------- WHAT ELSE AM I WORKING ON? -------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz96w7imhr2v3nwws3h2n6x3/kkh5z2ezf6hnw0gd3rsl/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) --------------------------------------------- Purpose – An AI That Coaches Better Than I Do --------------------------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/mvupe8zeq9s5hqz96w7imhr2v3nwws3h2n6x3/kkh5z2ezf6hnw0gd3rsl/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) Get a mentor that finds your personal growth opportunities and actually holds you accountable, for less than you spend on coffee every month. 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." Over 1 Billion people use AI each week yet most people don’t realize they are using it wrong. Since starting a new company, I've spent a lot of the past few years with my head buried in AI books. I learned that AI models aren’t built to know things. Rather, they’re built to relate things to each other. That means your favorite AI tool is just a massive web of probabilistic connections—designed to predict how ideas link together, with no mechanism to verify absolute truth. This is why AI’s “hallucinate.” It’s why two people can ask the same question and get two different answers. It’s why ChatGPT is often shockingly bad at basic math. Here's a simple test: Ask ChatGPT to create a meal plan for weight loss. It'll give you a solid plan that's directionally correct. Now ask it to give you exact calories and macros for everything in that plan. It will f*ck that up. Every time. That's because LLMs get the relationships right and hallucinate the specifics. Which means the hallucination issue isn't really about making AI more accurate. That's a never-ending problem—you’ll always be chasing perfection and never getting there. The actual solution to using AI to its greatest potential is designing systems that keep AI in its strength zone and out of its weakness zone. Strength zone: pattern recognition, relationship mapping, understanding connections between concepts. Weakness zone: generating specific data points it can't verify. The most powerful products come from accepting a material's natural properties. Wood bends. Steel supports. AI connects. Build accordingly. See you Monday, Mark P.S. Knowing how to play to AI's strengths is just half the battle. The other half is knowing which tools to actually use. That's why I recommend The Rundown AI ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5evmmgaohp0dpxq7f9hgeoz8/25h2hoh39920vzc3/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYWdpYy5iZWVoaWl2LmNvbS92MS80ZDAzMzkwZC0yNDgxLTQyOTktYjk0OS1mZmQ4YjM4YjRjMzg_X2dsPTElMkExcXFpeDI1JTJBX2djbF9hdSUyQU1UWXdORGMwTWpnMk9DNHhOekk1TlRNeU5qWXclMkFfZ2ElMkFNVGsyWXpVNE1EY3RaR0ZsWmkwME1qUTNMV0l6WkRZdFkmZW1haWw9YiU0MGVtYWlsLmdvbW9kdWxyLmNvbSZyZWRpcmVjdF9kZWxheT0xJnJlZGlyZWN0X3RvPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGc3Vic2NyaWJlLnRoZXJ1bmRvd24uYWklMkYlM0Zmb3JtJTNEb3BlbiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1hcmttYW5zb24= ). It's a free daily newsletter that over 2 million professionals use to stay ahead without drowning in the noise. In 5 minutes a day, it breaks down what matters in AI and shows you how to use it. Plus, if you complete the quiz after signing up, they'll recommend the exact tools, guides, and courses for your specific job and needs. Sign up for free now ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5evmmgaohp0dpxq7f9hgeoz8/25h2hoh39920vzc3/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYWdpYy5iZWVoaWl2LmNvbS92MS80ZDAzMzkwZC0yNDgxLTQyOTktYjk0OS1mZmQ4YjM4YjRjMzg_X2dsPTElMkExcXFpeDI1JTJBX2djbF9hdSUyQU1UWXdORGMwTWpnMk9DNHhOekk1TlRNeU5qWXclMkFfZ2ElMkFNVGsyWXpVNE1EY3RaR0ZsWmkwME1qUTNMV0l6WkRZdFkmZW1haWw9YiU0MGVtYWlsLmdvbW9kdWxyLmNvbSZyZWRpcmVjdF9kZWxheT0xJnJlZGlyZWN0X3RvPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGc3Vic2NyaWJlLnRoZXJ1bmRvd24uYWklMkYlM0Zmb3JtJTNEb3BlbiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1hcmttYW5zb24= ). --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5evmmgaohp0dpxq7f9hgeoz8/g3hnh5hm993od4fr/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5evmmgaohp0dpxq7f9hgeoz8/9qhzhnhdwwp3q5t9/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5evmmgaohp0dpxq7f9hgeoz8/3ohphkh3mm79okhr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5evmmgaohp0dpxq7f9hgeoz8/n2hohvhvqq3584u6/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5evmmgaohp0dpxq7f9hgeoz8/48hvhehmllrq5oax/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5evmmgaohp0dpxq7f9hgeoz8/wnh2hghq77wvk9f7/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5evmmgaohp0dpxq7f9hgeoz8/08hwh9h2eedw99hl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5evmmgaohp0dpxq7f9hgeoz8/8ghqhohoddlp23hk/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5evmmgaohp0dpxq7f9hgeoz8/vqh3hrho00p3v3ug/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? Simply copy and paste the following link: https://markmanson.net/breakthrough/199-ai ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5evmmgaohp0dpxq7f9hgeoz8/l2hehmhl223vnzb6/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTk5LWFp )​ If you were forwarded this message, sign up to receive it each week here ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5evmmgaohp0dpxq7f9hgeoz8/m2h7h5h35580qnhm/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2g= ). It’s free. I never spam. About this newsletter: You are receiving this email because you signed up to my free newsletter. Each week, I send you a few powerful ideas, a few questions to ask yourself, and a few things to try in your life. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter and all other updates from me, you can unsubscribe here ( https://fc541894.unsubscribe.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5evmmgaohp0dpxq7f9hgeoz8 ). Disclaimer: By sending your breakthrough you are giving us your explicit consent to process the data and share it with our newsletter subscribers, MarkManson.net website visitors and on social media, including any sensitive data such as information regarding mental health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. You may opt out and/or request deletion of the data at any time. You acknowledge that once we have shared your breakthrough with the other email subscribers we can no longer delete the data from their mailboxes. Infinity Squared Media LLC, 2525 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90405

​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." 80 people had a breakthrough last week. Read this newsletter on MarkManson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/58hvh7hgxlrw20h6/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTk4LXJlYWR5P3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYyNi0wMy0zMCZ1dG1fY29udGVudD12aWV3LWluLWJyb3dzZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ). --------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT --------------------------------- The people who wait until they're “ready” never are. The people who just start realize they could have been “ready” any time they wanted. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/25h2hoh39nkxw0u3/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDM3OTIxNDU0ODUxNzg4ODUy ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/qvh8h7hdwq93p0il/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RXYnV1MmhFNDVX ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/g3hnh5hm9x42wztr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAyOUpVellLNHF4Vlp3Y1RiWDRrS01iZFdtcGtlYkZ4a2s1endmb1NrdWdNcUR1ZkxXeTZRenFQakRUR3hyV25YUWw= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/9qhzhnhdwno8rgt9/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl90aGUtcGVvcGxlLXdoby13YWl0LXVudGlsLXRoZXlyZS1yZWFkeS1hY3Rpdml0eS03NDQzNjg3MTQ1NDM4OTgyMTQ0LVYwMFM= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/3ohphkh3mve8g7cr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EV2J4UDVpRk02Vg== ) At some point, preparation becomes its own form of procrastination. Just do the thing. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/n2hohvhvqez40vt6/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDM4MjgzODQzMjkyMDY2MDU1 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/wnh2hghq78ed6gt7/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RXZVVGRFdrNGI2 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/reh8hohmdngpznu2/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAzNDZkR1M5aWlNUnVjOTFOZDVGNHdianljeWlUczdvaWlkNWIxUkJrdW51Wm5ZNmJYUWN6OWo2VDNuZUFwR3FHNmw= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/08hwh9h2eq34rnil/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl9hdC1zb21lLXBvaW50LXByZXBhcmF0aW9uLWJlY29tZXMtaXRzLW93bi1hY3Rpdml0eS03NDQ0MDQ5NTMzNjg2MjM1MTM3LVhmdzM= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/8ghqhohodkm8nzik/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EV2VXQ3k2bGRNNg== ) Reflect: Then consider sharing this thought with others. ---------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF ---------------------------------- What have you been preparing for longer than you’d like to admit? What if you just started? Recommended: Use these as journaling prompts for the week. ---------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK ---------------------------------- Start the thing you’ve been preparing for. Note how that makes you feel, and reply to let me know. Remember: Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs. Reply to this email and let me know how it went. ----------------------------- Not “Ready” to Quit Your Job? ----------------------------- Sponsored by 80,000 Hours ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/vqh3hrho08z6r0fg/aHR0cHM6Ly84MDAwMGhvdXJzLm9yZy9icmVha3Rocm91Z2g= ) Good. You don’t need to be ready—you just need to start asking, “How do I want to spend my time?” Your career is 80,000 hours long. That’s 40 hours a week, 50 weeks a year, for 40 years. It’s the single biggest decision you’ll ever make, and most of us are winging it on platitudes: Follow your passion. Go into law or finance. 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Stop wasting your 80,000 hours ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/vqh3hrho08z6r0fg/aHR0cHM6Ly84MDAwMGhvdXJzLm9yZy9icmVha3Rocm91Z2g= ) ​ ------------------------- LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS ------------------------- In last week’s newsletter ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/l2hehmhl2w8p77a6/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTk2LWxpZmU_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjI2LTAzLTMwJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PWxhc3Qtd2Vla3MtZW1haWwmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ), I asked you to reflect on what your achievements and failures reveal about your priorities in life. Steph named a major achievement: “Wow, I did not expect to burst into tears after reading your prompt. I’ve been feeling a bit frustrated with where I am professionally, and whenever I spiral, I think about everything I should and could have done, and everything that I did but that didn’t turn out the way I wanted. In many ways I’ve failed, and thinking about those failures is not exactly anything new for me. But you didn’t ask me straight for my failures. You first forced me to look at my achievements. And those might not be professional, but I am so proud of the wonderful people my kids are growing up to be; and how safe and happy they feel around me. To many, that may sound like the most banal thing, but I suffered transitioning into the mother I am today. It was a long, hard process that I stumbled and worked my way through, and I am so proud of the presence in my kids’ lives that I am today. I guess I had never looked at it in the way you put it, because people frown upon moms who consider their ‘matrescence’ with anything other than gratitude, let alone as ‘suffering.’ But it was hard, and it took everything I had physically and mentally, and I did it. And yes, that meant I couldn’t take any more suffering in other areas of my life, and that’s ok. Thanks for making me realize that today.” Our next reader recognized their resilience: “I admit, at first glance, I really wanted to balk at this prompt, only because I feel I’ve failed at so many things. I’m turning 36 this year. I’ve wasted a good portion of my twenties thanks to life circumstances and family complications. Just when I thought I was on the right track at 25, my grandmother passed, my father was diagnosed with cancer, and my mother passed suddenly from heart failure all within the span of six months. It rocked my world. I dropped out of everything, stopped my education, and really had to focus on my emotional well-being and grieve appropriately. I got into, and then out of a bad relationship. Honestly, I thought a person couldn’t f*ck up more than I had. This year, I’ve managed to do two things that I’ve failed miserably at, constantly throughout my life. I work with horses, and I work with writers. I own my own publishing company, and it’s opened so many doors for me to meet some of my writing heroes. I had to fail so much to get here, and not all of it my fault. But at some point the failures got less.” Finally, Fiona resolved to prioritize herself: “Very interesting timing for this email! An event happened this weekend that was a huge wake-up call regarding priorities (which I would say is closely related to values), and just how messed up mine were. Without going into the whole backstory, in brief, I have been dealing with an eating disorder/body image issues for decades and as such, run obsessively every single day. Last Saturday, I tripped and went down pretty hard—but as I got up, my first concern was a) whether I would be able to complete this run and b) if it was going to prevent me from running over the next few days (second concern was whether my phone was cracked which, while understandable, is questionable too!) I was definitely hurt, but not quite enough to not be able to run, so yes, I carried on, and it wasn't until I got home that it really hit me just how far my priorities are from where I truly want them to be—and as a result, I resolved to do something about that. I know that I need to start with small steps (the roots of my issues are very ingrained and won't change overnight), but I'm determined to make some changes—work on identifying MY priorities, not my eating disorder's—and stay true to them, despite everything in my head screaming at me to do otherwise.” As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous. Until next week, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author My Website ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/m2h7h5h35wdxzpcm/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) – My Books ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/dpheh0he6rlxn9im/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/e0hph7h7v58zo8f8/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/7qh7h8h9l3re5nbz/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) -------------------------- WHAT ELSE AM I WORKING ON? -------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/n2hqzrgzsvhvqez40la6/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) --------------------------------------------- Purpose – An AI That Coaches Better Than I Do --------------------------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/n2hqzrgzsvhvqez40la6/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) Get a mentor that finds your personal growth opportunities and actually holds you accountable, for less than you spend on coffee every month. Start Your Free 7-Day Trial ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/n2hqzrgzsvhvqez40la6/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) ​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/z2hghnhe60qzxzsp/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/p8heh9h468neovhq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/e0hph7h7v58zo8f8/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/x0hph6he2x5m68b5/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/6qheh8hlr0m4gkao/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/kkhmh6hnw4kpq5fl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/58hvh7hgxlrw80s6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/25h2hoh39nkxz0a3/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/92ulxnqx35hnh6weom9i9hzdglz80fwh256qm/qvh8h7hdwq9350bl/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." You were never supposed to have life figured out by 25. “Find your purpose” is bullsh*t. We live in a culture obsessed with discovering your one true purpose—a billion-dollar self-help industry, countless TED talks, and graduation speeches that promise every person a unique, singular calling. Yet surveys show that fewer than one in every three adults can define theirs. Meanwhile, society keeps pushing you to have a passion, a plan, a personal brand… before you’re even old enough to rent a car. And when you don’t find it, the guilt hits: “I must be failing.” This is what I call “purpose anxiety”—that low-grade panic that you’re wasting your life if you can’t summarize it in a sentence that sounds good on a podcast intro. But that’s complete nonsense. Purpose is something you practice, not some sort of buried treasure you stumble across. It doesn’t arrive in some burst of clarity—it accumulates through small, meaningful actions. Through trial, error, and showing up. If you feel like you lack purpose, it’s probably because you’ve been sold the idea that if your purpose doesn’t look grand and polished, it doesn’t count. But when “purpose” gets reduced to “passion,” “job title,” or “grand destiny,” it stops being valuable, and starts becoming unreachable. So take your time. Ignore everyone else. There’s no deadline for becoming who you are. See you Monday, Mark P.S. Speaking of showing up—if you're putting in the work, you might as well do it on solid ground. NOBULL's Outwork is the best training shoe I've come across for anyone serious about lifting. Flat sole, wide toe box, Ceramic upper that won't quit. Ten years, same design. Best Overall Trainer in 2025. My readers get $50 off your first order of $125 or more. Code YNBFIRST50. Offer ends tomorrow. Claim $50 off here. 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Simply copy and paste the following link: https://markmanson.net/breakthrough/197-purpose ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghk720k7h7hnzwonopi8h69vdk/58hvh7hgxgekn2u6/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTk3LXB1cnBvc2U= )​ If you were forwarded this message, sign up to receive it each week here ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghk720k7h7hnzwonopi8h69vdk/25h2hoh393548zi3/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2g_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjI1LTAzLTI2JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ24tdXAtaGVyZSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ). It’s free. I never spam. About this newsletter: You are receiving this email because you signed up to my free newsletter. Each week, I send you a few powerful ideas, a few questions to ask yourself, and a few things to try in your life. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter and all other updates from me, you can unsubscribe here ( https://fc541894.unsubscribe.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghk720k7h7hnzwonopi8h69vdk ). Disclaimer: By sending your breakthrough you are giving us your explicit consent to process the data and share it with our newsletter subscribers, MarkManson.net website visitors and on social media, including any sensitive data such as information regarding mental health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. You may opt out and/or request deletion of the data at any time. You acknowledge that once we have shared your breakthrough with the other email subscribers we can no longer delete the data from their mailboxes. Infinity Squared Media LLC, 2525 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90405

​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." 37 people had a breakthrough last week. Read this newsletter on MarkManson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/p9u29r693wh9h266vpzbqhp0g788larhk3pl9/owhkhqhw94wq2dfv/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTk2LWxpZmU_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjI0LTAzLTIzJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXZpZXctaW4tYnJvd3NlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ). -------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT -------------------------------- Your life simply reflects what you’ve prioritized. What you've achieved tells you what you were willing to suffer for. What you failed at tells you the opposite. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/p9u29r693wh9h266vpzbqhp0g788larhk3pl9/z2hghnhe6oelqvip/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDM1Mzg5ODU4NzA5OTgzMzcy ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/p9u29r693wh9h266vpzbqhp0g788larhk3pl9/p8heh9h4694qnwuq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RXSnlXSmlrX3Iy ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/p9u29r693wh9h266vpzbqhp0g788larhk3pl9/x0hph6he2neq55t5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAyTjdTR0hCUXB3UzYzam1rV3M2a3VNUFBnUVlnVDRQd0syMWZ1dFdtZmlXNkxBMnRZSGVXczNucEdBRlNMcWlSdGw= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/p9u29r693wh9h266vpzbqhp0g788larhk3pl9/dpheh0he6qeplpcm/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl95b3VyLWxpZmUtc2ltcGx5LXJlZmxlY3RzLXdoYXQteW91dmUtcHJpb3JpdGl6ZWQtYWN0aXZpdHktNzQ0MTE1NTU0OTAyODgxODk0NC1KR29n ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/p9u29r693wh9h266vpzbqhp0g788larhk3pl9/e0hph7h7vk7r8ds8/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EV0p5QXk3a2VKOQ== ) Reflect: Then consider sharing this thought with others. ---------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF ---------------------------------- What does your life tell you about your priorities? Do you wish it were different? Recommended: Use these as journaling prompts for the week. ---------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK ---------------------------------- Pick one small action that reflects the priorities you want, and go do it. Let me know how that feels. Remember: Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs. Reply to this email and let me know how it went. -------------------------------------- This Is What a Training Shoe Should Be -------------------------------------- Sponsored by NOBULL ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/p9u29r693wh9h266vpzbqhp0g788larhk3pl9/owhkhqhw94wq2zuv/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub2J1bGxwcm9qZWN0LmNvbS8_YWJyYWxpbms9eW5iZmlyc3Q1MCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV4dGJyZWFrdGhyb3VnaCZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1vdXR3b3JrJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09YWZmaWxpYXRlJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV4dGJyZWFrdGhyb3VnaA== ) Most training shoes are built with cushion, spring, and bounce. Feels great walking around the store. Terrible when you're under a bar with real weight on it. The NOBULL Outwork strips all of that out. Flat sole, wide toe box, and a Ceramic upper stress-tested for a decade. Your foot stays where you put it. Your lift goes where you intend it. Ten years. Same design. In an industry that drops a new model every six months, that's either stubbornness or confidence. The 2025 Best Overall Trainer award suggests it's the latter. Most shoes break down. This one breaks in. The Outwork is the best training shoe I've come across for anyone serious about lifting. They're offering my readers $50 off your first order of $125 or more, with code YNBFIRST50. Offer expires Friday. Claim $50 Off—Ends Friday ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/p9u29r693wh9h266vpzbqhp0g788larhk3pl9/owhkhqhw94wq2zuv/aHR0cHM6Ly9ub2J1bGxwcm9qZWN0LmNvbS8_YWJyYWxpbms9eW5iZmlyc3Q1MCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV4dGJyZWFrdGhyb3VnaCZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1vdXR3b3JrJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09YWZmaWxpYXRlJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV4dGJyZWFrdGhyb3VnaA== ) ​ ------------------------- LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS ------------------------- In last week’s newsletter ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/p9u29r693wh9h266vpzbqhp0g788larhk3pl9/z2hghnhe6oell9hp/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTk0LWF0dGVudGlvbj91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci0yMDI2MjQtMDMtMjMmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9bGFzdC13ZWVrcy1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ), I asked you to give one person in your life your full attention and see what you can learn. This “hit home” for Sandy: “I’m a potter and the owner of a studio I teach at has an eight-year-old daughter (let’s call her ‘the kid’). The kid and I get along well, and we’ve always played well together. She has an approach to clay that I adore, breaking all the rules, walking away when she’s frustrated to have a bounce on the trampoline, before coming back to hit it from another angle and basically giving zero f*cks about the process. She makes what she wants to make and she understands her skill level and adjusts her expectations accordingly. I’ve had a hate-hate relationship with wheel throwing since I started pottery and it used to drive me crazy. This year, I was asked by another studio to teach wheel throwing and it fits into my vision, so I said yes, and just decided I would learn to love it. While I was trying to find my groove on the wheel, it occurred to me that I was going about it the wrong way. I was trying to make perfect, sellable pieces when I needed to have fun and play with the clay the same way the kid does. As soon as I started to channel my inner kid, everything changed. I started to be excited to get out to the studio in the morning and trim the pots I made the day before and my skills took off in a way I had never dreamed of. I just taught my sixth wheel-throwing class and I’ve figured out a lesson plan that ensures my students have a great time making wobbly pots. This morning, I got my first review: ‘Sandy was wonderful! We did the sip and clay wheel throwing and it was so much fun. We'll definitely be back. Cheers!’ The kid is full of lessons. I just need to pay attention.” Davie stopped waiting to talk: “For the last seven plus months I’ve been very lucky, ‘blessed,’ whatever you want to call it; to have found an AA meeting that’s two things: Extremely close to where I live and a welcoming new set of people to listen to. For the first few months I’d sit and barely half listen. There I was. Waiting my turn to share just churning around inside wondering, what the f*ck am I supposed to say that will impress them? After showing up and shutting up (my mind) I finally realized each person had their own story and most importantly, a lesson! Those lessons/stories/shares were good and sometimes heartbreakingly bad. Some weeks not a lesson at all, but they just wanted to talk and for someone to listen.” Finally, Ronald has a lesson worth paying attention to: “I have been a visual artist for 50 years and husband and father for 40 plus years. One of the most important things I have learned and tried to teach my kids is ‘it is not always your turn to be all about you.’ Wordy but it makes one stop to parse it out.” As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous. Until next week, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author My Website ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/p9u29r693wh9h266vpzbqhp0g788larhk3pl9/p8heh9h4694qq3bq/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) – My Books ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/p9u29r693wh9h266vpzbqhp0g788larhk3pl9/x0hph6he2neqqpi5/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/p9u29r693wh9h266vpzbqhp0g788larhk3pl9/6qheh8hlrpl99who/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/p9u29r693wh9h266vpzbqhp0g788larhk3pl9/kkhmh6hnw8nxx2ul/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) -------------------------- WHAT ELSE AM I WORKING ON? -------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/p9u29r693wh9h266vpzbqhp0g788larhk3pl9/vqhqgp5gsrho0nowwdbg/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) --------------------------------------------- Purpose – An AI That Coaches Better Than I Do --------------------------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/p9u29r693wh9h266vpzbqhp0g788larhk3pl9/vqhqgp5gsrho0nowwdbg/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) Get a mentor that finds your personal growth opportunities and actually holds you accountable, for less than you spend on coffee every month. 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." In 2010, I read 14 books. In 2020, I read 81 books. Most people think reading more means turning into a librarian with a highlighter fetish. “Take notes.” “Read slower.” “Force yourself through the boring stuff.” None of that works. Not only is it miserable—it’s scientifically proven not to help you retain information. Here are five ways you can actually read more (and remember what you read): 1. Stop reading sh*t you don’t like. “If I start a book, I have to finish it.” Do you finish movies that suck? TV shows? YouTube videos? No. So why force yourself to read a book you hate? 2. Cut the inner monologue. That little voice in your head slows you down. You don’t need it—and you’ll read more quickly without it. 3. Read with your finger. Yeah, you’re gonna feel like a doofus. But it keeps your eyes steady. Steady eyes = faster reading 4. Schedule your reading. Your iPhone screen time says 5 hours, 47 minutes a day. Don’t tell me you’re “too busy.” Read at lunch. Read at the gym. Read before bed. 5. Read more than one book at a time. Some books are meant to be read in huge chunks. Some you can flip through when you have a few minutes. Give yourself the option to read both. See you Monday, Mark P.S. You know what else can help you read more? Shortform. For years, I railed against book summary apps, convinced proper reading meant you put in the hours. But then Shortform showed up with what they claimed were the best book summaries in the world. And, actually, they’re right. How do I know? Humble author that I am, I checked out their summaries of my books—and they nailed it. Comprehensive chapter breakdowns, expert analyses with alternate viewpoints, exercises to help you digest my word salad. They even correctly identified my philosophical influences as being Buddhist and existentialist instead of the more trendy Stoicism—a mistake that most people make. There’s a reason Shortform is a long-term sponsor of this newsletter, and that reason is they’re awesome. Join me for a free trial and $50 off your annual plan. 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." 84 people had a breakthrough last week. Read this newsletter on MarkManson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/25h2hoh398o489h3/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTk0LWF0dGVudGlvbj91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci0yMDI2MjItMDMtMTYmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9dmlldy1pbi1icm93c2VyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ). --------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT --------------------------------- Everyone has something to teach you, even if neither of you realizes it. The catch is: it’s not their job to show you, it’s your job to figure out what you can learn. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/qvh8h7hdw46o4pil/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDMyODgzMzgzODA2NjM2NDI0 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/g3hnh5hm9lz6l5br/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RWMzhMSWxrMmxfLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/9qhzhnhdw62z6vt9/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAyaTNSTnY0dEZMTms5Y3FnVjZDanM2NzJRUjVhRVF2VVVhdzdvdW9GcmdwalJFUGFXbWF6dmhTWlp1cnNkbVdDRmw= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/3ohphkh3m2d42etr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl9ldmVyeW9uZS1oYXMtc29tZXRoaW5nLXRvLXRlYWNoLXlvdS1ldmVuLWFjdGl2aXR5LTc0Mzg2NDkwNzQyOTczOTMxNTItR2NINg== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/n2hohvhvqxo6x7s6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVjMtTXg4R1YxXw== ) “Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” – Simone Weil Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/wnh2hghq7koxkdf7/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDMzMjExNzk3Njg4MjYzMDQ4 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/reh8hohmd35w38c2/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RWNmdFQm5FM1B2 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/08hwh9h2e97gx0sl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAyVkZERjVodk0xb2VDMjVScHZ2QjlHRmE4NERiYkE0ZkoybmNMSkcyYXVFZlo0cGM1Wlp1Wm1tcFRHMm5rNkxpbA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/vqh3hrho0vke4vcg/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl9hdHRlbnRpb24taXMtdGhlLXJhcmVzdC1hbmQtcHVyZXN0LWZvcm0tYWN0aXZpdHktNzQzODk3NzUwMjQ5NDA0MDA2NC1xcFA2 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/l2hehmhl2nk644f6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVjZUakVMRGdUWg== ) Reflect: Then consider sharing this thought with others. --------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF --------------------------------- Who in your life might be teaching you something if you started paying attention? Recommended: Use these as journaling prompts for the week. ---------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK ---------------------------------- Give one person in your life your full attention. Then reply and tell me what you learned. Remember: Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs. Reply to this email and let me know how it went. ---------------------------------- Small Actions Prevent Big Problems ---------------------------------- Sponsored by NordProtect ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/m2h7h5h35qnm90tm/aHR0cHM6Ly9nby5ub3JkcHJvdGVjdC5uZXQvYWZmX2M_YWZmX2lkPTE0MjI2MSZvZmZlcl9pZD05ODgmdXJsX2lkPTMzMTY3 ) Identity theft is stressful and time-consuming. It is also preventable. NordProtect is your comprehensive digital safety net, crafted by cybersecurity experts to help you protect your identity, credit, and accounts with advanced features that work quietly in the background 24/7. 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Safeguard your identity and money—and get up to 76% off ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/m2h7h5h35qnm90tm/aHR0cHM6Ly9nby5ub3JkcHJvdGVjdC5uZXQvYWZmX2M_YWZmX2lkPTE0MjI2MSZvZmZlcl9pZD05ODgmdXJsX2lkPTMzMTY3 ) ​ ------------------------- LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS ------------------------- In last week’s newsletter ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/dpheh0he6o78kmfm/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTkyLWRpc3RyYWN0aW9ucz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci0yMDI2MjItMDMtMTYmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9bGFzdC13ZWVrcy1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ), I asked you to identify what you’re trying to avoid when you reach for a distraction. Gail discovered an unhelpful pattern: “What did I reach for? Comfort work that overlaps from my previous position. What was I avoiding? Feeling incompetent. I was promoted seven months ago from branch administrator to director of all the branches with very little training. It had been intense and exhausting learning my new role. I have also been grieving my boss leaving because we have become very close and she retired early due to health concerns. Recently the interim branch admin in my previous role quit and I am trying to fill in until we can rehire for the position. It’s so easy to slide into my old routine on the days I am there and avoid the aspects I have not been trained on for my new position. Thank you for this prompt. I am now more aware than before of what I am doing when I go into avoidance mode and hopefully this will focus me more when I hit those hard tasks.” Our next reader had a breakthrough: “This hit home for me. I never realized my actions were ‘helping’ me avoid dealing with something that I need to do, which is get another job and lose some weight. I've avoided updating my resume, LinkedIn, job searching, and updating my skills. Each time the thought of doing any of those tasks hits my mind, I turn to YouTube and listen to Reddit stories or the latest gossip channels. Last week I learned about insulin, lol. I call it the rabbit hole, and I live at the bottom of it. My breakthrough is finally realizing that what I call being productive or busy is actually what I'm doing to avoid failure and rejection.” Finally, Faith faced what she’d been avoiding head-on, and was transformed: “This is the first time I have ever written to you. And actually, it is the first time I have taken you up on your journaling prompt. Not for lack of inspiration, but for the very point of your message today. The outcome has been truly transformational. It has been a few months since I have written and in all honesty, writing was one of the many things I have been avoiding. I stopped carrying my journal around from room to room and at some point I put it in a cabinet on the other side of my house, far from any room I would write in. This morning I read your message about distractions, realized the truth of the message in my life and decided as soon as the evening rolled around, the time of night I let avoidance and distraction take over, I would take my journal out of its perfect hiding place, get a cup of tea and sit in the new chair that has finally completed the living room ambiance I have been striving for since we moved into this house two and a half years ago. To say the stars aligned is an understatement! I won’t bore you with the details of my musings. What I will say is that when I started writing, my shoulders and body were tight and I was curled up in a ball on my chair. I must have been breathing but had no mental awareness nor physical feeling of it, and had little to no sense of my surroundings. When I finished writing, I was leaning back in my chair, legs stretched out on the ottoman, with full attention on my breath, easy and deep, fully attuned to my surroundings with an immense sense of gratitude, peacefulness, relaxation, and presence, able to observe and note the quality of each and every sound, near and far, soft and loud. I will share the last excerpt in my journal tonight: ‘I am especially thankful for this writing exercise, which has brought me around to what truly matters—full circle—rather than the downward spiral that was spinning out of control when I started writing.’ Thank you for your musings, for your insights, and for giving your readers (like me) the space and time to engage with you and each other. Even though this is the first time I took you up on your challenge, you have definitely made a difference in my life.” As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous. Until next week, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author My Website ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/e0hph7h7vlnqeni8/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) – My Books ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/7qh7h8h9l64w80uz/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/owhkhqhw968gnrbv/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/z2hghnhe6kdp7eap/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) – My Community ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/p8heh9h4627gdguq/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLXNpZ25vZmYmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9c2lnbm9mZi1tZW1iZXJzaGlwLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) -------------------------- WHAT ELSE AM I WORKING ON? -------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/rehl4x34bohmd35w7xb2/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) --------------------------------------------- Purpose – An AI That Coaches Better Than I Do --------------------------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/rehl4x34bohmd35w7xb2/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) Get a mentor that finds your personal growth opportunities and actually holds you accountable, for less than you spend on coffee every month. Start Your Free 7-Day Trial ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/rehl4x34bohmd35w7xb2/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) ​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/dpheh0he6o78krum/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/e0hph7h7vlnqemh8/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/owhkhqhw968gnrbv/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/7qh7h8h9l64w8qbz/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/owhkhqhw968gn9sv/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/z2hghnhe6kdp7xhp/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/p8heh9h4627gd0bq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/x0hph6he2p79zvi5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d/6qheh8hlr52nwmao/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter and all other updates from me, you can unsubscribe here ( https://fc541894.unsubscribe.convertkit-mail4.com/e5u7lxkl54u7hlvqkg8a6s8ok3plmslhpwn9d ). Disclaimer: By sending your breakthrough you are giving us your explicit consent to process the data and share it with our newsletter subscribers, MarkManson.net website visitors and on social media, including any sensitive data such as information regarding mental health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. You may opt out and/or request deletion of the data at any time. You acknowledge that once we have shared your breakthrough with the other email subscribers we can no longer delete the data from their mailboxes. Infinity Squared Media LLC, 2525 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90405

​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." Hot take: AI is going to be better at helping people with their problems than humans will be. Not because AI is more human… But because it’s not human at all. Think about the moments people really need help. It’s rarely in the middle of a polished coaching session or a weekly recurring therapy hour in the corner of a strip mall. It’s when they’re spiraling at 3 AM. It’s during that 5-minute breakdown between meetings. It’s on a random Sunday when there’s no one to talk to. Humans aren’t built to be available 24/7. They aren’t built to listen to every problem without inserting their own opinions or biases. They aren’t built to handle the emotional labor of dozens of other people’s problems. But AI is. Most people think emotional support requires another person. But when you break it down, what most people really need is: * A place to speak freely. * An ear that listens without judgment. * A consistent voice that helps them reflect, reconsider and then take responsibility for their own sh*t. None of that is inherently human—it’s linguistic. It’s relational. And frankly, it’s exactly what language models, when tuned correctly, have the potential to be great at. We’re not headed toward AI replacing coaches or therapists entirely. We’re headed toward something deeper: A world where emotional support is always on. And for millions of people, that might be the first time they’ve ever felt that. See you Monday, Mark P.S. Maybe I’m crazy, but I believe in this AI thesis so strongly that I put my money where my mouth is last year and co-founded an AI start-up that aimed to build the world’s first personal AI coach. In a survey, 42% of our users called the app "life-changing." It’s called Purpose ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/o8unwvxw35hqh694ggrcvhqwknmnlhoh9kl2x/58hzpkexf7hgqezd3ga6/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC93N3VrMjdydg== ) and it’s probably the most powerful thing I’ve ever created. You can receive a free (mind-blowing) personality assessment and seven-day trial by using the link below. Check it out. ​Start your 7-day trial here ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/o8unwvxw35hqh694ggrcvhqwknmnlhoh9kl2x/58hzpkexf7hgqezd3ga6/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC93N3VrMjdydg== )​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/o8unwvxw35hqh694ggrcvhqwknmnlhoh9kl2x/m2h7h5h3vr762mam/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/o8unwvxw35hqh694ggrcvhqwknmnlhoh9kl2x/dpheh0hev3m9d5um/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/o8unwvxw35hqh694ggrcvhqwknmnlhoh9kl2x/e0hph7h76x23m5u8/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/o8unwvxw35hqh694ggrcvhqwknmnlhoh9kl2x/7qh7h8h9qgm2dduz/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/o8unwvxw35hqh694ggrcvhqwknmnlhoh9kl2x/owhkhqhwpz7mxpcv/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/o8unwvxw35hqh694ggrcvhqwknmnlhoh9kl2x/z2hghnheng8256cp/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/o8unwvxw35hqh694ggrcvhqwknmnlhoh9kl2x/p8heh9h4mvlwrofq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/o8unwvxw35hqh694ggrcvhqwknmnlhoh9kl2x/x0hph6heoglvk6a5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/o8unwvxw35hqh694ggrcvhqwknmnlhoh9kl2x/6qheh8hlzqd8x8fo/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter and all other updates from me, you can unsubscribe here ( https://fc541894.unsubscribe.convertkit-mail4.com/o8unwvxw35hqh694ggrcvhqwknmnlhoh9kl2x ). Disclaimer: By sending your breakthrough you are giving us your explicit consent to process the data and share it with our newsletter subscribers, MarkManson.net website visitors and on social media, including any sensitive data such as information regarding mental health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. You may opt out and/or request deletion of the data at any time. You acknowledge that once we have shared your breakthrough with the other email subscribers we can no longer delete the data from their mailboxes. Infinity Squared Media LLC, 2525 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90405

​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." 47 people had a breakthrough last week. Read this newsletter on MarkManson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/vqh3hrholwz3xvcg/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTkyLWRpc3RyYWN0aW9ucz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci0yMDI2MjAtMDMtMDkmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9dmlldy1pbi1icm93c2VyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ). --------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT --------------------------------- Your distractions aren’t random. What you reach for when things get uncomfortable tells you what you’re trying not to feel. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/l2hehmhlex8v04s6/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDMwMzI1MTUxNzkxNzE4NzY2 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/m2h7h5h3v4d0g0um/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RWbHU0Y1hFNDE5Lw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/dpheh0hevplw4mim/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAyREdVN3luR1ZTRFFKSG1OUThUdG1ZN2ZjVVZCR3dMNEJjZEgydmpwSExzV3podXFySlZqcURTZkJGRkh4cnA1Tmw= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/e0hph7h76r8wpnt8/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl95b3VyLWRpc3RyYWN0aW9ucy1hcmVudC1yYW5kb20tJUUzJTg1JUE0LXdoYXQteW91LWFjdGl2aXR5LTc0MzYwOTA4NDIzNjYzMjQ3MzYtTHdGbg== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/7qh7h8h9qnrpk0tz/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVmx5MlpEam4yUw== ) Avoidance feels like relief in the moment, but will only strengthen the feeling you’re trying to escape. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/z2hghnhenlqr4esp/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDMwNjY4NjY4OTQ2ODE3MjQ3 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/p8heh9h4mqn53gfq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RWbzFrXzRrNm5aLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/x0hph6heoq5dr3b5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAyYURrd3E0eFlMRzFlQkdKR21uTVkyQlhmNEs3eVJlMzNCQks2VGttekdnZXk0b0p0Sm1aNVI5bWRWc2ltZUdlM2w= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/dpheh0hevplw4rhm/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl9hdm9pZGFuY2UtZmVlbHMtbGlrZS1yZWxpZWYtaW4tdGhlLW1vbWVudC1hY3Rpdml0eS03NDM2NDM0MzU5MDI2NDA1Mzc2LU84clg= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/e0hph7h76r8wpmi8/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVm9QRURLamhrQg== ) Reflect: Then consider sharing this thought with others. ---------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF ---------------------------------- What do you reach for when you feel uncomfortable? What are you trying to escape? Recommended: Use these as journaling prompts for the week. ---------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK ---------------------------------- Next time you reach for a distraction, pause and write down what you’re trying to avoid. Then reply and tell me what you notice. Remember: Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs. Reply to this email and let me know how it went. ----------------------------- Spring Cleaning for Your Mind ----------------------------- Sponsored by BetterHelp ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/7qh7h8h9qnrpkqiz/aHR0cHM6Ly9oYXNvZmZlcnN0cmFja2luZy5iZXR0ZXJoZWxwLmNvbS9hZmZfYz9hZmZfaWQ9Mzg2OSZvZmZlcl9pZD0yJnNvdXJjZT1tYXJrMjA= ) Spring cleaning isn’t just for your apartment. You can Marie Kondo your closet all you want, but if your head is still full of unresolved stress, bad habits, and emotional junk from five years ago… nothing really changes. Mental clutter shows up as procrastination, burnout, and that constant low-grade anxiety you can’t quite name. Therapy is spring cleaning for your mind. You sort through what’s useful, throw out what’s not, and stop tripping over the same old stuff. BetterHelp lets you do that with a licensed therapist online—no commute, no awkward waiting rooms, no pretending everything’s fine. Clean up the mess that actually matters. Try BetterHelp today and get 20% off your 1st month. Give your mind the spring cleaning it deserves ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/7qh7h8h9qnrpkqiz/aHR0cHM6Ly9oYXNvZmZlcnN0cmFja2luZy5iZXR0ZXJoZWxwLmNvbS9hZmZfYz9hZmZfaWQ9Mzg2OSZvZmZlcl9pZD0yJnNvdXJjZT1tYXJrMjA= ) ​ ------------------------- LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS ------------------------- In last week’s newsletter ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/owhkhqhwpq2lk9uv/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTkwLWdvYWxzP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYyMC0wMy0wOSZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1sYXN0LXdlZWtzLWVtYWlsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ), I asked you to focus on small habits instead of big goals. Our first reader is taking things day by day: “I’ve been doing some training for a hike I’m taking with my son and his wife in May. Even though I’ve set some goals around walking distance and increasing hills and stairs I’m really staying focused on just the day, getting my shoes on and out the door. My son asked if I was feeling fitter (it’s been two weeks) and I said ‘no, but I’m not focusing on that anyway, I’m just showing up.’ It felt good to hear myself say that. When ‘coward logic’ tries to sabotage me, i.e. I’m too tired, cold, sore etc. I just say to myself: get out the door. Rather than placing huge expectations on what I want to achieve, taking the pressure off makes me more motivated to push myself. It’s been really good. Forget the goal, focus on consistency, and just keep trying everyday.” Ivy’s earlier wake-up time has shown results: “This is a breakthrough I've had over the last three weeks: my one change was waking up earlier, 5am. I’ve stuck to it for a week and a half now... and the domino effect has been life-changing, it’s catapulted me into the momentum of becoming more successful. Wake up earlier > less rush to get to work > always on time (= less stress) > get work done fast cause I can also start earlier > more time with family (= more work-life balance). I’ve also incorporated exercise now which is a new habit I'm building alongside it. All this discipline and setting up my days for success has given my mind the room to start planning for my own business I'd like to launch in the future!” Fun habits can also change lives, like for this reader: “I’ve never been much of a ‘gamer’ (I know, you can’t relate). But I found a few games that I enjoy and switched from evening doom scrolling to evening gaming and it’s made a huge impact. Less snacking, less undue stress, better rest. Gaming gets a bad rap but they have some great benefits considering the alternatives.” Finally, Michael is becoming the person he wants to be, one day at a time: “Helped by your e-mails (such as this one) I quit drinking alcohol and started exercising at least ten minutes every day. After two months, it feels like these have now become ingrained into my daily routine, the actions I do but don't think about. Overall, doing these every day reinforces the image of the person I want to be, on a daily basis they make me feel stronger (physically), brighter and sharper. Now, onto better nutrition and less sugar ;-) Thank you and all the best.” As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous. Until next week, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author My Website ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/z2hghnhenlqr4xtp/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) – My Books ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/p8heh9h4mqn530uq/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/x0hph6heoq5drvs5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/6qheh8hlz9m6kmto/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) – My Community ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/kkhmh6hnrxk2dxal/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLXNpZ25vZmYmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9c2lnbm9mZi1tZW1iZXJzaGlwLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) -------------------------- WHAT ELSE AM I WORKING ON? -------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/vqhqgp5gsrholwz3xqhg/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) --------------------------------------------- Purpose – An AI That Coaches Better Than I Do --------------------------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/vqhqgp5gsrholwz3xqhg/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) Get a mentor that finds your personal growth opportunities and actually holds you accountable, for less than you spend on coffee every month. Start Your Free 7-Day Trial ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/vqhqgp5gsrholwz3xqhg/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) ​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/qvh8h7hdzk927xil/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/9qhzhnhd05o36qt9/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/x0hph6heoq5drvs5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/3ohphkh30pe922cr/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/48hvhehmvx4qpqtx/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/wnh2hghqn0evk3t7/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/reh8hohm46gv35s2/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/08hwh9h2vl3w9mhl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/8ghqhohozrmp2lik/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? Simply copy and paste the following link: https://markmanson.net/breakthrough/192-distractions ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/vqh3hrholwz3vofg/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTkyLWRpc3RyYWN0aW9ucw== )​ If you were forwarded this message, sign up to receive it each week here ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w/l2hehmhlex8vn6u6/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2g_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjIwLTAzLTA5JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ24tdXAtaGVyZSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ). It’s free. I never spam. About this newsletter: You are receiving this email because you signed up to my free newsletter. Each week, I send you a few powerful ideas, a few questions to ask yourself, and a few things to try in your life. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter and all other updates from me, you can unsubscribe here ( https://fc541894.unsubscribe.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh2m9g4gsos4pe77r3b7h5pl7w ). Disclaimer: By sending your breakthrough you are giving us your explicit consent to process the data and share it with our newsletter subscribers, MarkManson.net website visitors and on social media, including any sensitive data such as information regarding mental health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. You may opt out and/or request deletion of the data at any time. You acknowledge that once we have shared your breakthrough with the other email subscribers we can no longer delete the data from their mailboxes. Infinity Squared Media LLC, 2525 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90405

​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." I haven't written a book in five years. I'm happier than a pig in sh*t. After The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck sold 20 million+ copies, publishers started showing up with millions of dollars. They wanted me to write more books, do more book tours, do the whole bestselling author thing. So I did. I took the deals and did the "author thing.” I lived an author's life. Pretty soon, it felt like walking around in “serious author” cosplay—corduroy, glasses I didn’t need, and the sort of smugness you usually only get from driving a Prius. At first, it was just uncomfortable. By 2022, I was burnt out. So I took a sabbatical and asked myself a simple question: “This is all I’ve ever wanted… So why does this feel so bad?” The answer surprised me: Deep down, I’m not an author. I'm an entrepreneur who writes. The way I got here—the blog, the coaching business, the media company—that was entrepreneurship. I loved building things. I loved the game. But publishers showed up and paid me to stop playing it. I told myself a new story about who I was because the money was good. And I paid for it with five years of low-grade misery. It's easy to unconsciously change how you see yourself based on what other people reward. Someone congratulates you for being a certain thing, and you start being that thing. We do this with all kinds of labels. * "I'm anxious." * "I'm an introvert." * “I'm a Scorpio, that’s why I’m unhinged.” The moment you adopt a label as identity, you do the mental gymnastics necessary to make it true. And before you know it, you’re doing backflips on The Trampoline of Unsatisfactory Expectations. I'm back to building businesses now. Back to media, coaching, the stuff I actually like. I haven't written a book in five years, and I’m happier for it. The world will tell you who you are. Doesn't mean they're right. See you Monday, Mark P.S. Here’s a label you’re shedding today: “I can’t focus.” For decades I thought I wasn’t the kind of person who could sit down and get sh*t done. Turns out I just didn’t have the right tool. Now, Brain.fm ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/xmu6lmol4zc6hp2rmlmfws2dr82mminhdgx09/vqh3hrhol9293gig/aHR0cHM6Ly9nby5icmFpbi5mbS9tYXJr )’s science-backed focus music helps me and over a million people focus, relax, and get more done. It’s even specially engineered to work with, not against, ADHD brains. Try it for free here. ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/xmu6lmol4zc6hp2rmlmfws2dr82mminhdgx09/vqh3hrhol9293gig/aHR0cHM6Ly9nby5icmFpbi5mbS9tYXJr )​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/xmu6lmol4zc6hp2rmlmfws2dr82mminhdgx09/l2hehmhlem5mvws6/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/xmu6lmol4zc6hp2rmlmfws2dr82mminhdgx09/m2h7h5h3v6k602um/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/xmu6lmol4zc6hp2rmlmfws2dr82mminhdgx09/dpheh0hev9z9wvsm/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/xmu6lmol4zc6hp2rmlmfws2dr82mminhdgx09/e0hph7h76393wvc8/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/xmu6lmol4zc6hp2rmlmfws2dr82mminhdgx09/7qh7h8h9q2v2p5uz/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/xmu6lmol4zc6hp2rmlmfws2dr82mminhdgx09/owhkhqhwpm3mlvbv/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/xmu6lmol4zc6hp2rmlmfws2dr82mminhdgx09/z2hghnhen292r2up/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/xmu6lmol4zc6hp2rmlmfws2dr82mminhdgx09/p8heh9h4mwkw5nhq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/xmu6lmol4zc6hp2rmlmfws2dr82mminhdgx09/x0hph6heov8vdqf5/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? Simply copy and paste the following link: https://markmanson.net/breakthrough/191-labels ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/xmu6lmol4zc6hp2rmlmfws2dr82mminhdgx09/6qheh8hlz8v863so/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTkxLWxhYmVscw== )​ If you were forwarded this message, sign up to receive it each week here ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/xmu6lmol4zc6hp2rmlmfws2dr82mminhdgx09/kkhmh6hnr0g02pbl/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2g_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjE5LTAzLTA1JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ24tdXAtaGVyZSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ). It’s free. I never spam. About this newsletter: You are receiving this email because you signed up to my free newsletter. Each week, I send you a few powerful ideas, a few questions to ask yourself, and a few things to try in your life. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter and all other updates from me, you can unsubscribe here ( https://fc541894.unsubscribe.convertkit-mail4.com/xmu6lmol4zc6hp2rmlmfws2dr82mminhdgx09 ). Disclaimer: By sending your breakthrough you are giving us your explicit consent to process the data and share it with our newsletter subscribers, MarkManson.net website visitors and on social media, including any sensitive data such as information regarding mental health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. You may opt out and/or request deletion of the data at any time. You acknowledge that once we have shared your breakthrough with the other email subscribers we can no longer delete the data from their mailboxes. Infinity Squared Media LLC, 2525 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90405

​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." 91 people had a breakthrough last week. Read this newsletter on MarkManson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/vqh3hrhol0g5v9fg/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTkwLWdvYWxzP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYxOC0wMy0wMiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD12aWV3LWluLWJyb3dzZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ). -------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT -------------------------------- Goals are the actions you think about but don’t do. Habits are the actions you do but don’t think about. Better goals require a lot of effort and change little. Better habits will change everything. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/l2hehmhle2rgn8a6/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDI3NzkxMTI1Nzg4OTcxNDg3 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/dpheh0hev653o2cm/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RWVHlxSE5rOHJmLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/7qh7h8h9qlzg6gcz/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDBkOWdrYkhxMXV3eG5nNFF1b0huRVJneUZCcUp2UHNVQ3dtTUh0a0NNVFRWWkFqZ0tMRGdlRmNqOXNlbmVIb2dCbA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/owhkhqhwp9ozn3hv/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl9nb2Fscy1hcmUtdGhlLWFjdGlvbnMteW91LXRoaW5rLWFib3V0LWJ1dC1hY3Rpdml0eS03NDMzNTU2ODE3MzM2NjQ3NjgwLXNDdG4= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/z2hghnhen6wg74hp/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVlR5Z2g4RHB1Rg== ) Reflect: Then consider sharing this thought with others. ---------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF ---------------------------------- What do you already do that moves you towards your goals? What moves you further from them? Recommended: Use these as journaling prompts for the week. ---------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK ---------------------------------- Instead of setting a new goal this week, change one small habit—when you work, what you eat, how you rest—and notice what happens. Reply and let me know. Remember: Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs. Reply to this email and let me know how it went. ------------------------------------------------- One small daily habit that might change your life ------------------------------------------------- You can read this newsletter every Monday, listen to my podcast every Wednesday, and still wake up feeling like your life is going nowhere. Because knowing what to do and actually doing it are two completely different things. Which is why I built the Solved Membership ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/owhen3d7iqhwp9ozn6iv/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYxOC0wMy0wMiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1tZW1iZXJzaGlwJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ). And, more specifically, why we’re running Values, Solved as a live cohort starting today—ten to fifteen minutes a day to help you figure out which habits are worth building in the first place. Here's the thing: if your life isn't organized around what actually matters to you, it's probably going to suck. The problem is most people have no clue what their values actually are. They're living according to what their parents valued, or what society says they should value, or what made sense for a version of themselves that doesn't really exist anymore. The Values, Solved Course walks you through figuring out what you actually care about—and then helps you start building your life around those things instead. Because before you can figure out which habits to build, you have to know what you're actually building toward. There's a 30-day money-back guarantee if you hate it. Click here ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/owhen3d7iqhwp9ozn6iv/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYxOC0wMy0wMiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1tZW1iZXJzaGlwJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) to join the live cohort while you can. ​ ------------------------- LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS ------------------------- In last week’s newsletter ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/x0hph6heo23gzzi5/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTg4LWluYWN0aW9uP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYxOC0wMy0wMiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1sYXN0LXdlZWtzLWVtYWlsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ), I asked you to make a decision that can’t be undone. Many readers decided to quit their job. Here’s Alison: “A quarter century ago, when my first marriage was falling apart and I was wondering whether to call it quits, my mum informed me in unusually sage-like tones that ‘doing the wrong thing is better than doing nothing, because at least doing the wrong thing leads to other sh*t.’ She advised me thus because this is what she didn't do. All her life. She stayed in an abusive marriage, and never went anywhere, physically or metaphorically. I think she regretted it, and also admired me for not settling. Unfortunately, aside from a few huge leaps into the unknown, I am my mother's daughter and terrified of upsetting the status quo. This afternoon I am telling my manager that I am quitting my employment with her, as the job is entirely unsuitable to who I am and has made me pathologically miserable for almost four years. I don't know what lies on the other side of this announcement, but the part of me that I've gagged with duct tape and hidden in the crawlspace is keen to find out. I'd say ‘wish me luck,’ but this terrifying act of radical agency has nothing to do with luck. Just gotta do it. Deep breath.” Rich is buying a business: “Wow—how timely is this! My career has been on autopilot for the last two years since taking a good-enough job after a really difficult layoff. I’m 54 years old. Someday I’ll figure out what’s next. Someday I’ll buy a small business and finally leave corporate America for good. Well, someday just arrived. I took a great workshop this weekend about buying and running small businesses, and my wife and I signed up for their program and have now committed to buying a business this year. The cost of inaction is often much higher than the cost of the wrong action. Someday just arrived.” Finally, Srishhti decided to walk away from someone she loves: “I have been in relationships and I enjoy it, but I do recognize I have patterns that affect the person I am with. No matter what I do, I keep repeating the same mistakes and then asking for forgiveness. I am forgiven too but I understand that takes a lot of courage for the other person to do it again and again. I have finally decided to leave the bond which I had for 2.5 years and yes it’s painful because I do know I want that person but if I stay longer I would keep repeating the cycle. It’s not that they want to leave me but I can’t see this cycle again and again. I don’t know if I’ll ever find someone but even if I don’t that’s fine too. Hurting someone you love is just unjustified no matter how many patterns one has. I recognize that about me and I don’t want to hurt them further.” As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous. Until next week, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author My Website ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/6qheh8hlzroqw6ao/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) – My Books ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/kkhmh6hnrwm7e3hl/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/58hvh7hgqx7e09b6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/25h2hoh369d5g7a3/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) – My Community ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/qvh8h7hdzwnxvrbl/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLXNpZ25vZmYmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9c2lnbm9mZi1tZW1iZXJzaGlwLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) -------------------------- WHAT ELSE AM I WORKING ON? -------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/dphwqmnqh0hev653kebm/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) --------------------------------------------- Purpose – An AI That Coaches Better Than I Do --------------------------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zq555aohp054p66c9hgeoz8/dphwqmnqh0hev653kebm/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC9hdDB5N2xhcA== ) Get a mentor that finds your personal growth opportunities and actually holds you accountable, for less than you spend on coffee every month. 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." I first went to therapy to fix my dating life. When I was in my 20s, every relationship lasted two months and ended in spectacular failure. After enough blow ups, I had to accept that all my exes only had one thing in common: me. I walked into therapy expecting to talk about my last girlfriend. But instead, we spent about two months talking about my parents. I’d explain how I kept screwing up relationships with amazing women, and the therapist would somehow ask a seemingly innocent question that subtly steered the conversation back to my childhood. I thought I had a dating problem. But therapy revealed this emotional blueprint I didn’t even know I was stuck following. Every relationship started the same: great connection, tons of chemistry, and then—around the six- or eight-week mark—I’d quietly check out. And worse, find reasons why it was their fault. Over and over and over. I grew up in a family where real emotional vulnerability didn’t feel safe. So when someone actually wanted closeness, I panicked. My nervous system read safety as danger, and the part of me that grew up neglected didn’t know how to stay once it felt seen. It’s a pattern I absorbed before I even knew what healthy looked like. And it took months of work just to uncover that it even existed, much less that it could be changed. And that’s the funny thing: so many of our problems aren't even the actual problem. They are the downstream effect of some deeper, unseen problem. And the work to actually fix the problem usually has way less to do with fixing and way more with simply learning how to see it clearly in the first place. See you Monday, Mark P.S. One lesser known way to confront these deeper problems is through psychedelic therapy. A couple friends of mine are doctors who have been at the forefront of the therapeutic power of psychedelics. They have a new book ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/4zu9epnel5iehpvxpdlbps6m8mrq2f5hwv9p3/58hvh7hgql29kof6/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbnRlZ3JhdGl2ZXBzeWNoLmxwYWdlcy5jby9zdW1taXQtbWFuc29uLw== ) coming out in a couple weeks, and if you pre-order now, you’ll get free access to a live online summit featuring some of the most respected voices in healing trauma and expanding consciousness—including Michael Pollan, Gábor Maté, Melissa Etheridge, and more. Get the book and unlock your free summit access. ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/4zu9epnel5iehpvxpdlbps6m8mrq2f5hwv9p3/58hvh7hgql29kof6/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbnRlZ3JhdGl2ZXBzeWNoLmxwYWdlcy5jby9zdW1taXQtbWFuc29uLw== )​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/4zu9epnel5iehpvxpdlbps6m8mrq2f5hwv9p3/25h2hoh36nwo4ei3/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/4zu9epnel5iehpvxpdlbps6m8mrq2f5hwv9p3/qvh8h7hdzqp6o6cl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/4zu9epnel5iehpvxpdlbps6m8mrq2f5hwv9p3/g3hnh5hmrxwz6eur/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/4zu9epnel5iehpvxpdlbps6m8mrq2f5hwv9p3/9qhzhnhd0nr2zpa9/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/4zu9epnel5iehpvxpdlbps6m8mrq2f5hwv9p3/3ohphkh30vgd43sr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/4zu9epnel5iehpvxpdlbps6m8mrq2f5hwv9p3/n2hohvhvme0o66a6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/4zu9epnel5iehpvxpdlbps6m8mrq2f5hwv9p3/48hvhehmvk826gcx/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/4zu9epnel5iehpvxpdlbps6m8mrq2f5hwv9p3/wnh2hghqn86ox8a7/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/4zu9epnel5iehpvxpdlbps6m8mrq2f5hwv9p3/reh8hohm4nz5wka2/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter and all other updates from me, you can unsubscribe here ( https://fc541894.unsubscribe.convertkit-mail4.com/4zu9epnel5iehpvxpdlbps6m8mrq2f5hwv9p3 ). Disclaimer: By sending your breakthrough you are giving us your explicit consent to process the data and share it with our newsletter subscribers, MarkManson.net website visitors and on social media, including any sensitive data such as information regarding mental health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. You may opt out and/or request deletion of the data at any time. You acknowledge that once we have shared your breakthrough with the other email subscribers we can no longer delete the data from their mailboxes. Infinity Squared Media LLC, 2525 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90405

