For most of my adult life, I lived by fixed targets. Success was measured by ambitious goals and my ability to hit them—whether in my professional life at work or personal pursuits. I thought this was the right way to grow, to prove myself. But as time went on, I began to feel something wasn’t right.
The cracks started to show when I realized my constant striving was counterproductive. I wasn’t growing; I was stuck, pushing too hard, setting unrealistic expectations, and losing sight of what mattered. In summary, I was harming myself. The breakthrough came when I decided to let go of fixed targets entirely.
The Turning Point
One day, I asked myself: Why am I doing this? Why am I trying so hard to be more than I am? And then it hit me—I was raised to operate this way. The mind leads, and the poor body follows. I had spent years taking on more than I could chew, rushing toward targets without ever questioning if they were worth it.
Now, I’ve flipped the script. Instead of overloading myself, I’ve learned to take on less. Where I was once indiscriminate, I’m now highly selective. The mind no longer drives; the body leads. High expectations have been replaced with lower ones. Rushing has given way to patience.
Ice Baths: Learning to Let Go
The change was tangible during one of my ice bath sessions. My goal was five minutes at three degrees Celsius. It wasn’t easy, and I dreaded it. I tried to shut out the sensations, just surviving until the timer went off. When I finished, I was shivering, discontented, and wondering why I was doing this to myself.
Then I remembered a principle from Wim Hof: “Do not force.” By chasing a rigid target, I had turned the experience into a struggle. Letting go of the timer, I focused on being present with the discomfort. It transformed the ice bath from a dreaded chore into an exercise in mindfulness and growth.
The Gym: Quality Over Numbers
This realization extended to the gym. My old routine was a numbers game: documenting every set, rep, load, and personal best. Each session was about beating the last. But two things happened: I began to dread exercises I didn’t think I could match, and I compromised form to hit my targets.
It became clear—if I’m going to do something, I better do it properly. Why come to the gym if I’m not going to give it my all, precisely when it matters most? I stopped chasing numbers and started focusing on quality. Now, every movement is intentional. I work slowly, methodically, and with patience.
A New Approach
This shift in perspective wasn’t easy, but it’s been transformative. I’ve begun to align my actions with a deeper sense of purpose. Instead of chasing arbitrary metrics, I’m learning to:
- Be present in the moment
- Work methodically, with intention
- Prioritize quality over quantity
Like Leon’s advice to children practicing music—slow down, play carefully and intently—I’ve embraced deliberate effort over rushed execution. This approach doesn’t just apply to work or exercise. It’s a way of living, a rejection of the high-pressure mindset I once carried.
The Path Forward
The result is clear: I now do the opposite of what I used to do. Before, I took on too much; now, I take on less. Before, my mind drove; now, my body leads. High expectations have given way to lower ones. Rushing has been replaced by patience.
Letting go of fixed targets has brought clarity and peace. It’s no longer about how much I achieve or how quickly I reach a goal. It’s about the journey, the quality of my efforts, and the fulfillment that comes from doing things right. This is my new foundation for growth.