The ability to step back and detach is a superpower

The ability to step back and detach from the seemingly overwhelming reality of daily existence can be a true superpower. It is a concept rooted in Eastern philosophy and the sense of self. Retired Navy Seal officer Jocko Willing explains it very clearly in this recent conversation with dr. Andrew Huberman.

At times, you may get stuck in the seemingly vast and overwhelming ecosystem in your daily life. When you look more closely, you may find out that you are part of a very small ecosystem few people actually care about. That ecosystem can feel like your entire life and self-worth. Yet, if you ask someone outside of it, they may not even be aware of the existence of your ecosystem.

Say, for example, you are a freelance developer/consultant in the no-code/low-code tech ecosystem (someone familiar eh eh). That ecosystem can become your whole world and sense of self. You may get stuck in the daily operationality of client work and wrap your entire reputation around your performance within that ecosystem. When you step back and glimpse at the world from above as if traveling in space and having access to a small window, you may get a different peek of reality as is: your ecosystem is very small, and only very few people care about it. Tell your non-techy acquaintances about it, and they may not even know the existence of the no-code/low-code ecosystem.

The ability to step back and detach from the sense of rush in momentary existence is also linked to identity. When you attach your entire identity and sense of self to one ecosystem, you risk getting lost in it. In fact, there are many more ecosystems to explore out there. And your ecosystem is likely unimportant in the big picture. Internalizing this concept can be liberating, on the one hand, because you can relax, right now. It can also be disturbing, on the other, because it can expose the vulnerability of your identity and put your insignificance into perspective.

One thing is inevitable: stepping back and detaching enables you to see what many others can’t see. And that’s how one leads effectively, not only others but also oneself.

I, a universe of atoms, an atom in the universe

— Richard P. Feynman