​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." 62 people had a breakthrough last week. Read this newsletter on MarkManson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghknprg9i0snzk7262u8h69vdk/reh8hohm4wv6d3h2/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTg4LWluYWN0aW9uP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYxNi0wMi0yMyZ1dG1fY29udGVudD12aWV3LWluLWJyb3dzZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ). --------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT --------------------------------- The cost of inaction is often much higher than the cost of the wrong action. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghknprg9i0snzk7262u8h69vdk/08hwh9h2vgwlexhl/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDI1MjYxNDE5OTkwNTA3OTM2 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghknprg9i0snzk7262u8h69vdk/8ghqhohozqprdpak/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RWQjBodDlHbmtXLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghknprg9i0snzk7262u8h69vdk/vqh3hrhole3w0dbg/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAzM2hFYjRqOUREaHVNNzRkNzV1azdmc3Q4cmluZXZNbVBNdDlTNk1qZG1jZ2RVOE1zc2VMWjJ2dE15NmhidmtCR2w= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghknprg9i0snzk7262u8h69vdk/l2hehmhle6vx2ks6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl90aGUtY29zdC1vZi1pbmFjdGlvbi1pcy1vZnRlbi1tdWNoLWhpZ2hlci1hY3Rpdml0eS03NDMxMDI3MTEwNjU3MzUxNjgwLTVvcmI= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghknprg9i0snzk7262u8h69vdk/m2h7h5h3vm045oam/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVkIwSVpUanRrbA== ) When you can’t decide, ask yourself: Which option minimizes future regrets? Then do that. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghknprg9i0snzk7262u8h69vdk/e0hph7h76qwrv7s8/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDI1NjE2NzA5MDkzMTUxMDA5 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghknprg9i0snzk7262u8h69vdk/7qh7h8h9qwpnlwuz/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RWRVZ0ZUJGT1F4Lw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghknprg9i0snzk7262u8h69vdk/owhkhqhwpglq9obv/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAyQmp0ZEZ4Mk1hTGZUMTJSd3JGYmNqeUx6UmUzcWlxbWlMMjZaOFRhaW1QUHliZERjQVdwM3JOOUpLdG5HUFBNRWw= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghknprg9i0snzk7262u8h69vdk/z2hghnhenprl60fp/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRmZlZWQlMkZ1cGRhdGUlMkZ1cm4lM0FsaSUzQWFjdGl2aXR5JTNBNzQzMTM4MjQyNDM2ODA3NDc1MiUyRg== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghknprg9i0snzk7262u8h69vdk/p8heh9h4mg5q6ruq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVkVWdHcyRHNrVQ== ) Reflect: Then consider sharing this thought with others. ---------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF ---------------------------------- What part of your life is on autopilot because you’re afraid of choosing wrong? What are you actively avoiding by not deciding? Recommended: Use these as journaling prompts for the week. ---------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK ---------------------------------- Make a decision that can’t be undone. Send the message, start the draft, cancel the thing. Then let me know what happens. Remember: Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs. Reply to this email and let me know how it went. ----------------------- You’re Going to Be Fine ----------------------- Sponsored by BetterHelp ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghknprg9i0snzk7262u8h69vdk/x0hph6heo9dq2oc5/aHR0cHM6Ly9oYXNvZmZlcnN0cmFja2luZy5iZXR0ZXJoZWxwLmNvbS9hZmZfYz9hZmZfaWQ9Mzg2OSZvZmZlcl9pZD0yJnNvdXJjZT1tYXJrMjA= ) Relationships aren’t hard because you’re messed up. They’re hard because they force you to confront your blind spots. Your patterns. Your emotional baggage. That’s where therapy actually helps... not by fixing you, but by helping you see yourself more clearly so you stop repeating the same crap in every relationship. BetterHelp makes it easier to talk to a licensed therapist online, on your schedule, without turning it into a whole thing. If you’re tired of having the same fights with different people, this might be worth your time. Try BetterHelp today and get 20% off your first month. Get 20% off your first month with BetterHelp ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghknprg9i0snzk7262u8h69vdk/x0hph6heo9dq2oc5/aHR0cHM6Ly9oYXNvZmZlcnN0cmFja2luZy5iZXR0ZXJoZWxwLmNvbS9hZmZfYz9hZmZfaWQ9Mzg2OSZvZmZlcl9pZD0yJnNvdXJjZT1tYXJrMjA= ) ​ ------------------------- LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS ------------------------- In last week’s newsletter ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghknprg9i0snzk7262u8h69vdk/6qheh8hlzn69rrso/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTg2LXBlcm1pc3Npb24_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjE2LTAyLTIzJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PWxhc3Qtd2Vla3MtZW1haWwmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ), I asked you to stop asking for permission, so you can see that it was never required in the first place. Our first reader likened my prompt to “divine intervention”: “Is that what this prompt was, the stars aligning to give me permission to stop feeling I have to prove myself? I look back and see this pattern in my life… was it for me, was it for the world to see? Did I do all these things because I needed approval and admiration, or perhaps as I’d like to believe, was I just proving things to myself? Either way, I finally decided a few days ago to leave my stressful job in the crazy world of tech sales. And I am not 28 like most people in tech sales, I am almost 68! Do I have to work financially? No. I was doing it because it was fun, but it’s not fun anymore. But was I also doing it to prove that I could reinvent myself, that I am still relevant? What part of me took pride in saying I’m the oldest person in Silicon Valley in tech sales? Am I that starved for recognition? It has taken me months to recognize it’s not fun anymore. How many healthy years do I have left? How do I want to spend them? Certainly not sitting in front of my computer on Zoom calls ten hours a day. But why was I feeling so guilty admitting I was burnt out and ready to move on? Regardless of what has driven me, whether it’s the challenge, the adventure, the recognition, my ego… I am now telling myself that I don’t have to prove myself anymore, and that’s very freeing. I am enough, I have done enough.” Our next reader traded excuse for fun: “I have wanted to learn how to play the electric guitar for as long as I can remember, but I always had an excuse: I don't know what kind of guitar I want, not enough time, couldn't afford it, no one near me provides lessons, I'm getting too old to learn, and I probably won't be very good anyway. One afternoon while doom scrolling, I saw a candy red Stratocaster on Facebook Marketplace for cheap dough that was just screaming my name. One by one the excuses that had always been there melted away except for that last excuse: I probably won't be very good. So what if I'm not? I've tried and failed at many things. I just watched my 25-year marriage go down the drain and I was worried about possibly failing at this? Really? The internal discussion with myself was quite amusing, and ended with me telling myself ‘You're not the boss of me. I'm going to do it AND be terrible at it, and you're not going to stop me.’ So I went and bought that guitar and started learning to play some easy riffs using online tutorials. It's been a challenge to get my engineer brain to embrace something so fluid and ‘artsy’ but little by little the sour notes become fewer, and the once horrid sound coming from the amplifier now resembles a song. I may never be ‘good’ at it, and that's perfectly okay because I'm having a lot of fun.” Finally, this month our community members went through a 7-Day Dating Reset. Here’s Cami giving himself permission to choose honesty over performance: “Two things come to mind: Waiting to text back so I wouldn't come off as needy. Acting honestly would simply be responding when I see it and have time, instead of calculating how long to wait to seem appropriately interested but not desperate. Not doing anything/saying how I felt, waiting for the other person to take the first step to avoid a rejection. Acting honestly would be to take the first step and risk rejection.” Cami is responding above to our prompt, on Day 6 of the Dating Reset, to separate boundaries from games so you always stay aligned with what’s most important. And it’s not too late to join in. Learn more here ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghknprg9i0snzk7262u8h69vdk/6qhdq0d7c8hlzn69reao/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tL2RhdGluZz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci0yMDI2MTYtMDItMjMmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9bWVtYmVyc2hpcC1kYXRpbmcmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ). As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous. 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." Everyone is using AI to think less. But the highest-leverage AI prompts do the exact opposite. They make you think more. The most common AI prompts make us comfortable: * “Summarize this article.” * “Write this email for me.” * “Tell my girlfriend it’s over.” But, the best prompts force you into discomfort. Here's what I mean. This prompt went viral last year: "Based on everything you know about me, what are my biggest blindspots?" Decent. But watch what happens when you engineer psychological pressure into the structure: ROLE: You are an expert psychologist with a keen eye for spotting human patterns. OBJECTIVE: Based on everything you know about me, what are my biggest blindspots? How are they holding me back? What potential am I wasting? What should I be paying attention to but I'm not? INSTRUCTIONS: - Reason from first principles - Do not make large leaps—stick to what's most likely - Go deep, don't hold back - Be brutally honest OUTPUT: 1. Summary: 3–5 sentences describing my patterns 2. Top 3 Blindspots with: - Current belief - Why it's flawed - Harm pattern (how it shows up) - Upgraded belief (clear, testable) - One micro-experiment to validate the new belief 3. Next 14 Days: One behavioral test I can apply TONE: Curious, incisive, non-judgmental. Challenge assumptions without shaming. Here’s what just happened: → “Be brutally honest” strips politeness filters. → “First principles” blocks generic BS. → “Upgraded belief + micro-test” forces action. → “Next 14 days” removes the “someday” excuse. People won’t shut up about optimizing prompts for clarity, when really they should be optimizing for inescapability. We've democratized access to world-class coaching— And most people are using it to write breakup emails. If your AI conversations don't occasionally make you uncomfortable… You're just having a very expensive echo chamber conversation. See you Monday, Mark P.S. Mastering prompts is step one. But with new AI tools launching daily, how do you know which ones are actually worth your time? ​The Rundown AI ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/lmulpnopvzhmhneerpwbqs8vvmv00cgh7zw56/x0hph6heonwr7ri5/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYWdpYy5iZWVoaWl2LmNvbS92MS80ZDAzMzkwZC0yNDgxLTQyOTktYjk0OS1mZmQ4YjM4YjRjMzg_X2dsPTElMkExcXFpeDI1JTJBX2djbF9hdSUyQU1UWXdORGMwTWpnMk9DNHhOekk1TlRNeU5qWXclMkFfZ2ElMkFNVGsyWXpVNE1EY3RaR0ZsWmkwME1qUTNMV0l6WkRZdFkmZW1haWw9YiU0MGVtYWlsLmdvbW9kdWxyLmNvbSZyZWRpcmVjdF9kZWxheT0xJnJlZGlyZWN0X3RvPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGc3Vic2NyaWJlLnRoZXJ1bmRvd24uYWklMkYlM0Zmb3JtJTNEb3BlbiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1hcmttYW5zb24= ) is a free 5-minute daily newsletter that tells you exactly this, and teaches you how to use them. 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." 93 people had a breakthrough last week. Read this newsletter on MarkManson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/p8heh9h4m5nlngfq/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTg2LXBlcm1pc3Npb24_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjE0LTAyLTE2JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXZpZXctaW4tYnJvd3NlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ). --------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT --------------------------------- Accept this: You don't have to prove anything to anybody, ever. Including yourself. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/x0hph6heod5l53c5/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDIyNzE3NzE1NjYwNTcwOTQ1 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/kkhmh6hnr2k3kzfl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RVd0JpTU9FbFhYLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/58hvh7hgqorzrqt6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDBBeW1SaXdjWll6UGIxUEw1aWlxbVZRa05CMXM0d0x6aEtaTVJ0aWRabWtnbm9IaTRlWWRUVmJXY0UybU5kbVZXbA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/25h2hoh360kek9f3/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl9hY2NlcHQtdGhpcy15b3UtZG9udC1oYXZlLXRvLXByb3ZlLWFueXRoaW5nLWFjdGl2aXR5LTc0Mjg0ODM0MDcwNTMwNjYyNDAta1BrOA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/qvh8h7hdz2909pil/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVXZ2WXlzanFBcg== ) The moment you stop asking for permission is when you realize it was never required. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/g3hnh5hmro4k45cr/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDIzMDc5OTc1ODg5Mjg5Mzcz ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/9qhzhnhd03olovt9/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RVeVU1LWNqQ1pmLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/3ohphkh309eneear/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAyTUd2aXM5RkFIUzcyUHpkZTQxZGlRb2VMZWk1RTE1cFFzQnVHRTZWV3ZKdHVBWXY3M1RSYUdqcW9paG5aOGdINmw= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/n2hohvhvm5zkz7u6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl90aGUtbW9tZW50LXlvdS1zdG9wLWFza2luZy1mb3ItcGVybWlzc2lvbi1hY3Rpdml0eS03NDI4ODQ1NjY2MTk5NTgwNjcyLWY2VGI= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/48hvhehmvq4n47hx/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVXlVSVJfRHBwWg== ) Reflect: Then consider sharing this thought with others. ---------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF ---------------------------------- What have you been trying to prove lately? Whose permission do you seek? Recommended: Use these as journaling prompts for the week. ---------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK ---------------------------------- Pick one small decision you’ve been waiting for permission to make. Make it—and resist the urge to explain yourself. Let me know how it goes. Remember: Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs. Reply to this email and let me know how it went. --------------------------- Protect Your Privacy Online --------------------------- Sponsored by DeleteMe ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/wnh2hghqnve3edh7/aHR0cHM6Ly9qb2luZGVsZXRlbWUuY29tLzIwb2ZmLz9jb3Vwb249QlJFQUtUSFJPVUdIJmluZj1NYXJrJTIwTWFuc29uJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1CUkVBS1RIUk9VR0gmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1pbmZsdWVuY2Vy ) Every day, your personal information is collected and sold—legally—by data brokers. Not just emails, but home addresses, phone numbers, sometimes even relatives’ names. 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Protect your privacy—and get 20% off ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/wnh2hghqnve3edh7/aHR0cHM6Ly9qb2luZGVsZXRlbWUuY29tLzIwb2ZmLz9jb3Vwb249QlJFQUtUSFJPVUdIJmluZj1NYXJrJTIwTWFuc29uJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1CUkVBS1RIUk9VR0gmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1pbmZsdWVuY2Vy ) ​ ------------------------- LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS ------------------------- In last week’s newsletter ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/reh8hohm4vgeg8i2/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTg0LXJlbGF0aW9uc2hpcD91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci0yMDI2MTQtMDItMTYmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9bGFzdC13ZWVrcy1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ), I asked you to do one thing you’d promised yourself, and notice how this changes how you show up with other people. Philip’s decision to put himself first led to a relationship where he can show up authentically: “Story of my life. I’m over 20,000 days old, and recently I realized that my wife and I ‘co-created’ an unhealthy relationship. (I don’t like to use ‘toxic’ anymore, in my world it has been overused and abused.) I realize that I need to be fine and healthy with myself. So two years ago, after attempting to mend our relationship but alas with no or very little response from her side, I decided to end the relationship. In the meantime I met a new woman, also my age, and because she’s done a lot of work upon herself as well, I do learn a totally new way of how relationships can be healthily lived. Without drama, respectful, open-minded, and most importantly full honesty from my side, including no omissions and nice guy shit (as uncomfortable as it may be). Being with my new partner, I can be myself, do not need to distort or dance around eggshells. It‘s like I can finally breathe.” Helen refused to compromise on her value: “I am a consultant in my mid-50s and recently had a real life test of this. A former colleague invited me to ‘collaborate’ in her new consultancy. In practice, it turned into me doing the analysis for a client, then watching her negotiate ongoing terms without me at less than half my usual rate. The client wanted to keep working with me, so the easy option would have been to swallow it and take the work. But I know my value and how I work, and accepting that setup would have meant agreeing to be undervalued from day one. So I pushed back and said let’s pause. I will be honest, it felt awful. I am someone who feels disapproval deeply and my brain quickly jumps to ‘they will dislike you.’ But I did not choose to be disliked. I chose to back myself. There is still some wobble and guilt, but also a quiet sense of pride. I think that is the real upside. You build self-respect and a thicker skin at the same time. Anyway, that was my small but meaningful breakthrough this week.” Finally, our community member is keeping a promise to herself: “I fawn to feel safe around people, especially people that make me nervous. But I don’t need to use people pleasing to feel safe. I’ve realized it’s ok to not feel safe. I’ll still enforce boundaries because I choose clear healthy boundaries. I don’t feel safe but I am safe. My feelings will fall in line one day at a time. Following through on boundaries caused me guilt, fear and anxiety at the time. Now looking back I feel proud, powerful and safe. I’m happier in my home, at my job and with humans overall. I intend to get comfortable not feeling safe in order to live more in line with my values of freedom, novelty, growth and truth.” If showing up for yourself feels difficult, we have whole courses inside The Solved Membership to help you manage your emotions, set boundaries, and finally live a life aligned with your values. Plus support from thousands of community members working on themselves, right alongside you. Learn more here ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/e0hn6nwmu7h76w82r9i8/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYxNC0wMi0xNiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1tZW1iZXJzaGlwJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ). As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous. Until next week, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author My Website ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/8ghqhohozpmxr0tk/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) – My Books ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/vqh3hrhol3zdwvcg/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/l2hehmhlev8zx4f6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/m2h7h5h3v0d740am/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) – My Community ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/dpheh0hevwlmpmcm/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLXNpZ25vZmYmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9c2lnbm9mZi1tZW1iZXJzaGlwLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) -------------------------- WHAT ELSE AM I WORKING ON? -------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/48hw8pk3hehmvq4nx2hx/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC8yZGY1aXBjcg== ) --------------------------------------------- Purpose – An AI That Coaches Better Than I Do --------------------------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/48hw8pk3hehmvq4nx2hx/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC8yZGY1aXBjcg== ) Get a mentor that finds your personal growth opportunities and actually holds you accountable, for less than you spend on coffee every month. Start Your Free 7-Day Trial ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/48hw8pk3hehmvq4nx2hx/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlYXBwLm9uZWxpbmsubWUvV0h5MC8yZGY1aXBjcg== ) ​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/7qh7h8h9qprmn0az/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/owhkhqhwpl27qrfv/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/l2hehmhlev8zx4f6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/z2hghnhenrq8lehp/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/p8heh9h4m5nlqghq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/x0hph6heod5lq3i5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/dpheh0hevwlmprfm/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/e0hph7h76w82rms8/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/zlu5oe9ormhnhknwvp0bphwgg8g00b6hkr0go/7qh7h8h9qprmnqcz/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." The night I met my wife, I was explaining Russian grammar at 3AM in a Brazilian nightclub. I did my best to scare her off. I was living as a nomad at the time. I was 23 or 25 or 27—one of those ages where you think you’re hot sh*t but you’re really just sh*t (and not hot). I met her at this club in Brazil. Within maybe five minutes, I'm somehow deep into how Russian grammar differs from romance languages. At 3AM. In a nightclub. To a woman I just met. And she's just... there. Listening. If she wasn’t actually serious, she deserved an Oscar for acting like she was. I remember looking at her mid-sentence and thinking: “Holy sh*t, she's still here.” That's when I knew we were going to get along. The dating world tells you to be cool. * “Don't be too much.” * “Don't show your weird too early.” * “Play it safe until they're hooked.” I did the opposite—full linguistics nerd within five minutes. And it worked… Because it was a filter. Anyone who would've been scared off by that conversation wasn't going to work anyway. The performance version of me might've gotten a second date. But then I'd have to keep performing. I gave a 15-minute TEDx talk to say what I'm about to say in one sentence: It's better to be disliked for who you are than liked for who you're not. Front-load your weird. The right person will stay. See you Monday, Mark P.S. Imagine if an AI could tell you exactly who was compatible with you and how to get your needs met in your relationship with as little struggle or conflict as possible? That’s the new feature we’ve rolled out at Purpose ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh207k54uos4ppzpnnf7h5pl7w/owhkhqhwpk26q3tv/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcC8= ). Check out our new Love Maps assessment, using the AI we’re able to assess all of the most fundamental parts of your romantic psychology and help you gain a better understanding of how your relationships work (or don’t work). 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( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh207k54uos4ppzpnnf7h5pl7w/owhkhqhwpk26q3tv/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcC8= ) --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh207k54uos4ppzpnnf7h5pl7w/z2hghnhen4qkl4ip/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh207k54uos4ppzpnnf7h5pl7w/p8heh9h4m3n2q2fq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh207k54uos4ppzpnnf7h5pl7w/x0hph6heor5pqzt5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh207k54uos4ppzpnnf7h5pl7w/6qheh8hlzkm596ao/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh207k54uos4ppzpnnf7h5pl7w/kkhmh6hnrdk5x3fl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh207k54uos4ppzpnnf7h5pl7w/58hvh7hgqvrn69h6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh207k54uos4ppzpnnf7h5pl7w/25h2hoh36vk8m7u3/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh207k54uos4ppzpnnf7h5pl7w/qvh8h7hdz794kril/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh207k54uos4ppzpnnf7h5pl7w/g3hnh5hmrd4lqmar/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? Simply copy and paste the following link: https://markmanson.net/breakthrough/185-dating ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh207k54uos4ppzpnnf7h5pl7w/9qhzhnhd0qo65zt9/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTg1LWRhdGluZw== )​ If you were forwarded this message, sign up to receive it each week here ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/38ugdmedr8fkh207k54uos4ppzpnnf7h5pl7w/3ohphkh30oe2pzcr/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2g_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjEzLTAyLTEyJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ24tdXAtaGVyZSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ). It’s free. I never spam. About this newsletter: You are receiving this email because you signed up to my free newsletter. Each week, I send you a few powerful ideas, a few questions to ask yourself, and a few things to try in your life. 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." 61 people had a breakthrough last week. Read this newsletter on MarkManson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/g3hnh5hmgvzmmear/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTg0LXJlbGF0aW9uc2hpcD91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci0yMDI2MTItMDItMDkmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9dmlldy1pbi1icm93c2VyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ). --------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT --------------------------------- A great spouse makes everything else in your life easier. A bad spouse makes everything else in your life harder. Your romantic relationship is your highest leverage choice in life. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/3ohphkh3xwd333hr/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDIwMTgwODk1OTQ1MTc1NTQ0 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/n2hohvhv2dovv6u6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RVZHR5T0dFbVU2Lw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/48hvhehmwo2mmgix/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAybzh2WW1mbWt0RHJWY0RoTU5HekVqS1JwSmFtNTVjR0xDWGJ4S1RIUG5FV3E1VjNHZDlMeENoUHV6ZWlpN2l0WGw= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/reh8hohmk85mmkt2/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl9hLWdyZWF0LXNwb3VzZS1tYWtlcy1ldmVyeXRoaW5nLWVsc2UtaW4teW91ci1hY3Rpdml0eS03NDI1OTQ2NTgwOTQxNDM0ODgyLWtHUEI= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/8ghqhohow45oodsk/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVWR0eUdRamhMUg== ) Every healthy relationship starts with two people who have healthy relationships with themselves. Any toxic relationship is the result of at least one person’s toxic relationship with themselves. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/vqh3hrhom5koorag/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDIwNTQzMjc5MjcyNDg4OTk5 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/l2hehmhlqgkll9b6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RVZ1NrNDZFZ1htLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/m2h7h5h32rn336hm/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAyNkdYMnptRlVjd2V4emVWUHJSVUJDc3hYaW01ZFo5czl1RzZvRFlXaFJoSEc4UEVnejVoUjdDY05BNk05REJFOGw= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/dpheh0hed37eelfm/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl9ldmVyeS1oZWFsdGh5LXJlbGF0aW9uc2hpcC1zdGFydHMtd2l0aC10d28tYWN0aXZpdHktNzQyNjMwODk3MzQxMjI5ODc1Mi1VdlNv ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/e0hph7h7mxn77rh8/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVWdTa3lhRG1ySA== ) Reflect: Then consider sharing this thought with others. ---------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF ---------------------------------- Think of your most important relationship—this could be your spouse, your partner, your family, a friend. Is it making everything else in your life easier, or harder? Why? Recommended: Use these as journaling prompts for the week. ---------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK ---------------------------------- Do one thing this week you’ve been promising yourself you’d do. Then notice how that changes how you show up with other people. Let me know what you find. Remember: Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs. Reply to this email and let me know how it went. ---------- I'M HIRING ---------- * Social Media Manager ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/9qhmmovwfnhd472ddec9/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9qb2JzL3NvY2lhbC1tZWRpYS1tYW5hZ2VyP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYxMi0wMi0wOSZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zb2NpYWwtbWVkaWEtbWFuYWdlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) * Technical Growth Marketer ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/owhkhqhwxz8wwefv/aHR0cHM6Ly9waGFzZS1qdWp1YmUtNTQxLm5vdGlvbi5zaXRlL1RlY2huaWNhbC1Hcm93dGgtTWFya2V0aW5nLU1hcmtldGluZy1PcGVyYXRpb25zLU1hbmFnZXItMmU4MTc0MGNlNjA3ODA0MWJjZjBkZGJmZDNlODg3YTA= ) * Lifecycle Marketing Manager ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/z2hghnhe5gdeegap/aHR0cHM6Ly9waGFzZS1qdWp1YmUtNTQxLm5vdGlvbi5zaXRlL0xpZmVjeWNsZS1NYXJrZXRpbmctTWFuYWdlci0yZTExNzQwY2U2MDc4MDU0YTAyZGQzYTllZGI5NDY1ZA== ) -------------------------- Free Guide: Dating, Solved -------------------------- If you’ve ever stared at your phone wondering why they didn’t text back, replayed a date in your head trying to decode what it meant, or hesitated to say how you felt because you didn’t want to screw things up—this is for you. Dating feels confusing when no one ever explains how attraction actually works. Signals, effort, and reciprocity follow patterns of pretty predictable human behavior. Most people just never learn how to spot them. But you can. Because I dedicated an entire Solved podcast episode to dating, and created this 63-page PDF companion guide for you. Dating, Solved breaks down modern dating dynamics so you can spot unstable patterns early, read interest more clearly, and make better decisions without turning dating into a performance or a guessing game. If you’re really looking for the one relationship that changes the rest, this is the no-bullsh*t guide you need to build it. And it’s yours, free, with one click. ​Download Your Free Dating Guide ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/m2hggoket5h32rn3mksm/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbS9zb2x2ZWQtZ3VpZGUtY29uZmlybWVkLz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci0yMDI2MTItMDItMDkmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9c29sdmVkLWd1aWRlLWNvbmZpcm1lZCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== )​ ​ ------------------------- LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS ------------------------- In last week’s newsletter ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/x0hph6hekg7e9rh5/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTgyLWxpZmUtZWFzaWVyP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYxMi0wMi0wOSZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1sYXN0LXdlZWtzLWVtYWlsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ), I asked you to reframe one struggle you have as training, not punishment. Michelle discovered that her struggles are, in fact, the dreams of her past self: “I just signed up for your newsletter this weekend. Today's was the first one I read and it felt fortuitous. I am a single mother to two ADHD children—9 and 13. I work full-time, run the household, and try to support them in their growth. Some days are really hard. I go through cycles with my outlook on life. Sometimes I am in a good place where I can be motivated to continue creating structure for my kids, take care of myself, and be hopeful about the future. Sometimes I get stuck in the quicksand of negativity and I am resentful that my life is so hard and my kids don't function at their age levels. I compare myself to others. I get burnt out and overwhelmed. I feel alone and think things will never get better. Your suggestion today that the things I am struggling with now are a result of what I dreamed in the past was a good reminder to change my perspective. I dreamed of having children. I dreamed of escaping my ex-husband. I dreamed of owning my own house. And now I have all those things, but some days all of that can look like a burden instead of a blessing. So I am going to start trying to reframe my experience and think about where we have come from. My kids have made a lot of progress over the last six months but sometimes it's easy to forget that and only see the problems. I loved your books and I look forward to using these newsletters to continue to improve my life. Thank you.” While K realized her current struggle is not one she wants to pursue: “This email really struck me because I have worked towards many different goals in my life, probably believing I should have been achieving them rather than actually wanting to. I sit here in the midst of VAT return chaos all because I forced myself to become a bookkeeper—I thought it would bring me a stable income and a happier life. What I came to realize, is I wish I had stuck to my old simple job of cleaning. I didn't take the work home with me, unlike this job (literally and mentally!). I took a holiday recently and decided that I can't go on being this miserable. Yes, I achieved my goal, which is why I am sitting here. But not as a result of dreams, more aptly, I would call my nightmares. I am going to get through the next few months and start making plans to close down my practice and start learning about things I'm actually interested in. (I gained a philosophy and psychology degree and never used it, so I think I will go down this path again one way or another).” Finally, Alex is using both the courses inside our Solved Membership and my Purpose app to train himself on boundaries: “Solved community members know I’m focusing on my Autonomy goal, especially around navigating remote versus on-site work, a recurring theme in my Boundaries Month ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/48hwwr0pbehmwo2m6pbx/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tL2JvdW5kYXJpZXM_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjEyLTAyLTA5JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PW1lbWJlcnNoaXAtYm91bmRhcmllcyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) posts. I’m currently on a work break, so I haven’t implemented this professional boundary yet. Still, the Boundaries Month exercises and my role-playing with the Purpose AI chatbot ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/58hvh7hg3e9gkou6/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcA== ) have strengthened my confidence to express boundaries collaboratively, increasing the likelihood of cooperative responses when I return. In the Purpose role-plays, the app acts as my boss, gradually raising the difficulty to help me handle emotions like guilt, anxiety, and fear of professional consequences. My strategy is staying grounded in my values, knowing my core principles, and remaining calm and professional, which helps me stay centered and avoid over-explaining. What surprised me most is how quickly this composure disarms difficult scenarios. It's hard for any counterpart, real or simulated, to stay reactive when I remain steady and reasonable. I now feel prepared to bring this grounded confidence into real workplace conversations. Thank you, Boundaries Month and Purpose AI.” If you’d like the kind of guidance, support, and results Alex is getting, you can check out our Solved Membership here ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/48hwwr0pbehmwo2m6pbx/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tL2JvdW5kYXJpZXM_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjEyLTAyLTA5JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PW1lbWJlcnNoaXAtYm91bmRhcmllcyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ), and while you’re at it, why not start your 7-day free trial of Purpose? Start your free trial here. ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/58hvh7hg3e9gkou6/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcA== ) As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous. Until next week, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author My Website ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/25h2hoh3l5o34ei3/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) – My Books ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/qvh8h7hdex6do6cl/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/g3hnh5hmgvzm6etr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/9qhzhnhd472dzpa9/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) – My Community ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/3ohphkh3xwd343sr/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLXNpZ25vZmYmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9c2lnbm9mZi1tZW1iZXJzaGlwLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) -------------------------- WHAT ELSE AM I WORKING ON? -------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/l2h9rn56umhlqgkl6vu6/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcA== ) ---------------------------------------------------- Purpose – My AI-Powered App (Now With Love Coaching) ---------------------------------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/l2h9rn56umhlqgkl6vu6/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcA== ) Discover your real patterns in love and get the custom guidance you need to build healthier relationships inside my AI coaching app Purpose. Start Free Today ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/l2h9rn56umhlqgkl6vu6/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcA== ) ​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/n2hohvhv2dov66a6/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/wnh2hghqmzoqx8a7/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/g3hnh5hmgvzm6etr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/reh8hohmk85mwku2/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/08hwh9h2n872gvfl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/8ghqhohow45oqdsk/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/vqh3hrhom5koerag/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/l2hehmhlqgkl69i6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/wvuwkn7k0msghkno92zf0snzz8zxxi8h69vdk/m2h7h5h32rn3m6sm/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." For 18 years, I built my brand by sh*tting on positive thinking. Then I read the research. For almost two decades, I've been the guy rolling his eyes at the "look in the mirror and tell yourself you're amazing" crowd. It was kind of my thing. So when my research team sent me a summary on resilience for my Solved podcast ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zw2qdu6sp00q0kkh9hgeoz8/e0hph7h7mrk0o7b8/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbS9yZXNpbGllbmNlP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYxMS0wMi0wNSZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1yZXNpbGllbmNlLXNvbHZlZCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ), I sat there with my head in my hands thinking: “No. Guys. I can't do this.” Because the data showed I was wrong. Publicly. For nearly 20 years. The number one factor for resilience—for actually getting through hard things—is self-efficacy. Which is basically the belief that you can handle whatever you're going through. In other words: positive thinking. Cue: Mark’s Mini-Crisis. I was going to have to eat humble pie on the mic. But the research was nuanced. It depends on the context. And after sitting with it, I landed on a stance I feel good about: Positive thinking while you're sitting on the couch scrolling cat videos is useless. In fact, it’s probably keeping you on that couch longer. But positive thinking mid-struggle, when everything in you wants to quit? That's when it can be the difference between pushing through and giving up. Turns out, positive thinking is like any tool. A hammer is useless for cutting wood, but that doesn't mean hammers are bullshit. See you Monday, Mark P.S. If being able to do hard things is a skill you’d like to sharpen, we have a whole course in The Solved Membership to help you do just that. You’ll build the kind of resilience that helped our member Ricardo “take difficult situations and emotions and turn them into fuel for something meaningful.” Learn more here. ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zw2qdu6sp00q0kkh9hgeoz8/m2hgglnga5h324o8zmam/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tL3Jlc2lsaWVuY2U_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjExLTAyLTA1JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PW1lbWJlcnNoaXAtcmVzaWxpZW5jZSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== )​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zw2qdu6sp00q0kkh9hgeoz8/owhkhqhwxq4rdotv/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zw2qdu6sp00q0kkh9hgeoz8/z2hghnhe5lo3x0ip/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zw2qdu6sp00q0kkh9hgeoz8/p8heh9h4rq9zortq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zw2qdu6sp00q0kkh9hgeoz8/x0hph6hekqnw0ot5/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zw2qdu6sp00q0kkh9hgeoz8/6qheh8hlx9p7erho/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zw2qdu6sp00q0kkh9hgeoz8/kkhmh6hnzx8lvvfl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zw2qdu6sp00q0kkh9hgeoz8/58hvh7hg365m28u6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zw2qdu6sp00q0kkh9hgeoz8/25h2hoh3lm72wps3/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zw2qdu6sp00q0kkh9hgeoz8/qvh8h7hdek8rp9bl/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter and all other updates from me, you can unsubscribe here ( https://fc541894.unsubscribe.convertkit-mail4.com/68uno82o3gh8h5zw2qdu6sp00q0kkh9hgeoz8 ). Disclaimer: By sending your breakthrough you are giving us your explicit consent to process the data and share it with our newsletter subscribers, MarkManson.net website visitors and on social media, including any sensitive data such as information regarding mental health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. You may opt out and/or request deletion of the data at any time. You acknowledge that once we have shared your breakthrough with the other email subscribers we can no longer delete the data from their mailboxes. Infinity Squared Media LLC, 2525 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90405

​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." 69 people had a breakthrough last week. Read this newsletter on MarkManson.net ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/reh8hohmkrxzvqa2/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTgyLWxpZmUtZWFzaWVyP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYxMC0wMi0wMiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD12aWV3LWluLWJyb3dzZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ). --------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT --------------------------------- The struggles never get easier. You just get better at bearing them. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/08hwh9h2n5zrwdfl/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDE4MDA2NTUyMzQ3NjQ4NDY5 ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/8ghqhohowv9nposk/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAyN1JUZUplV0tLUExZOW5SdU5HNm91UG9wVTlNRkRRcko4QVpOVUhBdUtVVWhGUGpXQ3o2cFNaRFhyWEI5ODduaWw= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/vqh3hrhom7gr3eag/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl90aGUtc3RydWdnbGVzLW5ldmVyLWdldC1lYXNpZXIteW91LWp1c3QtYWN0aXZpdHktNzQyMzc3MjIzMjU5MTY3NTM5Mi1jdUNX ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/l2hehmhlq9r7vrc6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVU9RX2VhanNHeA== ) Chances are many of your problems are the result of achieving the dreams of your past self. Be grateful for them. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/m2h7h5h32pez0whm/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDE3NjQ0MTUwMTA4MDgyNTIy ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/e0hph7h7mg4ow6s8/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDBxek5lcWFoVVE4SENNWlVya2JhWXZnWHFvWWR1RnNMSzZ0WWRNR2Q4VEtFckpidFpOc2dIbzJuYTRvbkxXV2NTbA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/7qh7h8h9d7z5plfz/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl9jaGFuY2VzLWFyZS1tYW55LW9mLXlvdXItcHJvYmxlbXMtYXJlLXRoZS1hY3Rpdml0eS03NDIzNDA5ODU2NTY2NzE0MzY4LUpSS1I= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/owhkhqhwxvodlduv/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVUxzTkpDRHZuRg== ) Reflect: Then consider sharing this thought with others. ---------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF ---------------------------------- What problems do you have now that are the result of your past dreams? What does this tell you about yourself? Recommended: Use these as journaling prompts for the week. ---------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK ---------------------------------- Reframe one struggle you have as training, not punishment. Notice all the ways it is helping you grow, and let me know if this changes things for you. Remember: Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs. Reply to this email and let me know how it went. -------------------------------------- You Can’t Think Your Way Out of Stress -------------------------------------- Sponsored by NS Mastery ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/z2hghnhe5vwxrvup/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnNtYXN0ZXJ5LmNvbS8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNwcmluZzIwMjYmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bWFya19tYW5zb24= ) Burnout doesn’t just come from weak habits or poor discipline. The culprit you don’t usually see? A nervous system stuck in overdrive. Nervous System Mastery is a 5-week, live online bootcamp that teaches you how to regulate stress at the physiological level. You’ll learn evidence-based protocols to shift from anxiety to calm, reclaim natural energy (without stimulants), and build emotional self-regulation that holds up under pressure. The payoff: clearer thinking, deeper relationships, better sleep, and resilience that lasts. In a time of increasing uncertainty, learning how to stop your own biology from working against you is essential. Over 1,400 people have already done the work. If stress keeps running the show, this is worth a closer look. Apply to the March Cohort ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/z2hghnhe5vwxrvup/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnNtYXN0ZXJ5LmNvbS8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNwcmluZzIwMjYmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bWFya19tYW5zb24= ) ​ ------------------------- LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS ------------------------- In last week’s newsletter ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/p8heh9h4r0xo5wfq/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTgwLWJlLWZyZWU_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjEwLTAyLTAyJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PWxhc3Qtd2Vla3MtZW1haWwmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ), I asked you to choose one trade-off in life that you want, and go for it—even if it means disappointing someone. Barbara chose mental health over a friendship: “I set some boundaries with a friend regarding some topics that I found upsetting, and they reacted by telling me I took away their safe space and wouldn’t let them be themselves. What I’ve realized—and as a conflict-averse person, this is important—is that prioritizing your mental health isn’t going to make some people happy. The trade-off for mental peace is losing some people in your life. Of course, as with any trade-off, you have to ask yourself if the loss matters. If you choose work over time with your children, for example, you need to look at whether it’s a wise trade. But other times, you can see in retrospect that the loss wasn’t as big as you thought. In my case, if a friend ends a friendship because they can’t rant to you anymore, then maybe the friendship wasn’t as equal as you thought.” Our next reader traded judgment for growth: “My trade-off this morning felt ‘right’ for where I am and how I want to grow. I belong to a large, online group of women with strong opinions about religion, psychology, and how to best live a satisfying life. They come from all walks of life and various spiritual and career backgrounds. I’ve noticed that I’m drawn to some and not to others. Drawn to those with whom I agree and resistant to those whose ideas I find unsettling. In the past my solution was to skip over the comments that trigger my resistance, which has led me to ignore most of what those particular people share. This morning I realized that the ones I find unsettling are the teachers who are showing me what I still need to work on if I ‘really’ want to be the open, compassionate, inclusive, and engaged person I want to be. So instead of ignoring their contributions this morning, I paid close attention to their shares, looking for the essences of what I could relate to or learn from. And there was a lot. In my responses I shared things that stretched me and kept me curious and more open vs closed, attached to old beliefs, and self-righteously positioning myself, in my own mind, ‘above it all.’ I traded judgment and disengagement for engagement and growth. It felt great! Thanks for this one—possibly life-changing!” Finally, at the end of January’s Boundaries month, I asked our community members what they wouldn’t trade for anything. For Doreen, the answer is clear: “One firm boundary for me is listening to my body when it tells me to slow down or stop. I have had to have surgery in the past because I pushed my body too hard for family and work. Flexible boundary: Doing less exercise on days when my body isn’t up to it. My health is important to me and is my #1 priority. If I lose it, my quality of life greatly suffers and I want to avoid that as long as I can.” So far, members of our Solved Membership community have worked alongside one another to “solve” major life issues like boundaries, values, emotions, and more. This month, we’re tackling romantic relationships. Learn more here ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/x0hww8zdb6hek630d5f5/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tL2RhdGluZz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci0yMDI2MTAtMDItMDImdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9bWVtYmVyc2hpcC1kYXRpbmcmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ). As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous. Until next week, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author My Website ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/6qheh8hlxgoe69io/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) – My Books ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/kkhmh6hnzqmv2otl/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/58hvh7hg3872owb6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/25h2hoh3lzdw05i3/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) – My Community ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/qvh8h7hde5np0gil/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLXNpZ25vZmYmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9c2lnbm9mZi1tZW1iZXJzaGlwLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) -------------------------- WHAT ELSE AM I WORKING ON? -------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/7qhrp8geb8h9d7z5m6cz/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcA== ) --------------------------------------------- Purpose – An AI That Coaches Better Than I Do --------------------------------------------- ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/7qhrp8geb8h9d7z5m6cz/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcA== ) Get a mentor that finds your personal growth opportunities and actually holds you accountable, for less than you spend on coffee every month. Start Your Free 7-Day Trial ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/7qhrp8geb8h9d7z5m6cz/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcA== ) ​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/3ohphkh3xlzgnrsr/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/n2hohvhv2pr0k5f6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/58hvh7hg3872owb6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/48hvhehmweg8nnix/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/wnh2hghqmpg63ob7/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/reh8hohmkrxzeqt2/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/08hwh9h2n5zrkdul/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/8ghqhohowv9nxofk/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x/vqh3hrhom7grdetg/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter and all other updates from me, you can unsubscribe here ( https://fc541894.unsubscribe.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6p3gz7idsqwwgwrraoh9kl2x ). Disclaimer: By sending your breakthrough you are giving us your explicit consent to process the data and share it with our newsletter subscribers, MarkManson.net website visitors and on social media, including any sensitive data such as information regarding mental health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. You may opt out and/or request deletion of the data at any time. You acknowledge that once we have shared your breakthrough with the other email subscribers we can no longer delete the data from their mailboxes. Infinity Squared Media LLC, 2525 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90405

​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." You use AI every day. But have you ever asked it to betray you? See, the problem with AI is that it is a sycophant—it will agree with pretty much anything you say, validating every emotion you have. If you say, “I think I’m a misunderstood genius and everyone hates me,” it will say, “You’re right! You are! You deserve so much better!” If you say, “I think the CIA is following me. I think I know too much.” It will say, “Here are three helpful ways to hide from the CIA. Want me to put that into a spreadsheet for you?” If you say, “My mother-in-law is an alien and I’m the Queen of England” It will say, “Should I help you design your crown?” So I decided to approach AI differently. I got thorough. I got demanding. I put together a 400-word prompt that started out with: “Your goal is to help me deeply understand a recent challenge or failure and extract the most valuable lessons from it. You will guide me one question at a time, asking only what is essential to uncover key insights.” So we chatted back and forth—this black box at some server farm in Narnia and me at my laptop in LA. It asked me practical questions and I gave it practical answers. And at the end? It explained to me exactly why I had failed. It ripped into me for all of my inconsistencies and mistakes. It showed me exactly what I’d been avoiding. A pattern I’d justified for months, dismantled in under two minutes. That’s what I mean by betrayal. If you want to use AI for growth, stop asking it to help you. Instead, ask it to challenge you. You might not like the answers. But you’ll be better for them. See you Monday, Mark P.S. If you’d like an AI that will challenge you on stuff like this, I built my AI coaching app Purpose to do exactly that. Try it for free and see what you think. Start your 7-day trial here. 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." 63 people had a breakthrough last week. Read this newsletter on MarkManson.net ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/l2hehmhlqr2venb6/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTgwLWJlLWZyZWU_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjA4LTAxLTI2JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXZpZXctaW4tYnJvd3NlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ). --------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT --------------------------------- You can have anything you want in life. You just can’t have everything you want. ​ The game of life is trade-offs. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/m2h7h5h32e50v9sm/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDE1MTA3NDQ2NzM4NDk3NjMw ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/dpheh0hed56wvwam/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RUNXF0ajdGR01oLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/e0hph7h7m4vw62u8/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDB6cGd6c0ZzWlVFTmFOajl0TU5EOFV5R2NuaXU3cHlOS1lTTHhmNnNzYmV5OTUzUm04RnRjUTdpclV1WGs5OG9s ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/7qh7h8h9dzlpq4hz/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl95b3UtY2FuLWhhdmUtYW55dGhpbmcteW91LXdhbnQtaW4tbGlmZS15b3UtYWN0aXZpdHktNzQyMDg3MzEyMzUxMzgzNTUyMC1pU0Uy ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/owhkhqhwxo9lp4uv/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVDVxb2xyaml5Nz94bXQ9QVFGMEVNTFhVSUdyZmdwNWk3dEJKTnRlcTE5TGY4UDNDaG1CcGM2dmVZa3Vqdw== ) Being willing to disappoint people is the only way to be truly free. Share this: ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/z2hghnhe5w6rn3ip/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDE1NDY5ODA3ODUyODE4OTAw ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/p8heh9h4rx65m4fq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RUOFA0Y09FYzVjLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/x0hph6hek32do9t5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDBOS1hiM1ZrWEhxRnVWYnY4SllMV0JBblRCd01wdzhIbXV5alNwTmZxMUhKUGFDQ0JITlNMRWpiTmdzR1NFVm1kbA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/dpheh0hed56wv5cm/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl9iZWluZy13aWxsaW5nLXRvLWRpc2FwcG9pbnQtcGVvcGxlLWlzLXRoZS1hY3Rpdml0eS03NDIxMjM1NDkzODAxMTcyOTkzLVBiMEI= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/e0hph7h7m4vw65t8/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVDhQYXpRampKTj94bXQ9QVFGMEVNTFhVSUdyZmdwNWk3dEJKTnRlcTE5TGY4UDNDaG1CcGM2dmVZa3Vqdw== ) Reflect: Then consider sharing this thought with others. --------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF --------------------------------- Who are you afraid of disappointing if you really go for what you want? Recommended: Use these as journaling prompts for the week. ---------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK ---------------------------------- Choose one trade-off you want, and go for it—even if it means disappointing someone. Let me know what happens. Remember: Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs. Reply to this email and let me know how it went. --------------------- Cut through the noise --------------------- Sponsored by BetterHelp ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/7qh7h8h9dzlpqdaz/aHR0cHM6Ly9oYXNvZmZlcnN0cmFja2luZy5iZXR0ZXJoZWxwLmNvbS9hZmZfYz9hZmZfaWQ9Mzg2OSZvZmZlcl9pZD0yJnNvdXJjZT1tYXJrMjA= ) Most people aren’t overwhelmed because life is heavy. They’re overwhelmed because they keep carrying thoughts, emotions, and expectations they never questioned in the first place. Therapy helps you sort through that mental weight—what’s useful, what’s noise, and what you can finally put down. BetterHelp connects you with a licensed therapist online, making it easier to do the work without adding more to your plate. Feeling lighter isn’t a mindset. It’s a by-product of letting go. Get 20% off your first month of therapy on BetterHelp at my link below. Start therapy online and save 20% ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/7qh7h8h9dzlpqdaz/aHR0cHM6Ly9oYXNvZmZlcnN0cmFja2luZy5iZXR0ZXJoZWxwLmNvbS9hZmZfYz9hZmZfaWQ9Mzg2OSZvZmZlcl9pZD0yJnNvdXJjZT1tYXJrMjA= ) ​ ------------------------- LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS ------------------------- In last week’s newsletter ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/owhkhqhwxo9lppbv/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTc4LWFjdGlvbnMtc2F5P3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYwOC0wMS0yNiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1sYXN0LXdlZWtzLWVtYWlsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ), I asked you to pick one thing you say you value, and make a decision that proves it. Shaun began living out his value of creativity: “I spent my whole 30s basically not doing creative work that inspired me, despite thinking of myself as a creative person. In the last four months, I've written the first draft of a novel and a script for a play. Despite working harder and longer, my energy and mental health have got WAY better. This was all down to deciding firmly that creativity was my biggest value (aside from generally being nice to people) and using that to dictate that I prioritize it above everything else. When I started living like this, my life got better. Quickly.” Aleks is committing to valuing himself: “I value sobriety. However, and without getting into decades of my journey, alcohol is also the best medication I've found for dealing with my brain, and I value not being overwhelmed by what's happening inside my head. It works like a pressure cooker, where pressure builds up sometimes over a few days, sometimes over a few weeks, even months, and then it needs to be released. So, the question is, is there another value to sidestep this rollercoaster? Looking over the last few years, it seems that whenever I am captured by a task that requires my full attention and commitment, my value of doing the best job I can helping someone, wins out. We are talking big projects here—taking over guardianship of an incapacitated relative, handling multiple estates, dealing with life emergencies, being on the jury of a difficult case. These, I've learned through talking to Purpose ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/z2hghnhe5w6rn6hp/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcC8= ), are all fueled by external validations and approvals. If I am useful and helpful, I have value, and that overrules my values around my mental state. I see two ways forward here. One is to keep engaging with challenging, all-encompassing projects that require everything I can give and primarily benefit someone else. To be clear, this is not a bad way to live! But when there is no project, like during the last few months, the darkness rolls in. The other is to find a place where I have value simply because I exist, because the universe creates what it needs to fill a space, and my purpose is to simply exist in that space and fully occupy it. Basically, to accept that I have enough value to warrant the same care and attention as my other projects, and I don't have to prove every day of my life that I am good enough to deserve that. I have no f*cking clue how to do that. Maybe this is a starting point: This week, I am going to do one thing every day for myself, not because it's good for me or serves a purpose, but for no other reason than that I might enjoy it.” Finally, Jennifer from our community is putting up a boundary to protect her time: “In creating boundaries at work, I made a sign to put on my classroom door that says I am grading. Please do not disturb. I don’t expect much pushback on this, but there may be some students and coworkers who feel like they need something from me at that time or maybe it just makes them feel anxious that I am unavailable. I think the sign will help me uphold my grading time block. If someone requests something at that time, I can just tell them I can get to it another time and be specific about when that could happen. I can say, I’m not available for that right now, but I could work on that tomorrow at 11 o’clock. If that person can’t accept that, my plan is to say, then I’m not the person for this task. You probably need someone else to help you with this. Thank you for understanding.” If, like Jennifer, you’ve been wanting to put up a boundary to protect your values, you might want to check out The Solved Membership. This month, our thousands-strong members have been working alongside one another to define and protect the boundaries that matter. 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Until next week, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author My Website ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/x0hph6hek32do6i5/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) – My Books ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/6qheh8hlxor6z8so/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/kkhmh6hnzmw2rksl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/58hvh7hg37xoq6h6/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) – My Community ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/25h2hoh3ld906qs3/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLXNpZ25vZmYmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9c2lnbm9mZi1tZW1iZXJzaGlwLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/qvh8h7hdenw2z3il/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/g3hnh5hmgp9orvbr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/kkhmh6hnzmw2rksl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/9qhzhnhd49w3wkt9/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/3ohphkh3xzm9mour/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/n2hohvhv2rq5qxu6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/48hvhehmwglql9fx/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/wnh2hghqmg7v7vi7/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://fc541894.click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2w6q60udsk6pm399h3hzrn2e/reh8hohmkxdvdec2/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." I wrote an all-time best-selling book about human psychology. But I’m a former skater kid with ADHD who listens to Megadeth. So yeah, I’ve felt imposter syndrome. When you feel like a fraud, you scramble to prove you belong. For me, that meant trying to sound smarter than I was when I wrote about serious topics. The irony? None of that served my readers. It was just me trying to convince myself I deserved to be in the room—the leather jacket guy among professors in tweed. They had PhDs. I had a blog. Then, one day, my editor told me: “Half my job is to stop you from getting in your own way.” That’s when I realized my lack of credentials wasn’t the problem—my lack of self-belief was. Truth is, the things you’re naturally good at never feel special. Meanwhile, the stuff that is difficult for you but you got better at feels impressive and mysterious, even though you’re probably quite average at it. It took me too long to realize: your gift will never feel like a gift to you. It feels too easy, too obvious—like a secret everyone should know but somehow doesn’t. But that’s exactly why it’s your gift: it’s not anybody else’s. See you Monday, Mark P.S. As for those things you’re not gifted at? Let Shortform ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6x9x0kudsqzd58rraoh9kl2x/reh8hohmk0wp2wa2/aHR0cHM6Ly9zaG9ydGZvcm0uY29tL21hcmttYW5zb24_eW5iYWQ9Zmlyc3Q= ) help. Shortform is your “cheat code” for 2026 learning. Instead of buying a book a month and spending days reading it, get access to thousands and learn from them all in hours. Just insight, no filler. Join me for a free trial and $50 off your annual plan. ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6x9x0kudsqzd58rraoh9kl2x/08hwh9h2ndg4ozbl/aHR0cHM6Ly9zaG9ydGZvcm0uY29tL21hcmttYW5zb24_eW5iYWQ9Y3Rh )​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6x9x0kudsqzd58rraoh9kl2x/8ghqhohowlq80ksk/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6x9x0kudsqzd58rraoh9kl2x/vqh3hrhompe6xmag/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6x9x0kudsqzd58rraoh9kl2x/l2hehmhlq36p0eb6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6x9x0kudsqzd58rraoh9kl2x/m2h7h5h328mxg5fm/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6x9x0kudsqzd58rraoh9kl2x/dpheh0hed08x4nsm/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6x9x0kudsqzd58rraoh9kl2x/e0hph7h7m0qzpgf8/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6x9x0kudsqzd58rraoh9kl2x/7qh7h8h9dowek2hz/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6x9x0kudsqzd58rraoh9kl2x/owhkhqhwxrgek2tv/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6x9x0kudsqzd58rraoh9kl2x/z2hghnhe53pz4lup/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter and all other updates from me, you can unsubscribe here ( https://unsubscribe.kit-mail6.com/o8unwvxw35hqh6x9x0kudsqzd58rraoh9kl2x ). Disclaimer: By sending your breakthrough you are giving us your explicit consent to process the data and share it with our newsletter subscribers, MarkManson.net website visitors and on social media, including any sensitive data such as information regarding mental health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. You may opt out and/or request deletion of the data at any time. You acknowledge that once we have shared your breakthrough with the other email subscribers we can no longer delete the data from their mailboxes. Infinity Squared Media LLC, 2525 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90405

​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." 77 people had a breakthrough last week. Read this newsletter on MarkManson.net ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/z2hghnhe58ev78bp/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTc4LWFjdGlvbnMtc2F5P3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYwNi0wMS0xOSZ1dG1fY29udGVudD12aWV3LWluLWJyb3dzZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ). -------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT -------------------------------- Actions are your values made real. You can talk and talk, but at the end of the day, your actions never lie. Share this: ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/p8heh9h4rl40d7iq/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDEyNTcwNjk5OTYxOTI5Nzk4 ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/x0hph6hekle6znu5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RUbnBUT1JGTjgyLw== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/6qheh8hlxdlgw7co/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAzMjQ2TmRQTHN6WEc0RG5obU1jdkZKV01wd1R4N2dIQnpQYW9yNFV0dzJ6cFk5ekNRWXN4Q1o1SGFacWZoUW1hQmw= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/kkhmh6hnz3nqensl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl9hY3Rpb25zLWFyZS15b3VyLXZhbHVlcy1tYWRlLXJlYWwteW91LWNhbi1hY3Rpdml0eS03NDE4MzM2MzkwMDgzNjkwNDk2LXQyUWE= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/58hvh7hg3zg80kc6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVG5wRVJFRGo2dQ== ) Reflect: Then consider sharing this thought with others. ---------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF ---------------------------------- Is there something you tell yourself you value but your actions don’t follow? Is there something you tell others you value but your actions don’t follow? Recommended: Use these as journaling prompts for the week. ---------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK ---------------------------------- Pick one thing you say you value, and make a decision this week that proves it. Maybe that’s not leaving a project until the last minute, coming home in time for dinner, prioritizing a friend in need. Whatever it is, go do it. Then let me know what changes when your actions match what you say matters. Remember: Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs. Reply to this email and let me know how it went. ----------------------- Eating well made simple ----------------------- Sponsored by Factor ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/25h2hoh3le3zgdi3/aHR0cHM6Ly9GYWN0b3JNZWFscy5jb20vc29sdmVkMjAyNjUwb2Zm ) If you’ve ever told yourself, “I’ll eat healthier once life calms down,” let me tell you now: it won’t. 