Colin Kaepernick on writing down goals and manifestation

I was listening to the latest Rich Roll podcast with Colin Kaepernick when this part of the conversation made me think about all of you at the Mindful Monday talks and those who watched/listened to the replays.

I’ve queued the video to start where Rich asks Colin about the goals he wrote down in fourth grade, and I’d like you to watch until the 1:06:40 mark. Pay attention to Colin’s experience with writing down, believing, and doing the work, and see how close to the goal he wrote down he got.

We haven’t talked much about manifestation, but we will as the MNDFL (the new name for Mindful Mondays) talks return. A short intro to manifestation is that we have the ability to create the future we want for our Selves, or at least take us in the direction we are supposed to go. A lot of people talk about manifestation as if it is just wishing for something to happen—they have it wrong.

What I want you to know for this episode is that manifestation is the process of identifying a goal that you truly want—one you feel called to, believing that it is possible, visualizing and feeling what it will be like to achieve it, and finally, and possibly most importantly, putting in the work to get there.

Magic happens when you combine those things.

Don’t believe me, though—listen to Colin Kaepernick.

I also want to encourage you to listen to the entire episode, and maybe even purchase his book—mine is on the way to my house today. Many of you might not be old enough to remember Colin’s NFL career and how his protesting led to the end of his career. I really want to encourage you to read the book without judgment, without getting defensive if there is something you don’t necessarily agree with, and with empathy for the life experience Colin shares and many others describe as well. Many people will want to make this book political, and while there are certainly politics attached to this, the purpose of YOU reading it is not politics but to understand the path others have had to walk—to become a more empathetic person.

I’d also encourage you to pay attention to the calling Colin had around the issues he spoke up against and how he made some very tough decisions to stay aligned with his values—I’m not saying his values need to be yours, but that as you get older, knowing what values are most important to you and trying to avoid compromising them at all costs.

It’s important in life to understand where people come from, see what life might be like from their perspective, and find common ground to have respectful and productive conversations—this is something that the older generations are failing to show you.

Getting back to the video—we still have to talk about visualization, but this conversation will give you a little insight into how it will help with your mindset and mindfulness practices.

Keep pursuing,

JC