7/24/24

​I’m starting to believe that besides death and taxes, the only other guarantee in life is traffic. Even if you’re fortunate enough to not get slowed by traffic on the road, it’s likely you experience traffic of the mind. You know, when thoughts, often repetitive ones, jam the open road of your otherwise well-moving “Mind Highway.” 

While we have navigation apps to help us negotiate road traffic, go-to channels that help us circumvent mind traffic aren’t as easily accessible. 

Sure, there’s always focusing on the breath, returning to the present moment, or reciting calming mantras, but sometimes our Intellect is relentless and we need to help it chill out with some good ‘ol rationality. 

For such instances, it’s worthwhile to apply a concept that I’ll call “Follow Your Lead Gene.” I learned the term “Lead Gene” years ago while listening to Debbie Millman on the Tim Ferriss Podcast. 

Millman said that at the start of her career, she was determined to live and work in Manhattan, so she geared everything she did towards that single pursuit. This “Lead Gene” essentially shaped all of her decision making, such as which jobs to take and how to save money in the short-term so she could eventually afford NYC rent. 

In effect, by actively hyperfocusing on her Lead Gene, Millman’s mind was able to bypass heavy thought traffic that might’ve otherwise gotten her stuck in bottlenecks.

The takeaway then is, if a person wants to reduce the traffic of their mind, they need to get really clear on their personal Lead Gene. For example, if someone decides that their Lead Gene is to live each day with as much energy as possible, then it might become rather simple to eliminate traffic–of all kinds–from their life. 

Keeping the Lead Gene at the fore is certainly similar to stating an intention, but an intention typically comes from the heart. While heart-inspired guides are important and beautiful, traffic-heavy minds can overpower them at times. 

Since Lead Genes are born from our highly rational selves, they can wield a little more force when dealing with an overactive Intellect. Basically, they’re traffic cops that do not tolerate any violators. 

Millman absolutely got to Manhattan. Her career and life soared from there. 

Where will following your Lead Gene take you?