- Scott's Thoughts
- Posts
- Don't Let These 3 Things Ruin Your Life
Don't Let These 3 Things Ruin Your Life
Scott Lynch
May 19, 2025
In partnership with
In partnership with
Hey there,
Ever feel like you’re doing everything “right” but still end up staring at the ceiling wondering what’s missing?
Yeah, same.
You can have the dream job, the accolades, the financial stability—and still feel like something’s off.
Turns out, we’re incredibly talented at sabotaging our own happiness.
And most of the time, it’s not the big stuff. It’s the subtle habits and mindsets that quietly sneak in and take the wheel.
Every December, my family and I escape to The Glen House Hotel, tucked in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
It’s become a sacred reset button. No Wi-Fi. No distractions. Just snow, quiet, and the occasional babbling brook.
Out there, the noise fades, and what really matters starts to come into focus.
That kind of clarity doesn’t come from grinding harder. It comes from stepping back and seeing what’s actually getting in your way.
And often, it’s these three things:
1. Expectations.
They’re sneaky.
You make a dinner reservation three months in advance and expect it to blow your mind.
When it doesn’t? Disappointment.
The same thing happens at work.
You crush a project and start expecting applause every time.
But people aren’t always clapping. And that doesn’t mean you failed.
You can control your effort, not their reaction. That’s why I’ve stopped chasing downloads and comments on my content.
Instead, I ask: Did I give it everything I had?
If yes, I can sleep easy.
2. Validation.
Metrics are seductive in my line of work. Likes, views, subscriber counts—they’re always right there, staring back at me.
But here’s the truth: those numbers don’t measure fulfillment. They’re surface-level.
They don’t capture your growth, your consistency, or your resilience.
When we let them define us, we get stuck playing a game of comparison that no one wins.
So no matter the situation you’re in in life, zoom out. Ask: Am I growing? Am I showing up?
If yes, keep going.
3. Perfectionism.
No one chooses to be a perfectionist—it just kind of happens (trust me, I would know…).
You think, If I just upgrade this one thing… fix this… hit this milestone… then everything will be perfect.
(Spoiler alert: it won’t.)
Because as soon as one “if-then” is met, another one shows up.
Life will always be a little messy—emotionally, digitally, maybe even in your kitchen (Martha Stewart, please don’t look under our cabinets).
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress.
And embracing a little chaos might be the most peaceful thing you ever do.
So here’s your reminder (and mine): Stop overthinking, let go of the expectations, ignore the numbers, and quit chasing flawlessness.
Happiness isn’t found in perfection—it’s found in presence.
And if you need a reset, get to the mountains. Or, at least turn your phone off for a while.
Have a wonderful week, all.
Take a breath, and maybe take a break - Scott (@motivatedscott).
You Don’t Need to Be Technical. Just Informed
AI isn’t optional anymore—but coding isn’t required.
The AI Report gives business leaders the edge with daily insights, use cases, and implementation guides across ops, sales, and strategy.
Trusted by professionals at Google, OpenAI, and Microsoft.
👉 Get the newsletter and make smarter AI decisions.
Love content like this? Then you’ll love my podcast…
Listen to my top 100 health podcast with over 6 million downloads on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Up next on the podcast:
The 5 Minute Rule
Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.