Welcome To The Community

Together, we’ll dive deep and find the strength to never give up because Great Things Take Time.

Fresh off the NYC Marathon (or any marathon in general)? Congrats on that Monday morning waddle, you’re proof that Great Things are possible! Everyone tracking you can attest that watching someone’s Great Things also takes time (and a lot of app refreshing).

Speaking of things that don’t happen overnight, so many of you resonated with last Monday’s content about how I view life at 40. I received so many messages from people sharing how aging is a gift or that they needed to hear that their best years aren’t over. It got me thinking about why there was such a strong reaction to this content and what other stories are out there that we tell about ourselves and others. What are you telling yourself that’s taking you out of the game? What story have you made up about someone else that keeps you from human connection?

Here's what's in today's email

• When All You Need Is a Few Conversations

• Moments with Maurice

• Growing Up Black

• What's Got Me Smilin'

If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe and join the Great Things Take Time Community to get content from me every Monday.

When All You Need Is a Few Conversations

Well, first, put down the goddamn phone and stop doom-scrolling. Becky, with the good hair, and Travis, with the ten-pack, cannot fully encompass what goes into their life when posting on an app. Some things are not shared, either by choice or by accident, and the withholding is what causes your negative thoughts to brew. We all know social media is designed to be addictive and get you to interact, so when you’re hate-engaging with someone and creeping on their photos, you’re just going to be fed more of their content.

When you look at yourself through the reflection of others, you miss the granularity of what makes you special and start to doubt yourself. 

Excuses Are Like…

Everyone has something that takes them out of things. There is an internal dialogue that, whether they know it or not, is set up to make them fail. 

I’ve heard it all: I can’t do it because… 

I have a different background. No one will respect me. I don’t look like them. There are too many obstacles in my way; others have none. That’s not for people my age. I’m too young.

Instead of focusing on the hard work that got me into the same spaces as others, I’ve told myself I’m a fraud and spiraled into those same negative thought patterns, taking myself out before things can even begin. It happened when I first started teaching virtually during the pandemic. Was I meant to be there?

The NYC Marathon reminds me of how much people overcome to complete the race or even get to the starting line. How many people have told themselves they’d never be able to run a marathon? Or when they’re in the throws of it, that they wouldn’t be able to finish. That for X reason, a marathon isn’t meant for them?

Don’t Take Yourself Out (unless it’s on a date)

Self-induced exclusion can come when you remove yourself from meaningful relationships and interactions. I’m not talking about a well-timed Bitmoji on someone’s story. I’m talking about a conversation, planned or accidental, where you dive into more about what makes us human and learn that everyone is fighting an internal battle; it is not just you. When you have a messy, unpredictable, unfiltered, and HUMAN conversation, you discover things about others that remind you that no one is perfect.

Being human is a beautiful and messy thing. Something we’ve started to get away from. Situations are carefully curated, and whoever yells the loudest about their problems and achievements is the one who gets the attention.

How many times have you held yourself back from something or stopped yourself from getting to know someone else because of a preconceived notion? Quit telling yourself that you’re not good enough, that they won’t understand you, that you’re a fraud, that you can’t do something.

The more you start to open yourself up to the world around you, the more compassion you’ll find for others and in turn, yourself. You’ll learn that not everyone has it figured out.

But it starts in person. 

What would your life look like if you spent more time in meaningful conversation with someone else than a one-sided interaction where you are seeing what someone wants you to see?

What would you learn about others? What would you learn about your potential and your belonging? 

Sometimes, we just need a reminder that we fit into the world. 

Go be messy. Go be human. It may take time to shed the self-doubt, but it will be well worth it in the end, Great Things always are.

I’d love to know: What is a story you tell about yourself or others that feels good to tell, but you know does not have any truth to it?

Moments with Maurice

Each week, my Wednesday content will leave you with a reflection and prompt to share your reactions and thoughts, and the following Monday I’ll highlight some of the responses. Taking things inward is powerful, but sharing them reminds us we aren’t alone in our thinking and that we aren’t all that much different.

Today, I don’t want to share what others have said. I want you to focus on yourself (even if this is the only time you do this today). Take time to write down your answers to the below or sit with your thoughts. Celebrate yourself. Your wins don’t mean anything until you can stop comparing yourself and give yourself some credit.

From a young age I was shown love and acceptance, and told by Nana that if I wasn’t included, it wasn’t a reflection of me not belonging.

Because no matter what, there is always something to smile about.

lululemon x Fanatics

What do you mean this stick isn’t made with chocolate? Coming soon to an NHL arena near you! How many penalties do you think I’ll get?

"Did you get botox?” Lots of funny questions coming at me at the lululemon x Fanatics event after I shaved my face. Made me laugh real hard.
Pictured here (but not the ones asking if I had botox) are Athlete & ambassador Kayla Jeter & Celeste Burgoyne (President, Americans & Global Guest innovation @ lululemon).

The People Helping Me Grow and Strengthen.

Robbie, my PT who helps keep me strong. Working with kind and knowledgeable people always puts a smile on my face.

Smiling after being in the uncomfortable place of being a beginner and learning something new. This time, it was Animal Flow led by Kathy Donatto. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to experience something new like this.

Nothing Makes Me Happier Than A Purring Engine

Some of the participants in 46M, a E46 M3 car show. To translate, E46 M3 refers to the model, make and year. So cars from 2001-2006. My goal is to make you find cars just a little bit more fun, I’m not calling you about your car’s extended warranty!

Self-explanatory, stick shifts have more fun. Or is this telling me to never throw out another product manual again….?

Daily Joy

My nephew has grown into such a vibrant kid! Having him in my family puts perspective on a lot of things.

My goal right now is to grow in every way, including in the gym. You’re going to see me starting to add some extra weight now, an exciting prospect to see how far I can progress. Only thing that makes some early morning gym sessions easier: knowing a NOLA cold brew is on the other side

Thanks for being with me on this journey. Over the last few months I’ve shared a lot of my life, and in turn learned so much about you all. It’s an honor to start your week and inspires me every day to hear about your wins. I know Great Things Take Time is far from perfect, but together I hope we can grow it into exactly what it’s meant to be.

Remember:

-Adrian