Find Your Zen: letting go of the need to prove
Alex Boyd on moving from manic ambition to a healthier drive, setting boundaries, and why a cold plunge and a Costco wardrobe are his keys to success.
Alex Boyd used to think the chip on his shoulder helped him perform. He had that manic drive that comes from an unearthly need to succeed, something he says a lot of us have when we feel like we have something to prove. He was pleased to find out he was wrong. He told me his potential is more uncapped now that he’s traded that need for a want, a desire to play the game well and find purpose in his work.
His journey gave him some real talk on survival in revenue roles. He warns about the variable reward system of sales comp, which can feel like a slot machine, and advises against letting your lifestyle inflate with your income. When it comes to toxic jobs, he learned from a manager who scheduled meetings at 11 PM that you have to set your own boundaries. No one is going to do it for you.
His approach to well being has three parts. He does the breath work and the cold plunges, but he’s clear that you can’t meditate your way out of a bad situation. Mental health practices are useless if your physical health is a mess or your environment is toxic. You have to work on all three: the physical, the environmental, and the mental.
“My potential is more uncapped with less of that manic drive.”
Notes
- He realized his manic 'need to prove' something held him back, and his potential is higher with a healthier drive based on purpose.
- In a past job, a manager regularly asked for one on one meetings at 11 PM, which taught him to set his own boundaries.
- He made a choice to let go of his anger toward a business partner who manipulated him, paying a huge settlement to move on for his own sake.
- He argues mental health habits are useless without also addressing physical health and environmental health, like a toxic job.