From the Founder, Brian Mazza 12/23
Do you operate inside or outside of the circle?
One of the most difficult things in life is learning to live and function efficiently inside the circle. But what is this circle? Inside the circle represents what’s in my control, while outside the circle represents what’s out of my control. For much of my life, especially before my 30s, I spent too many years living outside of the circle, disconnected from who I wanted to be and failing to show up for myself in the way I deserved.
Life is undeniably challenging, but it becomes much less so when you focus on letting go of the things you can’t control. For years, my insecurities led to a need for control, and I allowed others' opinions, attitudes, and reactions to overwhelm me because I couldn’t dictate the outcome. Over time, releasing that grip on things I couldn't control helped ease my anxiety and boosted my confidence. A pivotal part of this shift was earning my own self-respect, which allowed me to step inside the circle more frequently.
A huge part of this transformation came from pushing myself to do hard things daily, particularly through fitness. By getting into elite physical shape, I inadvertently sharpened my mind. As my body became stronger, my sense of self solidified, and I started to truly embrace who I was.
As the New Year approaches, I recommend you take some time to reflect. Grab a piece of paper and list everything you want to work on, then categorize it: inside the circle or outside the circle. Focusing on what’s within your control will help you move forward with greater clarity and purpose.