The Greg McKeown Podcast

311. Essential Trade-offs and Saying Yes with Sam Bridgstock (Part 2)

Jun 27, 2024

In this touching conversation, Sam Bridgstock, who grew up on a farm in North Yorkshire, shares his profound journey living with terminal cancer. He discusses the transformative concept of the 'reverse pilot,' emphasizing how refraining from certain activities can reveal their importance. Sam opens up about managing guilt in prioritizing family over obligations, while also finding joy in the present amidst uncertainty. His heartfelt anecdotes highlight the essence of meaningful relationships and living with purpose, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.

27:30

Episode guests

Sam Bridgestock

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Experimenting with the concept of 'reverse pilot' by not engaging in certain tasks to understand their true impact on priorities.

Balancing the struggle of relationships, obligations, and limited energy while dealing with a serious illness emphasizes the challenges of saying no and coping with guilt.

Deep dives

Prioritizing Essential Tasks

By focusing on what truly matters and allowing less important tasks to potentially resolve themselves, the speaker highlights the concept of a reverse pilot. Rather than constantly chasing every task, considering the consequences of not engaging in them can lead to a more insightful understanding of priorities.

Intro

2min

Navigating Illness and Relationships

7min

Living vs. Dying Essentialism

12min

Embracing Joy Amidst Uncertainty

5min

Reflecting on Inspiring Conversations and Actionable Insights

4min

About the Guest:

Sam Bridgstock grew up on Mount Pleasant Farm in North Yorkshire, England, where he developed a deep connection with nature and a strong sense of duty and prioritization from his experiences on the farm. Despite facing a terminal cancer diagnosis, Sam's unwavering commitment to his family, including his wife Anna and their five children, has been a guiding force in his life. Known for his honesty, wisdom, and humility, Sam's journey exemplifies the essence of essentialism and the power of authentic relationships.

Episode Summary:

Greg invites Sam to share his journey of living with terminal cancer while maintaining focus on what truly matters. This heartwarming conversation delves into how Sam balances his diminished physical capacity with his unwavering commitment to his family, work, and personal values.

Greg and Sam explore the concept of "reverse pilot," choosing to not do certain things to see their actual impact. Sam shares deeply personal stories about managing time and relationships, fighting guilt, and the profound challenge of living an essentialist lifestyle when time is painfully finite. With beautiful anecdotes and heartfelt wisdom, this episode underscores the importance of prioritizing what matters most, finding joy in the present, and fostering meaningful connections.

Key Takeaways:

The Power of the Reverse Pilot: Experiment by not doing certain activities to understand their real impact.

Managing Guilt: Effective prioritization often means saying no to many well-meant but non-essential requests.

Living Essentialism: The importance of maintaining routines and commitments even amidst severe personal challenges.

Choosing Joy: Despite the uncertainty and pain, finding and choosing moments of joy and connection with loved ones.

Resilience in Routine: Sticking to regular activities can provide stability and courage for family members facing impending loss.

Notable Quotes:

"I want to just acknowledge it becomes incredibly insanely hard."

"If I had held on to them and said, I'm protecting you from pain… I wouldn't have had a child who just finished a four-year intense degree at Oxford."

"Life will offer you a chance to be joyful tomorrow if you take it."

"The choice of the essentialist is to choose joy with the people that you love most."

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