The Art of Living a Conscious Life (And Why We Suck at It)

The Brutal Truth About Our Lives

It is not important that you become a good fighter in this world; what is important is that you live a pleasant life, and in the best case, help others to do the same. -Shi Heng Yi. Shaolin Monk

Let’s start with a hard pill to swallow: most of us are winging it.

We stumble through life like someone trying to walk home drunk, hoping to somehow land in the right place. We scroll mindlessly, consume endlessly, and complain about how “busy” we are.

Deep down, we know something’s off. We buy self-help books and watch motivational YouTube videos. Maybe even sign up for a meditation app—but nothing sticks.

Why?

Because we don’t have a system.

And let me be clear: having a system isn’t about waking up at 4 a.m., taking ice baths, or journaling your “gratitude” like a robot.

A system is about creating a life that actually works—a life that feels good to live.

That’s the goal.

Not perfection. Not being some productivity ninja.

Just living a pleasant life and maybe even helping a few others along the way.

Why Living A Conscious Life Matters (Even If It Sounds Like Hippie BS)

Conscious living is about waking up—literally and figuratively.

It’s about getting off autopilot and starting to make deliberate choices. Where you spend your time, energy, and attention.

Because here’s the thing: your life is a reflection of your choices.

And most of us are making crappy ones.

We chase after things we don’t actually want. We follow scripts handed to us by society, our parents, or Instagram influencers.

We ignore our health, neglect our relationships, and wonder why we’re so miserable.

Living consciously doesn’t mean you’ll never screw up or have bad days. It just means you’re aware of what’s happening and intentional about how you respond.

The Great Philosophers Were Onto Something

Let’s talk philosophy for a minute—because, honestly, the old guys nailed it.

1. Stoicism:

Marcus Aurelius had this idea that we should focus on what we can control and let go of what we can’t.

Sound simple? It’s not.

Most of us obsess over things we can't change—like the weather, the news, or other people’s opinions.

Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one. - Marcus Aurelius

Stoicism teaches us to focus inward, where the real power lies.

Want a better life?

Start by controlling your thoughts, emotions, and actions.

2. Buddhism:

Buddha had this crazy notion that life is full of suffering. Most of that suffering comes from clinging to stuff.

We cling to our desires, our egos, and our need for validation.

And it’s exhausting.

The mind is everything. What you think you become.– Buddha

Mindfulness—the practice of being present—helps us let go of all that mental clutter.

It’s not about “fixing” yourself. It’s about seeing things clearly and realizing you’re already enough.

3. Existentialism:

Guys like Viktor Frankl and Jean-Paul Sartre remind us that life has no inherent meaning. It’s up to us to create it.

Scary? Maybe.

Liberating? Absolutely.

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. Viktor Frankl

When you embrace the idea that you are responsible for your life, it’s both terrifying and empowering.

You stop blaming others and start taking ownership.

The Science of Why You’re Stuck

Now, let’s shift gears and talk psychology—because your brain is a jerk sometimes.

1. Negative Thinking Patterns:

Your brain is wired to focus on threats. It’s great for survival but terrible for happiness.

Ever noticed how one bad comment can ruin your day, even if you got 50 compliments?

That’s negativity bias at work.

2. Procrastination:

Ah, procrastination. The ultimate form of self-sabotage.

We delay the important stuff because it’s uncomfortable. Instead, we chase the dopamine hit of Netflix or social media.

That's our negative habits kicking in. The reward for our crappy habit is a bigger payoff than the reward for doing something better (but harder).

It's a hell of a lot easier to ignore than to do.

3. Emotional Regulation:

Most of us suck at dealing with emotions.

We either suppress them (bad idea) or let them run the show (also a bad idea).

Learning to feel your feelings without being ruled by them is where the game changes.

The Big Problem (And How to Solve It)

Here’s the real kicker: the biggest obstacle to conscious living is you.

We make excuses:

“I don’t have time.”

“I’m too old to change.”

“What if I fail?”

These excuses are just fear in disguise.

