Your Thursday Three Things for Thursday, January 9th, 2025
Embracing the Misogi!
Hey everyone,
Jon Macaskill here, back with your weekly dose of wellness and leadership tips. (Ok, maybe not weekly as I took the last two weeks off for Christmas and New Years - we all need time off!)
This week, I wanna get into something big—literally. I want to talk about the concept of the misogi. The word misogi originates from Japanese culture and Shinto spirituality.
In its traditional sense, misogi (禊) refers to a purification ritual meant to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit. It typically involves practices like standing under a waterfall, submerging in cold water, or engaging in other physically demanding acts in nature, all with the goal of achieving spiritual renewal and clarity.
In modern context however, it means a big, challenging experience designed to push you far outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s running an ultra-marathon, writing a book, or tackling a massive project at work, a misogi is all about discovering what you’re truly capable of.
What makes a misogi different from a typical challenge is that it’s not just physical or mental—it’s transformative. It’s meant to change how you see yourself and your limits. And here’s the kicker: the benefits go far beyond personal growth. Tackling a misogi can also make you a stronger, more resilient leader.
What Misogi Teaches Us About Leadership
It Builds Resilience Taking on a challenge so big it feels almost impossible forces you to confront fear and uncertainty head-on. As a leader, this resilience becomes your superpower. You learn to stay calm and focused under pressure, which sets an example for your team when things get tough.
It Inspires Others When your team sees you stepping up to a massive challenge,
it’s contagious. Misogis show that growth comes from discomfort and that it’s okay to aim higher than what feels “safe.” This inspires others to step out of their own comfort zones and take risks.
It Redefines Your Limits After completing a misogi, you see the world—and your potential—differently. What once seemed daunting now feels achievable. This mindset shift trickles down to your leadership, making you more confident and open to new opportunities.
Three Things to Help You Embrace Your Misogi
Book Highlight: "Living with a SEAL" by Jesse Itzler Jesse Itzler’s Living with a SEAL is a hilarious yet powerful story about his time training with a Navy SEAL. Itzler embraces a “misogi” of sorts by committing to intense physical and mental challenges, learning what he’s truly capable of. The book is a reminder that discomfort is where the magic happens.
Tool Highlight: Big A## Calendar (also from Jess Itzler - no, I’m not affiliated with him whatsoever!) Planning your misogi takes intention, and Itzler’s Big A## Calendar is the perfect tool to help you do it. It’s a giant calendar designed to make you think big—literally and figuratively. Use it to plan your misogi for the year and schedule the steps leading up to it. Whether it’s a massive professional goal or a personal challenge, putting it on the calendar makes it real (especially if you can see the WHOLE calendar at once!).
Favorite Practice: Quarterly Reflection and Goal Setting You don’t need to take on a misogi every day (please don’t!), but reflecting quarterly on what big challenge you want to tackle can keep you growing. Set aside time to review your progress and ask: “What’s one thing I can do this quarter that feels impossible—but isn’t?” This practice keeps you aligned with your goals while also encouraging bold moves.
Final Thought: Leadership and the Misogi Mindset
The misogi isn’t about winning or achieving perfection—it’s about showing up, giving your best, and coming out the other side transformed. As leaders, we owe it to ourselves and our teams to embrace discomfort, take risks, and grow. Whether it’s a personal challenge or a professional goal, tackling something big this year might just change how you lead—and how you live.
Catch you next Thursday with more tips and insights. Until then, keep leading with heart and living with purpose.
Cheers, Jon
P.S. If you’ve been enjoying these newsletters, make sure to subscribe! Your support helps me keep bringing you the good stuff every week. And don’t forget to check out our podcast Men Talking Mindfulness—where we talk about leadership, wellness, and all the in-between moments. You can find it wherever you get your podcasts! And check out our meditation course here!