Brothers and Sisters,
There are only 2 categories that matter in this life.
Just 2.
And I’m going to tell you what they are in just a second. But first, let me blow your mind for a moment.
The Trophy Generation
We live in a world obsessed with categories. I’m blown away. Every time I turn around, there’s a new one.
We must continue to create new categories because apparently everyone needs a trophy. Amazon best-selling author? They’ll create a category just for you:
“Congratulations, you’re a 27-and-a-half-year-old female fitness icon who identifies as a cat, lives in Chicago in this specific zip code, on the corner of this specific street, and oh by the way, today it’s overcast. Congratulations, you’re a best-selling author because you meet all these categories.”
And I’ll be honest – even I’m guilty of this. Well, Jay, congratulations – you’re over 50 and got shot in the face, so you too get your own category.
Mind-blowing.
But here’s what happens when we live in a world of endless categories: People start to place themselves in boxes.
“Oh, well, I can’t do this because of my age.”
“I can’t do that because of where I’m from.”
“Maybe I should wait until I’m this age.”
“Maybe I should apply for this job when I’m in this location.”
“Maybe that’s when I should compete for this.”
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
The Only 2 Categories That Matter
Guys, there are only 2 categories that matter in this life: LIFE. And DEATH.
That’s it.
And congratulations – if you’re not dead, it’s not too late.
Stop living your life in fear, compartmentalized by categories that you intentionally or unintentionally place yourself into that are limiting your success and your growth.
Race. Creed. Color. Gender. Demographic. Religion. Height. Sex. Weight. ZIP code. Side of the tracks.
I don’t care what it is. Stop being constrained.
The Pulse Check
We’re going to do a little exercise. Some of you have done this with me before. If you haven’t, I want you to participate right now.
Ready? Two fingers. Put them out in front of you. Bring them up and place them right on the side of your neck.
Got a pulse? JACKPOT.
You are still alive. So guess what, guys? GET AFTER IT.
Today is the day. Not dead. Not too late.
So many of you live your life in fear. You buy into all the doubts. You buy into the demographics.
“Oh, if you’re from this side of the tracks, you’re never going to be successful.”
“Oh, if you’re a female or a male or whatever you are, you’re never going to be able to do this.”
“If you came from this ZIP code, you’ll never find success.”
I’m tired of hearing it. Excuses.
Dead? If you’re dead, I’m going to let you slide. You can lay in your grave and not do anything like the rest of the dead people out there. Good on you.
But alive? You are still able to get after it. You still got a pulse.
Don’t Be a Dead Man Walking
I want to go smoking into that grave. On fire. To be able to say: “I went after it. I tried. I did everything that I could. No regrets because I went after it.”
Here’s the critical thing: There are so many of you out there who are alive but might as well be dead because you stopped living years ago.
You still have a pulse but you’re really dead.
Don’t be a dead man walking.
Go after your hopes and goals and dreams. Stop worrying about what people are going to say. Stop listening to that little nagging voice in the back of your head that’s trying to tell you you’ll never do it.
Everyone has that voice.
Michael Jordan had that voice. Jocko Willink has that voice. Every single one of us has that little voice that tries to tell us we can’t do it.
But here’s the truth: You didn’t make a mistake. You’re just suffering through the hardship of growth and accomplishment.
When you navigate to the other side and you’re still alive – THAT is where the growth, the success, the excellence, and the elite version of you truly happens.
Not dead. Not too late. Get after it.
That’s Monday Muster.
Grab one of my books and some gear and start going after the life you were meant to live.
Stay strong,
Jason Redman
P.S. – Put two fingers on your neck right now. Still got a pulse? Then you have absolutely zero excuses. Get after it.