Hi. Yann here. How is your week?
Year-end is coming. Same story every time: on LinkedIn, Instagram, everywhere — founders post their reviews. Those who made it and those who have not. And you wonder: “Should I do the same?”
You scroll, compare, mentally note every 2025 strategy. You want to borrow inspiration — as you did this year.
I will be direct: that will not work.
Why? Because you are letting yourself be influenced.
When you do, you make choices that are not yours. Other people’s expectations, wins, and ideas steer your decisions. You say yes to what does not fit. You choose from fear of missing out. You spend more time following others than connecting to your own vision.
I am not judging. I lived it. In 2021 I did the same — days watching the “big players,” their projects, collaborations, results. In my head: “They must know something I do not.”
So I tried everything: their methods; yes to projects “just to see”; strategy changes whenever I feared missing an opportunity.
I was exhausted. More frustrated than ever. Worst of all — I no longer recognized myself in what I was doing.
Until the day I stopped and asked one question: “Why do I not trust myself?”
Why you let yourself be influenced
It is not a lack of ideas or skill. You do not allow yourself.
You do not allow yourself to be yourself — you assume what works for them is better than what you want.
You do not allow yourself to say no — so you say yes to everything and scatter.
You do not allow yourself to trust your own decisions — every outside critique or tip makes you doubt.
The problem is not what you do. It is why you do it.
That is human — and fear-shaped: fear of missing something, of the wrong choice, of not being enough. The price is time, energy, and sometimes motivation. The way out is always the same: take back control of yourself.
Already on the list? Reply in Chat with one line on what landed from this essay — I answer early replies in the first hour.
Self-Mastery: the key out of other people’s influence
When you are influenced, you lose power, balance, and fidelity to your vision. Digital life shows only the fun half of other people’s stories. Keep going that way and you will not get out. It is time to reclaim control.
Self-Mastery is the capacity to discipline yourself — to master thoughts and actions so you stay aligned with your objectives. Coherence and consistency follow.
Practically:
Clarify your non-negotiables. What will you not trade for approval or FOMO?
Filter every “inspiration.” Ask: Does this serve my vision — or someone else’s highlight reel?
Practice one deliberate no each week. Protect attention for what is yours.
You do not need more strategies from the feed. You need fidelity to your own compass.
See you next week.
PS: The quality of your business decisions will never exceed the quality of your nervous system. We build recovery as competence — not as collapse after the sprint.