Hi ,
Six months ago, I started an experiment called my “2×20″ (pronounced “two by twenty”).
I basically asked myself: “What if I spent two years figuring out how to make the next twenty years of my life truly awesome?” With a focus, though not exclusively, on work.
It’s about taking a proactive approach to life, rather than simply reacting to whatever comes our way.
It’s about asking the big questions – the ones that often keep us up at night – and having the courage to explore the answers, even when they’re uncomfortable, even when they challenge our assumptions, and even when they force us to confront our deepest fears.
Seventeen months in, it’s been a wild ride of revelations, experiments, and a lot of learning. And, I’m starting to shift more into building mode now.
I first “went public” with the whole 2×20 concept about 6 months ago, with a ton more detail, process and structure, on my podcasts and Substack. The response melted my brain.
It’s the single most popular thing I’ve shared in years.
So, I decided to share a 6-month update because so many of you have asked how it’s been going, what I’ve learned, and where it’s leading me.
I’ve learned that this process isn’t always pretty or straightforward; it’s a winding road with unexpected detours, occasional roadblocks, and moments of sheer frustration. But it’s also stunningly powerful.
So many giant insights have dropped, from running the right experiments, and being truly thoughtful about how they went, and what I learned.
You can learn tons more on this Good Life Project Podcast Episode: the experiments, in vitality, connection, and contribution, the stumbles, hidden fears, and fumbles, the big a-has and insights, and where it’s taking me as I begin moving more into “build mode.”
I’ll share one big awakening, out of many…
When you hide your essence, you suffer, and so does everything you want to make happen.
This is, at once, incredibly intuitive, but also not. We know, deep down, the freakiest parts of ourselves, our quirks, interests, weirdness, lens on the world, fascinations, talents, sense of taste and creativity are what make us feel most alive. And, what differentiate us, and, oftentimes, become our greatest advantage in work and life.
But, we’re so terrified of being judged for these parts of ourselves, or risking a sense of belonging or security, we keep them hidden. And, we suffer. In ways we cannot begin to imagine, until we examine what’s truly happening. And, our work, careers, business ventures, and bodies-of-work suffer, too. They never quite become what they could, because we never let ourselves become who we yearn to be.
That sense of stifled potential so many of us carry around, even if we’re outwardly successful, it’s often about being afraid to let the truest parts of ourselves take the lead. But, once we start to run those small experiments that let it out, it’s amazing what begins to happen. Not only do you feel a thousand times more you, it’s like all that potential finally gets to meet the world. And, the world, much to our surprise, has been waiting, saying, “what took you so long?”
So, I’ve been starting to lead with more of that in my own 2×20, and it’s about to take a much bigger role in my work and life moving forward.
Tons more insights in this week’s deep-dive podcast. Listen here now
And, if you’d rather read a more digested version, feel free to dive into this post on my Awake at the Wheel Substack
And here’s something personal and exciting:
So many of you have asked how to create your own 2×20, I’ve decided to open a handful of spots for 2×20 coaching (one-on-one or intimate group). And, if there’s enough interest, we’re looking at putting together a beautiful, immersive 3-day 2×20 mountain retreat this fall.
Curious or inspired? Click the button below.
The journey continues (and gets weirder!). Thanks for being part of it. Let’s create lives that set our souls on fire.
With Gratitude,
Jonathan
The 2×20 Experiment: My Journey to Simplicity and Joy
What if you gave yourself two years to design the next twenty with intention? In this raw and revealing follow-up, I share the latest from my personal 2×20 Project™—the bold experiments, unexpected breakthroughs, and humbling failures. From vitality to creativity to connection, this is a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to realign your life with what matters most. It might just spark your own next big chapter.
Is there something on your mind you’d like us to explore? Hit reply and let us know.
This email may contain an affiliate link, we earn a small commission from purchases made through the link at no additional cost to you.
·
