Over the past few weeks, I’ve spent more time at events than at my desk.
Rooms packed to the rafters with energy, ideas, and stories. The buzz, the mental stimulation, the ideas, the connection with other humans.
It reminded me of something that I think is rather important.
It’s that spark of aliveness that comes from being with people, other humans. Seeing faces light up, and feeling the vibe in a room.
It reminded me of that iconic line from the film Trainspotting: “Choose life.”
Not in the way the film used it, but in the sense of choosing to be fully alive.
Choosing who you spend time with.
Choosing what and who you let influence you.
Choosing to learn, to question, to reinvent.
I was reminded of this again in a conversation with my friend Brendan. He’s at a crossroads in his career, and has made the decision to train to become a flying instructor. The sense of aliveness, the energy, the vibrancy was palpable
I think as humans, 99% (made up number but you get the gist) of what we do is purely based on what we did yesterday.
It’s very easy to drift into autopilot. Doing what’s expected, staying busy, ticking boxes.
What made you feel alive this week?
A few nights ago, I watched Dead Poets Society for the first time in some 30 years. Robin Williams’ delivers words that jolt like a 24 volt shock:
“I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.”
I think it’s about finding the meaning, joy, playfulness and aliveness in life.
Easy to forget when we live on autopilot.
It’s why I love events and being around focused, smart, and energised people. It’s awakening that Aliveness.
My thought is simple:
Choose life.
Choose rooms that make you come alive.
Choose conversations that spark ideas.
Choose people who remind you who you are when you’re at your best.
Here’s your three experiments to play with!
🚀 The 2-Minute Experiment
Pause and notice one thing today that makes you feel alive. Name it. Write it down.
⏳ The 5-Minute Experiment
Message someone who gives you energy. Tell them why. See what conversation flows from it.
🕰️ The 2 Hour Experiment
Rewatch / Watch Dead Poets Society (my wife had never seen it before) and enjoy the call to “suck the marrow out of life.” Ask yourself: where in your world do you feel most alive? Write down what comes up.