The Power of Five Ideas
The difference between ego and confidence, wealth, how beautiful people are made, and much, much more
Welcome to The Art of Becoming.
The Power of Five Ideas Friday edition. Where we learn five ideas that can change our lives.
The Art of Becoming is a newsletter about finding value in adversity and embracing discomfort. Each week, I share how to find fulfillment, a little joy, be more resilient, wiser, and a little better. It starts with you and me embracing discomfort—by doing hard shit.
Today, we learn how five (small) ideas can change our lives
I hope you join me.
At a glance
What ego and confidence are not. A historical perspective.
A question that keeps me up all night.
A fact I don’t understand.
Quote: How beautiful people are made.
Video: Watch this video before you work out.
The difference between quiet confidence and ego.
So Grant was alone; his most trusted subordinates besought him to change his plans, while his superiors were astounded at his temerity and strove to interfere. Soldiers of reputation and civilians in high place condemned, in advance, a campaign that seemed to them as hopeless as it was unprecedented. If he failed, the country would concur with the government and the generals. Grant knew all this, and appreciated his danger, but was as invulnerable to the apprehensions of ambition as to the entreaties of friendship, or the anxieties, even of patriotism. That quiet confidence in himself which never forsook him, and which amounted indeed almost to a feeling of fate, was uninterrupted. Having once determined in a matter that required irreversible decision, he never reversed, nor even misgave, but was steadily loyal to himself and his plans. This absolute and implicit faith was, however, as far as possible from conceit or enthusiasm; it was simply a consciousness, or conviction, rather, which brought the very strength it believed in; which was itself strength, and which inspired others with a trust in him, because he was able thus to trust himself. –Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 1 [Source]
Ulysses S. Grant had the confidence born in the crucible of war, death, and adversity. He never ran from a fight, and his faith in himself was never conceited or brash. It was the kind that inspired others to follow and trust him.
Now compare Grant to George B. McClellan, Grant’s one-time superior and a man who saw himself as the savior of the Union but was indecisive in war.
“His egotism is simply colossal—there is no other word for it.”—George Templeton Strong
One writer wrote about one man’s quiet confidence, whereas another journalist wrote about McClellan’s ego, not his confidence.
Is your confidence quiet and sure? Does it inspire trust and give a sense of destiny, or are you brash, arrogant, and afraid to act?
Do you know the difference between ego and confidence?
A question that keeps me up at night.
What do my actions say about my life?
If someone watched me throughout the day, like a fly on the wall looking over my shoulder, would they know my priorities?
Our lives are a delicate balance between intent, our values, and our actions.
If you zoomed out and saw your life as one giant tapestry, would you say your intentions and actions align with your values?
A fact I don't understand.
Half the world's population lives on $6.85 a day, while 81 families control more than 50% of the world's wealth.
I can’t see how a small number of individuals and families holding a disproportionate share of the world's resources while a significant portion of the world's population struggles to meet basic needs is a good thing.
How beautiful people are made.
"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."—Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler Ross
Genuine kindness and compassion come from the understanding you develop when you have tasted defeat and lived with suffering and loss. Beauty is not an inherent trait but the result of personal growth and resilience. Looks fade, character does not.
Listen to this speech when you work out.
I woke up Tuesday at 5:45 am. It was dark and cold. A perfect morning. I put this video on my phone as I cranked out 200 burpees and 200 kettlebell swings—a great way to start the day.
Try it.
Thanks for reading. I hope you discover your quiet confidence.
Love to you and yours,
Michael
Skipping, burpees, walking—just do anything. I love what you've been doing, Gurpreet. Your growth and storytelling have skyrocketed since I read your first poem on Medium. I am grateful to have been a spectator on your journey. You are amazing.
I have started working out and this time it's going to be different. I like this idea of yours of 200 burpees but I will be doing 1000 times skipping :)