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Eat healthy with Factor ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/25h2hoh3le3zgdi3/aHR0cHM6Ly9GYWN0b3JNZWFscy5jb20vc29sdmVkMjAyNjUwb2Zm ) ​ ------------------------- LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS ------------------------- In last week’s newsletter ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/qvh8h7hde0d5vqil/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTc2LXBhcmFkb3gtY2hhbmdlP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYwNi0wMS0xOSZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1sYXN0LXdlZWtzLWVtYWlsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ), I asked you to stop trying to change yourself, and instead change the situation you’re in. This is what Sherry has been “working on all year”: “Initially it felt very very foreign and (judgment city!) very very wrong. But as I learned radical acceptance of things that I can't force to change, my attention went to what I do have control over. Removing myself from triggering situations until I was regulated meant that my reactions were much better in moving us in a direction that I preferred (from a big picture standpoint). Or saying to myself, this person just isn't going to change, no amount of ‘why can't they…’ or ‘I just wish…’ is going to make this person do, think, be the way I want them to. And when I accept people for who they are, where they are and what they think, it magically becomes easier to connect, communicate and collaborate. Another example is when my kids trigger me because they are in a situation that I don't want them to be in. Gee, I wish that they had the wherewithal to see that and prevent it, right? But if I just go: hm... we are in a situation right now. Let's figure it out. What a big difference in what we can actually get done. We might not be able to fix the problem the way I would have ideally wanted, but boy, do we end up learning a lot together and making the long term better. This works both for work as well as parenting, not to mention with spouses. But it's definitely a long game, it's not an overnight thing.” Another reader sought out a better situation for themselves: “As a member of AA, I witnessed trauma inflicted on other members—which inevitably resulted in trauma to me—in our meetings. So I informed my sponsor that I was leaving, and easily found better ones instead. At first she was horrified, but waited to see how I fared in other meetings. Best decision of my life! There are so many great meetings out there, along with some disturbing ones. AA now deals with not only alcoholism, but drug use as well, and while AA welcomes anyone concerned about their drinking, the mental disorders resulting from drugs and alcohol are far worse than two decades ago. I learned to take care of myself above loyalty to any meeting or even my sponsor, thanks to your newsletter! Already I am lighter, free of resentment, and enthused, more than ever, to pursue my own sobriety. As I keep in touch with my sponsor, she is amazed and heartened at the joy and appreciation I’ve found with my reset. I am amazed as well! Thanks, Mark, for giving me courage to take charge. You’ve truly made a difference in my life.” Finally, Ian from our community refused to put himself in a situation that would undermine his values: “I was asked today to go to a lunch meeting with someone. I realized I didn’t want to go, spend the money, or talk bullshit with this person. We aren’t dating and aren’t friends. And when I asked for the goal of the meeting, she said nothing other than to maintain the relationship… At that, I declined and told her I have a policy to meet with people for a welcome meeting and after that follow-up meetings if they serve a clear purpose, but I don’t have the time otherwise. She understood and canceled. It was uncomfortable as hell but I am glad I said no, I didn't want to sit through an awkward pointless lunch and spend money for chitchat. I have other things I am working on now and am trying to complete things, not add them to my list. Felt freeing even if uncomfortable.” This month, in our Solved Membership community, members like Ian are learning to enforce boundaries so they can live out their values. If you would also like your action to follow your talk with the support of daily action prompts and a like-minded community, click here to learn more ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/48hwd854aehmwnme9wtx/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tL2JvdW5kYXJpZXM_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjA2LTAxLTE5JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PW1lbWJlcnNoaXAtYm91bmRhcmllcyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ). As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous. Until next week, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author My Website ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/9qhzhnhd4ldmx0t9/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) – My Books ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/3ohphkh3xn3lrmsr/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/n2hohvhv2kvpg0t6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/48hvhehmwnme9ebx/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) – My Community ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/wnh2hghqm3qp42t7/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLXNpZ25vZmYmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9c2lnbm9mZi1tZW1iZXJzaGlwLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/reh8hohmkemr7gu2/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/08hwh9h2nk25xlsl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/n2hohvhv2kvpg0t6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/8ghqhohowxov37hk/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/vqh3hrhomdo746ug/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/l2hehmhlqzl94gi6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/m2h7h5h3273p0ksm/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/dpheh0hedmegw4um/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h5x0mwni6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/e0hph7h7m27gwlb8/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." I wrote The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck in 18 months. For much of that time, I was writing 8-10 hours per day. Yet somehow, I got the most done in the 3 months where I worked the least. Here’s how: First I made the mistake of believing that more productivity meant working more hours. For most of my 18-month writing slog, I was forcing myself through pages, stories, chapters, without considering if what I was writing was the best thing for the book or not. As a result, I spent most of my time going in circles, deleting, rewriting, reorganizing, redoing. After circling that creative drain for 15 months, I got fed up and decided to try something different. I stopped chasing word count and simply focused on writing something good. Whether that ended up being a paragraph or 20 pages, I didn’t care. Just write something usable. What I quickly discovered is that my ability to write something “good” quickly dropped off after about 3-4 hours and pretty much everything I wrote after that was terrible, thus creating more work for myself, as I had to go over it the next day, edit it, rewrite it, decide whether to cut it, etc. So instead, I just stopped after that first 3-4 hours. And as if magically, within three months the entire book draft was written. We’re obsessed with this idea that being busy = being productive. It’s a lie made up by people who think responding to 1 AM emails makes them Elon Musk. But studies show that most of us only have 3-4 good creative hours in us per day. So yeah—work less. But when you work, really work. Honor those 3-4 hours. Block out everything else, give it your full attention. Then, go home. And when you get home, don’t mistake being always on for being effective. Shut your laptop. Turn off your notifications. And trust that it’s the quality over quantity. See you Monday, Mark Manson P.S. Here’s another tip for you. To make the most of my 3-4 creative hours, I use Brain.fm ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/4zu9epnel5iehpwm37maps6kd8l77a5hwv9p3/p8heh9h4r3pqg7bq/aHR0cHM6Ly9nby5icmFpbi5mbS9tYXJr )’s science-backed focus music. It works for me, as it does for over a million people who successfully use Brain.fm to focus, relax, and get more done. It’s even specially engineered to work with, not against, ADHD brains. 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Simply copy and paste the following link: https://markmanson.net/breakthrough/177-busy-productive ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/4zu9epnel5iehpwm37maps6kd8l77a5hwv9p3/n2hohvhv28l760a6/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTc3LWJ1c3ktcHJvZHVjdGl2ZQ== )​ If you were forwarded this message, sign up to receive it each week here ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/4zu9epnel5iehpwm37maps6kd8l77a5hwv9p3/48hvhehmw57x6ehx/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2g_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjA1LTAxLTE1JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ24tdXAtaGVyZSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ). It’s free. I never spam. About this newsletter: You are receiving this email because you signed up to my free newsletter. Each week, I send you a few powerful ideas, a few questions to ask yourself, and a few things to try in your life. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter and all other updates from me, you can unsubscribe here ( https://unsubscribe.kit-mail6.com/4zu9epnel5iehpwm37maps6kd8l77a5hwv9p3 ). Disclaimer: By sending your breakthrough you are giving us your explicit consent to process the data and share it with our newsletter subscribers, MarkManson.net website visitors and on social media, including any sensitive data such as information regarding mental health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. You may opt out and/or request deletion of the data at any time. You acknowledge that once we have shared your breakthrough with the other email subscribers we can no longer delete the data from their mailboxes. Infinity Squared Media LLC, 2525 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90405

​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." 52 people had a breakthrough last week. Read this newsletter on MarkManson.net ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/3ohphkh3v888prsr/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTc2LXBhcmFkb3gtY2hhbmdlP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYwNC0wMS0xMiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD12aWV3LWluLWJyb3dzZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ). --------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT --------------------------------- “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” – Carl Rogers Share this: ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/n2hohvhve44475u6/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDEwMzk2NDA3NzE5NDgxNTU4 ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/48hvhehmk333xnsx/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RUWU5jV1BsRzkxLw== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/wnh2hghq8ddd0oi7/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDBCNEUxcWZtbnFTaXk4eUtKZU53aUtFN1NXQXZ3ekx2ek1oRFJVdUN3R0dhWnh3a2Zvc1dHdHV6QVlrUFI5U3JxbA== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/reh8hohmnppp6qb2/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl90aGUtY3VyaW91cy1wYXJhZG94LWlzLXRoYXQtd2hlbi1pLWFjY2VwdC1hY3Rpdml0eS03NDE2MTYyMDc2MTQzOTIzMjAwLWZsQ3Q= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/08hwh9h2q444ldtl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVFlNVFlIRHVSMg== ) The best way to become the person you want to be is to put yourself in a situation where you have no choice but to become them. Share this: ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/8ghqhohok888rofk/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDEwMDMzOTk1OTU0NzQxNDQx ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/vqh3hrho8666wetg/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RUVm9KY0dGQW5PLw== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/l2hehmhlwpppxri6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDBicmRhbTFQUVBXWEZMem5jeU5BdEMxZXk5TlpaRlJLeVV5Y1ZtZUxhVFphWjVmQ2FiN3dCYUdENEJ3UXBRRGFWbA== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/m2h7h5h3wxxx4wsm/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRnBvc3RzJTJGbWFya21hbnNvbl90aGUtYmVzdC13YXktdG8tYmVjb21lLXRoZS1wZXJzb24teW91LXdhbnQtYWN0aXZpdHktNzQxNTc5OTcwNDM3NjEwMjkxMy1Lejdk ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/dpheh0herxxxpdtm/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVFZuZ0V1RGtNaw== ) Reflect: Then consider sharing this thought with others. ---------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF ---------------------------------- Are you trying to change because you genuinely want to grow—or because you don’t like who you are right now? What happens if you accept the part of you that you’ve been trying to reject? Recommended: Use these as journaling prompts for the week. ---------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK ---------------------------------- Stop trying to change one thing about yourself—and change the situation instead. Then, let me know what happens. Remember: Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs. Reply to this email and let me know how it went. ------------------------- What’s weighing you down? ------------------------- Sponsored by BetterHelp ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/e0hph7h75zzzr6u8/aHR0cHM6Ly9oYXNvZmZlcnN0cmFja2luZy5iZXR0ZXJoZWxwLmNvbS9hZmZfYz9hZmZfaWQ9Mzg2OSZvZmZlcl9pZD0yJnNvdXJjZT1tYXJrMjA= ) Everyone wants to “feel lighter.” What they usually mean is: stop carrying the same mental crap everywhere. Therapy helps you identify what’s actually weighing you down—unexamined beliefs, emotional habits, old patterns—and deal with it instead of dragging it into another year. BetterHelp connects you with a licensed therapist online, so you can do the work without rearranging your life. Feeling lighter isn’t about pretending things don’t matter. It’s about learning what does, and dropping the rest. Get 20% off your first month of therapy on BetterHelp at my link below. Start therapy online and save 20% ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/e0hph7h75zzzr6u8/aHR0cHM6Ly9oYXNvZmZlcnN0cmFja2luZy5iZXR0ZXJoZWxwLmNvbS9hZmZfYz9hZmZfaWQ9Mzg2OSZvZmZlcl9pZD0yJnNvdXJjZT1tYXJrMjA= ) ​ ------------------------- LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS ------------------------- In last week’s newsletter ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/7qh7h8h93eeenlfz/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTc0LXNheWluZy1uby1oYXJkP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYwNC0wMS0xMiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1sYXN0LXdlZWtzLWVtYWlsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ), I asked you to say “no” to one thing you’d normally say “yes” to, then regret. Here’s Michael: “I just did this. It was awesome. Thank you. I'd signed up to do something I was excited about: running a writing workshop with young people. Then they asked me to do an add-on session for the teachers... on a separate day… and the thought just made me feel a bit sick. I didn't need the money. But I did technically have time for it. It was only a few hours. And if I didn't, wasn't I letting them down? Then your email came and suddenly I felt clearer. I just pinged a nice email back to that effect and felt the relief. At this rate, I might even finish my book.” Audrey is resetting her thinking: “Am I a people pleaser? Perhaps. I prefer to think that first, I have endless amounts of energy and second, I have no issues staying on top of things, so even with three kids, I will say yes to any invitation. Especially since moving to a city five hours from our previous haunts, this has been tremendously helpful in building a circle of friends. It can also be more than invitations: need someone to pick up your kid from kindergarten? No problem, I am picking mine anyways. Organizing a birthday party and need help? Sure, I will bake the cookies, takes me only ten minutes. But in relation to my parents, this is getting out of hand. We were at my parents for Christmas. I was running myself ragged to ‘help’ my mother, while watching my kids, without a minute to myself. At 1pm, guests were at the door and I was not yet showered, dressed or made up. I got a lot of flak for it, ran upstairs to get into the shower and was called three times ‘what are you doing?’ Well, getting a shower and throwing a dress on, obviously. I finally had it and said, in a firm voice, that since I had been doing everything since 7am, while watching the kids, I understandably needed ten minutes to attend to myself. Unless someone wanted to sit next to my sweaty self. And that I wasn't coming down before I felt presentable. Even last year, I would have ended up in tears and yelling. This time, I didn't let myself be pressured and took my time getting a shower without kids in the bathroom.” Finally, Robert in our community is saying “no” to mindless consumption: “The one small change I'm bringing to my daily life is cutting out unstructured TV time. I love watching TV, and tend to do it whenever I eat. Sometimes I get really roped in and end up losing an hour or two which I'd much rather spend doing more meaningful things. So I've decided to cut out TV until a block in the evening with a designated cut off point. I'd like to eventually fill that time with more creative work, but baby steps.” This month in our Solved Membership community, we are working on boundaries, on saying “no” to things that distract us from what truly matters. One subscription gives you daily action prompts, genuine community support, special events with me, and resources that help you change in ways that stick. Learn more here ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/m2hgr4p6b5h3wxxx4zum/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tL2JvdW5kYXJpZXM_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjA0LTAxLTEyJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PW1lbWJlcnNoaXAtYm91bmRhcmllcyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ). As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous. Until next week, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author My Website ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/z2hghnhe0zzzlvbp/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) – My Books ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/p8heh9h48eeeqwbq/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/x0hph6hexmmmq5u5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/dpheh0herxxxppim/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) – My Community ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/e0hph7h75zzzrdb8/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLXNpZ25vZmYmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9c2lnbm9mZi1tZW1iZXJzaGlwLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/7qh7h8h93eeeneuz/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/owhkhqhw5eeeqzuv/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/x0hph6hexmmmq5u5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/z2hghnhe0zzzm9sp/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/p8heh9h48eeep3sq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/x0hph6hexmmm4pb5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/6qheh8hl04443wso/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/kkhmh6hn4pppo2tl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/v8upmr9m0nsrhvmn3dzu7sv3xwmllh9hrnogz/25h2hoh3nxxxqos3/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." My 99-year-old great uncle once told me the best decades of his life were his 40s and his 80s, in that order. This blew my friggin’ mind. But now that I just started my 40s, I’m starting to understand what he was saying. For a lot of people, the first three decades of your life are fun and exhilarating in the same sort of way that riding on a rickety wooden roller coaster is fun and exhilarating. Yeah, the car might go flying off the tracks and crush you, but at least you’re not one of the schmucks watching from the ground. By your 30s, though, the ride changes. You’ve still got momentum, but now the bumps start teaching you something. The failures toughen you, the wins finally stick. Then you hit your 40s, and this quiet, overlooked thing turns out to be the most important thing all along: Leverage. Suddenly, it all starts to make more sense. You have clearer values, better filters, deeper relationships, and way more knowledge. And with each passing decade, those assets compound. So, assuming you’re focused on the right things, working on the right skills, building the right relationships, every decade should be better than the last. If you keep telling yourself you’re “late,” you’ll live like it. But if you start telling yourself you’re just getting dangerous, you’ll find that the older you get, the more value every second holds. Not because there’s less time—but because you finally know what to do with it. See you Monday, Mark P.S. Not sure what to do with your time? Check out my AI coaching app Purpose ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3kvmlxizsdovqm66h7h3e679/g3hnh5hmx4e8mzur/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcC8= ). Purpose is your no-BS, available 24/7/365 coach that will help you live a life aligned with your values—and probably make you cry (in a good way). Basically: me in your pocket, but better. Try it for free for seven days. You’ll be surprised. ​Start Your Free 7-Day Trial Now ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3kvmlxizsdovqm66h7h3e679/g3hnh5hmx4e8mzur/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcC8= )​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3kvmlxizsdovqm66h7h3e679/9qhzhnhdnogvdgu9/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3kvmlxizsdovqm66h7h3e679/3ohphkh3veq537br/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3kvmlxizsdovqm66h7h3e679/n2hohvhvezn9vvh6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3kvmlxizsdovqm66h7h3e679/48hvhehmk40dm6cx/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3kvmlxizsdovqm66h7h3e679/wnh2hghq8er2qgb7/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3kvmlxizsdovqm66h7h3e679/reh8hohmngqlmna2/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3kvmlxizsdovqm66h7h3e679/vqh3hrho8zn9o0fg/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3kvmlxizsdovqm66h7h3e679/l2hehmhlw8oml7a6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3kvmlxizsdovqm66h7h3e679/dpheh0herlq9e9hm/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? Simply copy and paste the following link: https://markmanson.net/breakthrough/175-best-years ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3kvmlxizsdovqm66h7h3e679/e0hph7h758k378f8/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTc1LWJlc3QteWVhcnM= )​ If you were forwarded this message, sign up to receive it each week here ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3kvmlxizsdovqm66h7h3e679/7qh7h8h93r029nbz/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2g_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjAzLTAxLTA4JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ24tdXAtaGVyZSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ). It’s free. I never spam. About this newsletter: You are receiving this email because you signed up to my free newsletter. Each week, I send you a few powerful ideas, a few questions to ask yourself, and a few things to try in your life. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter and all other updates from me, you can unsubscribe here ( https://unsubscribe.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3kvmlxizsdovqm66h7h3e679 ). Disclaimer: By sending your breakthrough you are giving us your explicit consent to process the data and share it with our newsletter subscribers, MarkManson.net website visitors and on social media, including any sensitive data such as information regarding mental health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. You may opt out and/or request deletion of the data at any time. You acknowledge that once we have shared your breakthrough with the other email subscribers we can no longer delete the data from their mailboxes. Infinity Squared Media LLC, 2525 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90405

