10,000 NOs

CHAPTER 8Surrender

“I was done. I can't even tell you the level of despair. I was just done. I was like, ‘I've hustled my whole damn life. And here I am, it's gone. Everything's gone.’”

—Suzy Batiz, Founder/CEO, Poo∼Pourri, Forbes Top 5 Female Self-Made Millionaires, 2018

I talk a lot about grinding. I won't shut up about work ethic and hustle. But there is something that I've learned relatively recently that can feel like the opposite of hustle and grind, yet can result in great success: surrender. Surrender is a little different than relaxation and meditation, which you'll read about later. Surrender does not always wait for an invitation to join your life. It is a party-crasher. And, while surrender is not always something that is welcome, if it decides to show up, it can't be denied and generally can't be kicked out until it has run its course.

The Art of Fighting Without Fighting

When I was a kid, I loved Bruce Lee movies. One of my favorites was Enter the Dragon. The setup for Lee's character includes a scene in which a bully threatens him. Known for his fighting prowess, Lee's character was a magnet for such meatheads. Riding a boat across a harbor, surrounded by others who were eager to watch a bloody match, Lee accepts the challenge. But, he adds, they should fight on the attached lifeboat where there is more room. He gestures for the bully to climb onto the dinghy and the bully willingly goes, confident he can beat Lee regardless of where they fight. While bantering ...