Fear of failure, fear of change, fear of stepping outside your comfort zone.

The solution?

Start small.

You don’t need a total life overhaul. Just take one step toward being more intentional.

6 Steps to Building Your Art of Living System

Let’s get practical. Here’s how to create a life system that doesn’t suck:

1. Self-Awareness:

You can’t fix what you don’t understand. Spend time getting to know yourself—your triggers, patterns, and values.

Journaling helps. So does therapy.

2. Habits Over Goals:

Forget big, lofty goals until you nail the habits. Use your goals as the end-game.

But your habits are the game-winning plays.

Focus on small, consistent habits that compound over time.

Want to get fit? Start with 10 minutes of exercise a day.

Want to write a book? Write 100 words daily.

3. Mindfulness:

Take 5 minutes a day to just sit and breathe.

Seriously. That’s it.

Mindfulness isn’t about becoming a Zen master. It’s about training your brain to be present.

4. Simplify Your Life:

Clutter—physical or mental—is the enemy of clarity.

Get rid of the stuff you don’t need. Say no to things that don’t align with your values.

5. Build Better Relationships:

Rugged individualism is a cornerstone for resilience, sure. It helps us understand that no one is coming to save us.

It helps with mindset and how to handle the hard things.

But human connection is a core need that we can't ignore.

It's right up there on Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

Maslow Hierarchy of Needs

Prioritize your relationships.

Listen more. Be present.

And for the love of God, put your phone down during dinner.

6. Focus on What Matters:

At the end of the day, your life is the sum of how you spend your time. Spend it wisely.

Look deep. Prioritize what really matters to you.

The Books That Changed My Life

Here’s a cheat sheet of some extra wisdom:

1. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle: Live in the moment.

2. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl: Find your “why.”

3. Atomic Habits by James Clear: Small habits, big results.

4. The Art of Living by Thich Nhat Hanh: Mindfulness 101.

5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey: Timeless wisdom.

My Personal Wake-Up Call

Let me tell you a story.

For years, I was stuck in a cycle of self-sabotage. On the outside, everything looked fine. But inside? I was a mess.

I drank too much. Ate too much.

Avoided my problems like they were the plague.

Eventually, my body started fighting back.

Chronic pain and inflammation were my wake-up calls.

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. – Nelson Mandela

I knew something had to change. So, I got real with myself.

I stripped my life down to the essentials. I cut out toxic relationships. I broke the bad habits. I looked deep.

For the first time in my life, I focused on what really mattered.

Was it easy? Hell no.

Was it worth it? Absolutely.

The Big Benefit of Conscious Living

Here’s what you get when you start living a conscious life.

• More clarity: You stop wasting energy on things that don’t matter.

• Better relationships: You connect on a deeper level.

• Less stress: Mindfulness helps you let go of what you can’t control.

• More joy: You start noticing the little things that make life beautiful.

And the best part?

You become the kind of person who inspires others to do the same.

Closing Thoughts

The truth is, living a conscious life isn’t some magical destination.

It’s a practice—a messy, imperfect, beautiful practice.

You’ll screw up.

You’ll have days where you fall back into old habits. That’s okay.

The point isn’t to be perfect. The point is to keep showing up.

So, take a deep breath. Start small.

And remember: the life you want is built one intentional choice at a time.

Until next time,

Jerod

P.S. Here's my not so subtle plug;-)

If your looking for a life system to help you live a more conscious life check out these two resources:

1. Life Track Method. It is a custom-built system to break bad habits and replace them with good ones. Habit is the first step. This is a different than most habit trackers. It's a system because it not only helps with the physical habits, but also the mental and spiritual habits. You can read more about it here: The Rugged Human Life Track System.

   
   

2. Here's the big Kahuna. As I was talking about in this letter, it tackles everything. I call it the Prosperity Path. This system is two parts: 1) Remaking yourself from the inside. 2) Honing your efficiency and productivity to maximize your life. It works in tandem with the Life Tracker System (which is included if you join).