Breakthrough Isn't A Lightning Strike

I had dinner with a leadership team the night before speaking to their organization. I love moments like these because it allows me to develop better connection and get a feel for who they are. In a side conversation before leaving their CFO mentioned that he felt stuck. “I feel like I’ve been on a hamster wheel for weeks. This issue has been consuming me but I feel like I’m making zero progress.” As we talked, it was clear that he didn’t more information or ability. He was a brilliant, capable guy. What he needed was a way to breakthrough. And he was waiting for that lightning bolt, “Aha!” moment to strike. Which means he was going to be waiting for a long time.

It’s interesting how many men I talk to who seem to be in similar situations - and of course we all experience it at some point. They've got the knowledge. They've got the desire. But they don't have the breakthrough that actually changes things. The result is frustration, burnout and bitterness. The Drift loves overthinking and inaction.

I’ve been fortunate to both coach and be around hundreds of high-performance. What I’ve learned is breakthroughs don't just happen. They are not a single moment of clarity. I know we know that, but when we’re stuck we think that’s how it works. The truth is they require three specific things:

Let’s break it down so you can get moving. I’m actually going to teach it to you like I teach it to leaders and teams. And that is, in reverse. (cue Missy Elliott).

Plan to execute: I start here because most people actually have a plan, they just don’t realize they do. In fact, 68% of the men I surveyed said they want to get better but they don’t have a plan. As I talk to men, most of them know what they need to do. They know what it takes to get healthy, to get out of debt, to restore a relationship. The problem isn’t the plan. It is perfectionism powered by fear. There is no perfect plan. There is the plan you can execute today.

Perspective: Your plan might be fine. Your view of it isn’t. “I’ve already tried it.” “It’s not good enough.” “It’ll take too long.” “I’m not good enough.” How you see the plan, the problem, and yourself determines how you show up. When you change the story, you change your actions.

Powerful mindset: This is the key to all of it. When you live from a powerless mindset, you can never change your perspective. Which means you can never execute the plan in front of you. But when you work to change your mindset, you then change your perspective. And with a better mindset and perspective, you can create the change you need. This is why daily “I am” statements are so critical. Cheesy? Sure, but they also work.

Most men want a plan. Yet true breakthrough starts in our mind.

📌 QUOTE OF THE WEEK "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." - Albert Einstein

🧠 INSIGHT: Thoughts produce actions. Actions produce outcomes. Breakthrough happens when what you think, how you see, and what you do finally align.

🎯 NO DRIFT CHALLENGE

This week, pick an area of life where you feel stuck.

Ask yourself three questions:

You don’t need a big plan. You need a powerful mind, a clear view, and small consistent action.

I’d love to hear how you are fighting The Drift this week. Reply to this email to let me know. Even better, post it on Instagram and tag @no.drift. Let’s build a community of encouragement there.

CLOSING THOUGHT

Drift is default. Breakthrough is built.
Build it by aligning mindset → perspective → moves, one rep at a time. Start today.

For you,
Kevin

Thanks for reading this. Share it with anybody you think would find it useful. And as a reminder, NO DRIFT is not mine it is ours. I want to know what you think, what you want to hear about, what you are learning. All feedback is welcomed.