Monday Morning Mentor: Focus on What You Can Control

Monday Morning Mentor: Focus on What You Can Control Jason Wright discusses a New York Magazine article by Xochitl Gonzalez that uses renewed nostalgia for smoking to express a cynical, nihilistic “nothing matters” reaction to a “deranged year,” framed around political events and a belief that the future is too bleak to justify good habits. Wright argues this mindset shows up in everyday life when people give up on health, appearance, and discipline because they feel powerless over society and current events. He shares a lesson from a former manager about concentrating on the “circle” of things you can control and applies it to personal standards: grooming, dressing well, being kind and respectful, working hard, sleeping, eating well, exercising, and staying hydrated. He recounts adopting these habits in college to build character and self-respect regardless of what others do or what happens in the world. 00:00 Welcome and Subscribe 00:22 Provocative Smoking Article 02:17 Reading the Article Excerpt 05:49 Nihilism and Giving Up 07:32 Circle of Control Lesson 08:21 Daily Grooming Standards 10:16 College Habits and Self Respect 12:44 Character and Closing Thoughts