On May 13th, the world lost a rare kind of leader. José Alberto 'Pepe' Mujica—revolutionary, farmer, philosopher, and former president of Uruguay—passed away. I first discovered him about ten years ago during his presidency, but quickly learned he was so much more than his political title. If you have time today, watch some of his speeches or interviews; it's absolutely worth it.
While reading about his life recently, I was particularly moved by an interview segment that perfectly captures his essence. Looking at the footage, you'd never guess you were watching a country's president. In it, he explains why he chose to remain in his modest farmhouse even when entitled to a presidential palace. The heart of his philosophy comes through in these powerful words: "Es bueno vivir como se piensa... De lo contrario, pensarás como vives."
It is good to live as you think... Otherwise, you will think as you live.
In the short term, our beliefs shape our behaviors. But in the long term, our behaviors shape our beliefs, creating a profound cycle between thinking and action. Simply put, we become what we do every day.
So, allow me to ask you: Are your daily behaviors truly a reflection of who you want to be?