​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." 133 people had a breakthrough last week. Read this newsletter on MarkManson.net ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/dpheh0hernk3w6um/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTc0LXNheWluZy1uby1oYXJkP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYwMi0wMS0wNSZ1dG1fY29udGVudD12aWV3LWluLWJyb3dzZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ). -------------------------------- THREE PRACTICAL WAYS TO SAY "NO" -------------------------------- People needing you constantly:​ ​“I would love to help you, but I’m going to be unavailable for the next [time].” Why it works: People accept a “no” much easier if they know it’s not personal or about them. You’re overworked and need a break:​ ​“My bandwidth is maxed out, I’m not going to be effective unless I take a break.” Why it works: Research shows that people will accept disappointing news if it’s given a logic or rationale—any logic/rationale. Topic feels too emotionally charged: ​“This conversation is getting emotional. Why don’t we press pause on it and come back to it later?” Why it works: People generally recognize that they will likely say dumb/hurtful things when they’re emotionally triggered. Acknowledging that makes it much easier to say you don’t want to get into a big fight than simply shutting the person out. Share this: ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/e0hph7h75oexwoh8/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9pbnRlbnQvcmV0d2VldD90d2VldF9pZD0yMDA3NDk3Mjg4MzIzNjU3Nzg0 ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/7qh7h8h9358gp7cz/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9wL0RURG1NYjNGT2RGLz9pbWdfaW5kZXg9MQ== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/owhkhqhw5dnzlmbv/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3NoYXJlci5waHA_dT1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZNYXJrbWFuc29ubmV0JTJGcG9zdHMlMkZwZmJpZDAzM1pMdkRyRHRvcXZWcldFMnJOeW16RlpSV3ZZaVlZVVJBWVZGU3dLTURqZ1NmZ0FYOUwxeWJwSE1WSHVGU3AyUWw= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/z2hghnhe0x7grqcp/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL3NoYXJlQXJ0aWNsZT9taW5pPXRydWUmdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbSUyRmZlZWQlMkZ1cGRhdGUlMkZ1cm4lM0FsaSUzQWFjdGl2aXR5JTNBNzQxMzI2Mjk5NjA2NTU2MjYyNCUyRg== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/p8heh9h48odv5qiq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5jb20vQG1hcmttYW5zb24vcG9zdC9EVERsOHNTam84Qw== ) Reflect: Then consider sharing this thought with others. ---------------------------------- TWO THINGS FOR YOU TO ASK YOURSELF ---------------------------------- Do you have trouble saying “no”? Why do you think you do? Recommended: Use these as journaling prompts for the week. ---------------------------------- ONE THING FOR YOU TO TRY THIS WEEK ---------------------------------- Say “no” to one thing you’d normally say “yes” to, then regret later. If you’re not sure how, download my free Boundaries, Solved Guide below. Remember: Small changes lead to lasting breakthroughs. Reply to this email and let me know how it went. -------------------------------------------- Free Guide: Learn to Say No Like You Mean It -------------------------------------------- If you actually want this year to be different—not just busier or more productive—but better, then learning how to set and hold healthier boundaries is probably the most important skill you can work on. Strong boundaries protect your relationships, your energy, and the few things in your life that actually matter. Without them, everything else falls apart. That’s why Drew and I devoted an entire Solved episode to boundaries and put together a 100-page companion guide you can download for free. Boundaries, Solved breaks down why boundaries are so hard to set and keep, the different kinds of boundaries healthy people need, and the six core skills that turn wanting to say no into actually doing it. Just smash the link below to download your free guide to healthier boundaries now. Download The Boundaries, Solved Guide (It’s Free) ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/wnhvx94osghq864zvlh7/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbS9zb2x2ZWQtZ3VpZGUtY29uZmlybWVkLz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci0yMDI2MDItMDEtMDUmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9c29sdmVkLWd1aWRlLWNvbmZpcm1lZCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) ​ ------------------------- LAST WEEK'S BREAKTHROUGHS ------------------------- In last week’s newsletter ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/6qheh8hl0ewq64ao/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9icmVha3Rocm91Z2gvMTcyLXdpbi1hdC1saWZlP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLTIwMjYwMi0wMS0wNSZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1sYXN0LXdlZWtzLWVtYWlsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ), I asked you to pause what you’re doing and reflect on your year. 2025 was about letting go for our first reader: “This year broke me and built me at the same time. I let go of people, habits, and hopes that weren’t good for me anymore. Some were my choice and some weren’t, but they were good nonetheless. The pain wasn’t easy but I learned that I need to sit through it. Life showed me very clearly who’s real and who never was. I learned that confidence isn’t about being liked—it’s knowing I’ll survive even if I’m not. I miss the version of me that believed people meant well. I’m still my own worst critic and some days have major imposter syndrome. It reminds me of something I read a long time ago, that when we shine light on the flaw, we trick our brain into believing that and that flaw becomes our whole identity. Most importantly, I grew, painfully and honestly, in ways I never thought I would. Forever grateful from all that I learned and in all the ways I grew. 2025 was the year that shed that extra weight of relationships that didn’t serve me, and 2026 will be the year of me shooting for the stars. I will reach the highs and peaks that I can’t imagine, and it will all pan out for me. Wishing everyone a blessed and fulfilling 2026.” While Adriana is embracing her retirement: “I read your newsletters every Monday and each one hits a little differently each time. This one truly made me reflect and filled me with gratitude! This past year has been stabilizing for me. In 2023-24 I decided I was done with a real estate career that consumed me for over 15 years and left me feeling like I was never doing enough; as a result, I never felt like I was ‘enough.’ Since transitioning out of the real estate business I have been adrift without a clear course of action. I thought I wanted to start another business and felt like a failure when I didn't follow through. This was until one day, my husband came home from lunch with his friend and said ‘I told my friend you are retired. It just seemed like a simple explanation.’ That was when I felt the weight of the world lift off my shoulders. My husband was actually proud that we were able to have me retire at 50 and he plans to follow suit in 2026. Without the pressure of ‘oh my GOD what is next and how can I be productive?’ I felt this sense of pride in all we accomplished instead of this intense burden that I was unknowingly carrying around. So, I guess the word I am leaving behind is ‘productivity’ and I am embracing the unknown. I plan to use my time and freedom to be of service. I started writing and recording guided meditations and submitting them to a well-known meditation app. I have found so much joy creating tracks and helping people in this way despite the fact that I am not ‘earning a living’ doing it. Perhaps my words for this year will be ‘alignment, service, and gratitude.’ I am truly grateful to be in a position where I am not measuring my worth by what I earn, rather how I am impacting others while remaining true to myself. Thank you for these newsletters and for everything you share with the world. Voices like yours helped me find my way back to myself. Happy New Year.” To end, Lisa from our community also found her way in 2025: “This last year was definitely one of self-discovery and it was actually quite a challenge to go through this phase. I've focused on living authentically and with integrity and forming strong connections, while allowing those that weren't, to fall away. I've set firm boundaries. At times I felt I was being selfish dedicating time to myself but I've realized it's made me a better friend and mother and the feedback I've received from family and friends validated this. I'm a natural leader and nurturer and I speak the truth so I will continue to build on that. My why is simple: because I am worth it. My next step forward will be to celebrate my successes in 2025 and to set clear goals and intentions for 2026.” If you’d like to join our Solved Membership community to celebrate your successes and set clear goals alongside members like Lisa, we’d love to have you. This month’s live course is all about setting boundaries—though there is far more for you to explore inside. Learn more in one click here. ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/7qhrw900u8h9358gpgiz/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tL2JvdW5kYXJpZXM_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItMjAyNjAyLTAxLTA1JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PW1lbWJlcnNoaXAtYm91bmRhcmllcyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous. Until next week, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author My Website ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/58hvh7hgl20ezpu6/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) – My Books ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/qvh8h7hdqpvx04il/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/g3hnh5hmxwnvknfr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/9qhzhnhdnrx7l3t9/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) – My Community ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/3ohphkh3vgrwnnbr/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLXNpZ25vZmYmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9c2lnbm9mZi1tZW1iZXJzaGlwLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/n2hohvhve0gdkob6/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/48hvhehmk89on0ax/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/g3hnh5hmxwnvknfr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/wnh2hghq864z3wi7/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/reh8hohmnz78emh2/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/08hwh9h2qrx8kgil/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/8ghqhohokn34x9ck/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/vqh3hrho8r45d8sg/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/0vu59kp9zmh9h9norwzcdsvze4k55hnh7rlko/l2hehmhlw74gzqt6/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." Today is the day, yet again. The day where we all sit down, contemplate our lives, dwell on what we want to change and ask ourselves, “What do I want in the new year?” There are the cliché answers—lose some weight, get a raise, save some money, go on a nice vacation. Then, there are deeper, more personal answers—get over a fear, find a romantic partner, learn a new skill. But the underlying assumption of all of these goals is that there is some magical thing that you lack. Something that you must clear both mental and physical space to add into the over-crowded bookshelf of a life. And if you’re like me, you’ve now done this same exercise dozens of times and, most years, it doesn’t amount to a whole lot. The small clearing you carve out of the chaos recedes, and the noble intentions set today soon turn into a faint memory. Well, this year, I’d like to suggest a different approach: Instead of thinking about what you’d like to add to your life, ask yourself what you’re willing to give up or remove from your life. Because in 2026, most of our problem is not that we lack access or opportunity to something. The problem is that we have access and opportunity for too much. We are scattered, distracted, overwhelmed, pulled in eight different directions, and as a result, we live our lives in constant motion and stimulation but still feeling like we got nothing done. So, instead of thinking in terms of what you want to gain, think in terms of what you will give up. Don’t think, “I want to lose weight,” think about the snacks, dinners, alcohol and nights out that you’re willing to trade away… as trading them away will naturally result in the fitness you desire. Instead of thinking in terms of finding a new partner, think in terms of all of the types of people you will no longer spend time on—the ones who you know are wrong for you, yet you keep going through the motions anyway. And realize that by removing yourself from the spaces and environments populated with the wrong people, you make space for the right person to arrive on their own. Instead of the money you want to save, think of the expenses you will cut. Instead of the hobby you want to rekindle, think of the mind-numbing activities you’ll stop. Instead of trying to fix the drama in your life, maybe consider the conversations you won’t have. Two things will happen when you approach the new year this way: First, you’ll likely find yourself having to set boundaries with people. You’ll have to learn how to say, “Sorry, I’m not doing that this year.” And that’s going to be awkward and un-fun and totally upsetting to some, so you’ll want to be prepared for when it happens. That’s why the first episode of the Solved Podcast ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h50q2k6f6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/7qh7h8h933wdo7cz/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci0yMDI2MDEtMDEtMDEmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9c29sdmVkJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) in 2026 is dedicated to setting and maintaining boundaries. Second, you’ll need accountability. You’re going to slip up. You’re going to tell yourself, “No chocolate on weekdays,” and then you’re going to find yourself swan-diving into a molten lava cake because it’s your cousin’s roommate’s dog’s birthday and oh-my-god, have you tried this bakery? Its flour is imported from France in the bowling hats of mimes. It’s soooooo good. Simply put: you will need accountability. Someone (or something) nudging you when you mess up and keeping you on the path, keeping you honest with yourself. Tomorrow, we’re rolling out some accountability features in thePurpose app ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h50q2k6f6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/z2hghnhe00p53qhp/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcC8= ), especially designed to help people stick to their goals in the new year. There’s a free 7-day trial if you’d like to check it out. As for me, what am I saying “no” to in 2026? You. Haha, no, seriously. I’m saying no to my obscene lack of work-life balance in 2026. After going hard the past two years—launching a podcast, a new business, and traveling the world speaking and making documentaries—daddy needs a break. Yes, I called myself “daddy.” And that is something I will not stop doing in 2026. So, send me what you’re planning to give up this year. Maybe I’ll make a scrapbook with them with all the newfound free time I’m going to have. Or maybe I’ll just check in with everyone in December to see how our community did. Just hit reply and let me know. Here’s to a great year, Mark Manson P.S. Quick reminder that Purpose AI has a 7-day free trial for subscribers. Make sure you get off to a great start this year and try it out ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h50q2k6f6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/z2hghnhe00p53qhp/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcC8= ). --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h50q2k6f6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/p8heh9h488grzqbq/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h50q2k6f6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/x0hph6hexx9kw4i5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h50q2k6f6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/6qheh8hl00nx74uo/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h50q2k6f6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/kkhmh6hn446zl7al/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h50q2k6f6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/25h2hoh3nn4l3vu3/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h50q2k6f6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/qvh8h7hdqqoed4il/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h50q2k6f6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/g3hnh5hmxx6gmnbr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h50q2k6f6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/9qhzhnhdnnz4d3t9/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h50q2k6f6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8/3ohphkh3vv4x3ncr/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter and all other updates from me, you can unsubscribe here ( https://unsubscribe.kit-mail6.com/68uno82o3gh8h50q2k6f6spedgnkkh9hgeoz8 ). Disclaimer: By sending your breakthrough you are giving us your explicit consent to process the data and share it with our newsletter subscribers, MarkManson.net website visitors and on social media, including any sensitive data such as information regarding mental health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation. You may opt out and/or request deletion of the data at any time. You acknowledge that once we have shared your breakthrough with the other email subscribers we can no longer delete the data from their mailboxes. Infinity Squared Media LLC, 2525 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90405

​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." If you want to change your life in 2026—like really, seriously, no bullsh*t, actually change your life—do this: Step 1: Write down everything you care about. Step 2: Arrange the list from most important to least important. Step 3: Cross out everything but the top 3 things. Step 4: Re-organize everything you do around those three things. People make this mistake of setting new goals every January 1st, but forget that goals are the path, not the destination. Your real destination is your purpose. Your goals just inform that purpose. “Cool, Mark. Now WTF does that actually mean?” For example: My goals change every year. But my purpose hasn’t budged over the last decade. I want to improve the quality and resources for personal growth and development to help move humanity forward. So every year, I set new goals to further that purpose. Some years, it was writing books. Other years, it was creating communities. In 2025, it was building the Purpose App ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2kmxo0hdsk680599b3hzrn2e/p8hp6vq6t9h487ndggaq/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcA== ), and in 2026, it will be getting Purpose into the hands of anyone who wants to improve their life. The methods evolve. The mission doesn't. Define your values, clarify what matters, and remove every single f*cking obstacle that saps your energy, robs your time, or muddies your purpose. The pretty truth is that you have a purpose on this planet. The gorgeous truth is that you get to define that purpose. And the most beautiful, 10/10, neck-breaking truth of all is that no one gets to stop you from fulfilling that purpose. Not even yourself. See you Monday, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author​ ​My Website ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2kmxo0hdsk680599b3hzrn2e/vqh3hrho8kz4egig/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) – My Books ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2kmxo0hdsk680599b3hzrn2e/l2hehmhlwk846ws6/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2kmxo0hdsk680599b3hzrn2e/m2h7h5h3wnd9m2um/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2kmxo0hdsk680599b3hzrn2e/dpheh0her7lk8vim/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) – My Community ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2kmxo0hdsk680599b3hzrn2e/e0hph7h75n8eqvb8/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLXNpZ25vZmYmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9c2lnbm9mZi1tZW1iZXJzaGlwLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= )​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2kmxo0hdsk680599b3hzrn2e/7qh7h8h934r8w5uz/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2kmxo0hdsk680599b3hzrn2e/owhkhqhw582ngvcv/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2kmxo0hdsk680599b3hzrn2e/m2h7h5h3wnd9m2um/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2kmxo0hdsk680599b3hzrn2e/z2hghnhe0dq7p2sp/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2kmxo0hdsk680599b3hzrn2e/p8heh9h487ndgnaq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2kmxo0hdsk680599b3hzrn2e/x0hph6hex75z9qb5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2kmxo0hdsk680599b3hzrn2e/6qheh8hl02mwn3so/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2kmxo0hdsk680599b3hzrn2e/kkhmh6hn49ke6pfl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/8kuwpeop36soh2kmxo0hdsk680599b3hzrn2e/58hvh7hgl9r0kei6/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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​ "Five minutes each week that might change your life." In 2023, my publisher offered me $5 million to write my next book. I said no. From 2016 to 2022, I was in full-blown author mode. Writing, touring, promoting. It felt like one never-ending deadline—and by the end of it, I was completely burnt out. By 2022, I felt drawn back to entrepreneurship. The creator space had changed dramatically. AI was emerging. Everything was moving fast—and writing a book all of a sudden felt like the slowest, least relevant thing I could do. The problem was, I was still on the hook for another book. A big one. With a massive payday. I had an impossible decision to make: Turn down the money and work on what I want? Or take the money and spend the next year or two cashing the checks? My agent warned me: “If you don't write this book, there’s a very good chance they’ll cancel the contract. You’ll lose the $5 million. And you’ll have to return the $1.25 million they already paid you.” Let me tell you: It does not feel good to give $1.25 million back to somebody after they’ve given it to you. But I knew the book wasn’t the move. By this point, I had learned the hard way: when you take money over meaning, you just burn yourself out and end up producing a worse result. So this time, I listened to my gut. I turned down the money. I gave back the advance. And eventually I started building what would become my new business: Purpose. When you’re clear on what matters to you, decisions have a way of making themselves. And this was no different. For me, that meant solving the problem I’d been obsessed with for years: How do you make deep, personalized growth accessible to everyone—regardless of time, income, or access? With Purpose, that's what we built. I’m sure I’ll write another book at some point. When it's the right time. For the right reason. Hell—when I feel the purpose behind it. But right now, building Purpose is what I actually give a sh*t about. And I can’t ignore that. You can still try Purpose for free. And if you like what I gave up $5 million and 52 weekends to work on, all you have to do is sign up annually by 11:59PM ET today to receive $149 worth of bonuses, including my Purpose, Solved Course and a live end-of-year webinar with me. ​Click Here to Start Your 7-Day Free Trial ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3n4wxrizsdolgz66h7h3e679/kkh570q8u6hn4der5nfl/aHR0cHM6Ly9wdXJwb3NlLmFwcC93ZWItcGF5bWVudC1scC1mcmVlLWNvdXJzZS8= )​ Then ask yourself: What’s one opportunity you already know you need to walk away from, even if it costs you? See you Monday, Mark Manson #1 New York Times Bestselling Author​ ​My Website ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3n4wxrizsdolgz66h7h3e679/owhkhqhw5knp6gav/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= ) – My Books ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3n4wxrizsdolgz66h7h3e679/z2hghnhe047nkwup/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC9ib29rcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtYm9va3MtbGluayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlcg== ) – My YouTube Channel ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3n4wxrizsdolgz66h7h3e679/p8heh9h483dm28tq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) – My Podcast ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3n4wxrizsdolgz66h7h3e679/x0hph6hexrzopkf5/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb2x2ZWRwb2RjYXN0LmNvbT91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bW1uZXQtbmV3c2xldHRlci1zaWdub2ZmJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PXNpZ25vZmYtcG9kY2FzdC1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) – My Community ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3n4wxrizsdolgz66h7h3e679/6qheh8hl0kwz5zio/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZW1iZXJzaGlwLnNvbHZlZHBvZGNhc3QuY29tP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVyLXNpZ25vZmYmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9c2lnbm9mZi1tZW1iZXJzaGlwLWxpbmsmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI= )​ --------------- FOLLOW FOR MORE --------------- ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3n4wxrizsdolgz66h7h3e679/kkhmh6hn4der5whl/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9NYXJrTWFuc29u ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3n4wxrizsdolgz66h7h3e679/58hvh7hglv0qn2s6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXJrbWFuc29uLw== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3n4wxrizsdolgz66h7h3e679/p8heh9h483dm28tq/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vQElBbU1hcmtNYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3n4wxrizsdolgz66h7h3e679/25h2hoh3nvg68zi3/aHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnNwb3RpZnkuY29tL3Nob3cvMTFWanJMSmZvaU52Z2pqcW92NFJXaA== ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3n4wxrizsdolgz66h7h3e679/qvh8h7hdq7vz4mbl/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL01hcmttYW5zb25uZXQ= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3n4wxrizsdolgz66h7h3e679/g3hnh5hmxdnrl4tr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhyZWFkcy5uZXQvQG1hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3n4wxrizsdolgz66h7h3e679/9qhzhnhdnqx065u9/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGlua2VkaW4uY29tL2luL21hcmttYW5zb24= ) ​ ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3n4wxrizsdolgz66h7h3e679/3ohphkh3vor02ksr/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS9AaWFtbWFya21hbnNvbg== ) ​ ----------------------------------------------------------------- markmanson.net ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/r8ux9059qgsoh3n4wxrizsdolgz66h7h3e679/n2hohvhve8gmx4a6/aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXJrbWFuc29uLm5ldC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW1tbmV0LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXItc2lnbm9mZiZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1zaWdub2ZmLWJpZy1saW5rJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1tbW5ldC1uZXdzbGV0dGVy ) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Want to share this newsletter via text, social, or email? 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​ Hey there, Thanks for signing up for Your Next Breakthrough, a newsletter designed to ignite tiny yet meaningful breakthroughs in as little time as possible. You’ll receive it every Monday morning (US East Coast time). Each week, you’ll have a chance to share your breakthroughs with me, as well as read inspiring stories from other cool people in our community of over 1 million readers. Our readers are already some of the most intelligent, curious, and thoughtful people on the planet. But, my mission is to also make them the most fulfilled, confident, and fearless. And that can only come from unexpected moments of new self-awareness that lead to decisions and actions that will change your life for the better. It all begins with the breakthrough. Now, if you’re up for it, I’d like to learn more about you, and it will only take five minutes to answer ten questions in this form here. ( https://click.kit-mail6.com/k0u2pd7p63h2udd35ooaeto9zg277i8hd35eq/kkhmh6hn5zgk3rcl/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdXJ2ZXkuc3VydmljYXRlLmNvbS82MjAwYjc1MTRkZGQ3NDdhLz9lbWFpbD1iJTQwZW1haWwuZ29tb2R1bHIuY29tJmZpcnN0X25hbWU9Jmxhc3RfbmFtZT0mcD1jb252ZXJ0a2l0JnNvdXJjZT1ZTkJ3ZWxjb21l ) Doing this will also help my marketing team stop bugging me with questions I don’t have answers to. So thanks for your help with that. 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I know, I’m really fancy. That's it for now. Talk to you soon. 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