Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen S5E23 - Back on Track
The universal human experience of falling off track and the courageous journey of finding our way back comes under McKay’s scrutiny this week. Analyzing why we wander from our goals, he provides a practical guide for course correction, whether in our careers, health, or personal lives.
Using the inspirational stories of Lindsey Vonn and Bethany Hamilton, McKay shows how our "why" helps us overcome monumental setbacks, and he also draws on the biblical story of Jonah to highlight the importance of acting even when we don't feel like it. Our host then cites such thinkers as Oliver Burkeman and Joseph Campbell in dismantling the myth that we must feel motivated to act, arguing we should instead "follow our blisters, not our bliss" by finding purpose in the work and sacrifice. This episode is a toolkit for anyone who has drifted, offering actionable strategies - like starting small and building rituals - to reclaim their path, emphasizing that progress is about persistence and reminding us that discipline and routine are the true engines of change.
Main Themes:
- Discipline, not motivation, is the engine of progress.
- Wandering is inevitable; the real work is in choosing to return.
- To find your way back, first remember your "why."
- Purpose is found in the effort, not just the enjoyment.
- Momentum is built one small, consistent step at a time.
- Character is built in the small choices you make every day.
Top 10 Quotes:
“Motivation is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up and get to work.”
“Who says you need to wait until you feel like doing something in order to start doing it?”
“Progress doesn't mean perfection. It means returning to the path quicker each time you wander.”
“Don't give in to the immediate feeling. Give in to your true motive.”
“Getting back on track almost always begins by rekindling the reason you cared in the first place.”
“We don't have to get swallowed up by life or things if we face the things we don't want to do and do them anyway.”
“Wandering just doesn't steal our habits; it steals pieces of who we want to be.”
“Small acts of integrity strengthen your integrity muscles.”
“Getting on track requires simple clarity.”
Show Links: