WHAT IS YOUR ONE THING?
“Simplicity is the key to brilliance.” —Bruce Lee, Martial Artist
In Jim Murphy’s book, Inner Excellence - Train Your Mind For Extraordinary Performance And The Best Possible Life, Murphy discloses his mental training system he developed to empower athletes who became world champions.
Living our best life is what Ascent Life is all about, so of course, I dove into Inner Excellence!
Throughout the book, Murphy teaches many fantastic principles, from overcoming fear, mastering your ego, controlling emotions, and developing beliefs in line with your dreams.
But a section in Chapter 8, A Clear and Present Beauty, stood out to me.
Murphy suggests that in order to live our best lives, we must be truly present, “to have a mind not thinking about the past or future.”
Murphy lists 5 powerful ways to be fully present:
Get out of your head—and into your heart—and soul.
Focus on your routines and only what you can control.
Be grateful (this is a recurring theme in living your best life)
Focus on a mantra.
Ruthlessly eliminate hurry.
Murphy suggests how not being fully present can overload the mind causing clutter and anxiety.
I struggled with anxiety for years.
I would have massive panic attacks in public.
My limbs would go numb, I would hyperventilate, and I would think I was going to have a heart attack.
Through making lifestyle changes, and understanding what a panic attack feels like, I’ve come to nearly completely alleviate my anxiety issues.
But I wish I would have read Murphy’s chapter on mindfulness years ago.
Murphy states, “anxiety is a mind that has too many thoughts, coming from too many concerns.”
He continues, “A mind with too many thoughts and concerns is the result of a heart that doesn’t have one single, unifying devotion.”
Boom!
That’s it!
My anxiety peaked when I was torn between too many obligations, and I wasn’t focused on ONE thing!
Murphy states, “your heart has room for only one all-embracing devotion.”
And, “…you need to simplify your life. You need to sort out your heart.”
Finally ask yourself, “If you had to choose only ONE thing to devote your life to, what would it be?”
Murphy then related a story about 23-time Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps, who in 2014, got a ticket for drunk driving. It sent Phelps spiraling into a desperate depression, one so dark he considered taking his life.
Phelps’ anxiety masked another struggle which was identity.
Phelps was a retired world-class swimmer but didn’t know who we wanted to be. Phelps began to eliminate everything he could from his life to make his life simpler to focus on less things. One thing.
Murphy concludes the section on getting out of your head by stating, “If you simplify your life, focusing on ONE thing that puts the needs of others before your own, you will be present and fearless.”
So, what is your ONE thing?
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Health, Wealth & Inspo links below ⤵️
Cheers, and here’s to living an Ascent Life! 🚀
R. Brandon Long
Below are my favorite weekly links designed to inspire you to live healthy, wealthy & wise.
Note: some newsletter links are affiliate links in which I may earn a commission.
Let’s dive in ⤵️
Personal Growth
Train your mind like the world’s best performers and live with fullness of life.
After five years of full-time research and writing (post Master’s degree) for the book Inner Excellence—two and a half of those years in the relative isolation of the desert—I discovered a powerful, groundbreaking idea.
The heart is the key to extraordinary performance.
In a world of constant comparison and endless noise clamoring for our attention, it’s not surprising we’re caught up in our heads, struggling to live and perform fully engaged, heart, mind and body.
While in the desert, I uncovered another astonishing discovery: the pursuit of extraordinary performance and the pursuit of the best possible life are the same path.
This realization changed my life.
What I like about Inner Excellence: I’m a sports fan, so I love Murphy’s vignettes about athletes throughout the book and their success after using the systems shared in Inner Excellence. Inner Excellence is an entire lifestyle and training system designed to help you perform extraordinarily and live with fullness of life.
Ascent Life Podcast
Fitness as Foundation to Success | IFBB Pro, Dan Saunders
Fitness as Foundation with IFBB Pro Bodybuilder & Coach, Dan Saunders
Healthy, Wealthy & Wise
WELLNESS & WEALTH
Why Muscle Matters for Long Term Health
When most people think about muscle, they picture aesthetics; toned arms, sculpted shoulders, six-pack abs. But the truth is, muscle is one of your body’s most vital health assets. It's not just about how you look; it's about how well your body functions.
We’re breaking down why building and maintaining muscle is key to your overall health, performance, and longevity.
Fortune Favours the Bold (and the Lucky)…
In the world of business, the narrative often revolves around meticulous planning, bold strategies, and visionary ideas. Yet, some iconic companies owe their origins to something far less predictable: serendipity. From fluke discoveries to surprising pivots, the role of chance in shaping success is a fascinating reminder that even the best-laid plans are not always the path to greatness
Hedley Studios: Drivable Automotive Art Takes Global Stage
This past summer, Hedley Studios—the only atelier creating drivable automotive art in collaboration with Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, and Ferrari—expanded its global presence with a series of headline-making appearances across Europe and the United States. The studio, known for its scaled, hand-crafted recreations of legendary cars, brought its rare creations to some of the most exclusive cultural and luxury events of the season.
Lend Me Your Ears: The Latest In Sound Technology
From design-driven earphones to next-generation hearing aids, the latest audio innovations are redefining the way we listen.
Sound has always been more than utility. It is how we communicate, build memory, create ritual. From headphones that put studio-grade clarity in your commute to turntables reborn as heirlooms, the latest wave of audio technology brings together craftsmanship with innovation.
Inspiration
INSTA INSPIRATION
Ascent Life: @ascentlife.
Resources
Financial Planning - Baxter, Porter, Smith & Associates at Ameriprise Financial
Personal Training - Dan Saunders, IFBB Pro // Personal Trainer
Business Buying & Selling - Bizniz Resouce
Start Your Own Newsletter - Beehiiv
Start Your Own Online Merch Store - Fourthwall
Ascent Life Store
The only merch that reminds you to live your best life!
