W.I.N. Wednesday: Absorb. Discard. Add.

“Absorb what is useful. Discard what is not. Add what is uniquely your own.”

Bruce Lee

We are continually bombarded with information from a wide variety of sources. That information relates to exercise, nutrition, sleep, learning, training, mental wellness, and a host of other topics. The challenge is to decide who to listen to and determine what do you absorb, what do you discard and what do you add that is uniquely our own.  

Let’s start with the last part, “add what is uniquely your own.” Each of us is unique. We have different body structures, and physical capabilities and limitations. Those will change over time and sometimes will change acutely because of an injury or medical issue. We have different life circumstances and are in different seasons of our life. We have different jobs and different demands because of those jobs. We have different tastes in food. We have different times of day when we prefer to work out, or perhaps when we can work out. We have different access to fitness facilities and equipment. The point here is that there is no “one size fits all” approach to most areas of life.

As far as what to absorb and what to discard, you need to determine your criteria for the information and the sources of that information. Is it evidence based, research informed and can it be practically applied? Is it practical for you? Is it doable with your realities? Is it cost effective and affordable? Is it something you will stick with for the long term or is it a gimmick, fad, hack, or secret?

I use the three criteria of evidence based, research informed and practically applied to determine who I listen to. For example, three of the sources I trust for health-related issues are Matt Walker PhD, Benjamin Bikman PhD, Andrew Huberman PhD, and Peter Attia MD. Why? Because everything they talk about is evidence based and research informed. They are very cautious about offering an opinion, but when they do, they are very clear that it is an opinion, an informed opinion but an opinion none the less. They are also willing to say, “I don’t know.”, and to change their beliefs based on new evidence. Like a lot of people, I listen to Andrew Huberman and Peter Attia’s podcasts to access information. They cite the sources of their information and I know that the guests are vetted and credible. Some of the information is very applicable to me for where I am at in my life and my health, and I absorb it, and apply it in a way that works for me. Some of the information they cover is not useful to me, so I discard it. Some of the information is not applicable based on the unique elements of my life, so I discard it. With some of the information I add what is uniquely my own based on a lifetime of research, experimentation, successes, and failures and knowing me, my situation, my needs, and my physical abilities and limitations at that point in my life.

I have other trusted and vetted sources of information for other areas of my life, including my learning and growth.

You need to figure out who you are going to use as reliable sources of information. Once you do, determine what you will absorb, what you will discard and what you will add that is uniquely your own. Absorbing might require tweaking and adjusting and is about principles and concepts and not just specific protocols or regimens.

On this journey remember to embrace the philosophy of “Strong beliefs, loosely held.” Be willing to change your beliefs and strategies when new, more compelling evidence is revealed to you. Be prepared to tweak and adjust as you go. Figure out what works for you and be careful about the dogma and belief that there is only one way for everyone. My way is A Way. It is not The Way.

P.S. It may be helpful to read a little more about Bruce Lee’s life and philosophies. The book Be Water My Friend by his daughter Shannon Lee is a good place to start.

Take care.

Brian Willis

www.lifesmostpowerfulquestion.com. 

ONE QUESTION BRINGING FOCUS AND CLARITY IN THE CHAOS AND COMPLEXITY OF TODAY'S WORLD.

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