Last week, I talked about the paradox of wellbeing and high performance. This week, I want to introduce you to a simple but powerful mindset shift—one that came from an unlikely source: an Arctic Circle endurance event.
A couple of years ago, I took on this challenge with Rat Race, and the night before we started, our guide sat us down for a briefing. He said something that has stuck with me ever since:
“Be arsed.”
Not the most polished turn of phrase, but the meaning behind it was profound.
He explained:
- Be arsed to stop and pull your buff over your face to protect yourself from the cold.
- Be arsed to take off a layer if you’re too hot.
- Be arsed to drink water when you’re thirsty.
Why? Because small actions add up, taking care of yourself in the moment makes the difference between thriving and struggling—whether you’re in the Arctic or sitting at your desk.
The Paradox of Small Actions
We often ignore the small things because we’re focused on the bigger picture. We say:
🚶♂️ I can’t be arsed to step away from my desk.
💧 I can’t be arsed to get a glass of water.
🌳 I can’t be arsed to take a quick break outside.
But these small choices directly impact our energy, mood, and motivation. The things we can’t be arsed to do in the moment are the very things that sustain us in the long run.
A Simple Challenge
This week, I encourage you to adopt this mindset: Be arsed.
Take those small recovery moments, listen to what your body needs, and see how much better you feel. Because in the end, these micro-decisions determine whether you stay energised and resilient—or run yourself into the ground.
Let me know—what’s one thing you’ll be arsed to do this week?
