Lessons From the Mountain Top: Stay Focused

Today’s Topics

• Rewriting History From the Mountain Top 🌋

• Stay Focused 🧐

  5 Mins Read Time

Rewriting History From the Mountain Top 🌋

By Jo

It’s easy to rewrite history when you’re on top of the mountain. From that elevated perspective, we often overlook the sacrifices, struggles, and pivotal moments that paved the way for our success. History can feel like play-doh, being shaped by the storyteller, but it’s crucial to remember the people and lessons that guided us to paradise. Whether it's the leadership of a nation or the dynamics within a family, the threads of the past influence the present.

Think about what’s happening in the leadership of the United States today. Leaders, policies, and decisions are constantly under scrutiny, analyzed through the lens of on-going circumstances. Yet, in many cases, the narratives of the past are rewritten to suit the agenda of the present. While progress and innovation are necessary, there’s value in recognizing the UNTOLD truth of how we arrived here. Leadership, after all, is not just about the victories but also about the lessons learned from missteps and challenges.

Now zoom in on your own life—your family, your upbringing. Reflect on those early years when the backbone of the family consisted of individuals who worked tirelessly, often sacrificing personal fulfillment for the greater good. Many of those who once called the shots—those who provided love, guidance, and structure—are no longer here to shape the younger generation. Their absence creates gaps in fundamental lessons that would have enriched the lives of their grandchildren.

For many parents, the need to provide often takes precedence over the chance to be fully present. They sacrifice moments of connection to ensure food is on the table, bills are paid, and opportunities are available for the next generation. It’s a noble act, but it can come at the cost of missed moments—those precious teaching opportunities that form the bedrock of a child’s character.

This is where we step in, as the inheritors of their legacy. It’s on us to bridge those gaps, to pass down the wisdom, values, and love that shaped us. Even when we’re exhausted, we must find ways to instill resilience, compassion, and ambition in those who come after us. Because the reality is, we are all leaders in our own right. Whether it’s in our families, communities, or workplaces, the way we lead today will determine the stories rewritten tomorrow.

Rewriting history is inevitable, as you move through life, consider this: Are you rewriting history in a way that honors those who came before you? Are you using your position—whether it’s atop the mountain or climbing its slopes—to leave a positive legacy? Life isn’t just about reaching the summit; it’s about ensuring the path you carve uplifts others along the way.

Stay Focused 🧐

By Marcus

Between celebrity accusations and alleged assassinations, the world never ceases to remind us how unpredictable it can be.

If you try to avoid this type of stuff, I’m with you. However, it’s tough and nearly unavoidable when it seems everyone is talking about it.

This is from my YouTube account this week. It’s the moment I knew I lost the plot.

I typically have a balance of three investment or entrepreneur-type shorts in my feed. I’ll take the occasional entertainment short here and there, but when my entire short recommendations were all entertainment-based, that’s a red flag.

The thing about the algorithm is that it serves you more of what you consume. When I’m locked in and focused, I get investment- and business-related shorts and recommendations.

When I stray from the path, I find myself watching a full stand-up comedy special, basketball highlights, and a video game stream. It really gets away from you, but it’s apparent that there is an abundance of this type of content, so it’s easy work for the algorithm to find and recommend more of it.

I think if the algorithm had anything to say about getting me into the mindless loop of consumption, its words would be, “Ha, I got ’em again!”

A Barometer (Quick Check)

I use my YouTube Shorts feed as a barometer of where my attention is being spent. It may not be apparent immediately, but I usually catch on fairly quickly before too much time is spent off task.

Now, there’s a time and place for entertainment, laughing, and consuming lighter content. However, when you are in the trenches day to day, it’s important to be the master of your time and energy.

I understand having a second YouTube account to separate the two would be great, but I like to think discipline should prevail. Using YouTube’s “Watch Later” playlist and creating lists on Twitter(X) are two free tools I use to keep me from going too far in the weeds.

Everyone gets distracted. Build simple systems around you to keep you from veering too far off track.

Stay Focused!