Zengarry Zen Ross

Anyone who's seen the legendary film Glengarry Glen Ross recognizes it instantly as a symbol for the most hardcore of Type A, results-based boiler rooms.

To the point of making Whiplash look like Karate Kid.

In conversation with my good friend Rose recently, we coined a new phrase together. I talked about how I grew up in a Type A household, how we were brought up to earn A's in school. To overachieve. To get results, no matter what.

This was great in elementary school. But we talked about how as an adult professional, this mindset has led to burnout, to debilitating migraines, and to physical injuries all over the body.

Then we talked about how, as a result, I've been on a years-long mission to ease back toward center. Or to find center in the first place. By "center," I mean a space where I can calmly do my best, without feeling immense guilt that I'm underachieving or "not doing enough."

Thus, "Zengarry Zen Ross" was born.

Zengarry Zen Ross is the ideal endpoint for us recovering Type A-ers to strive for. The perfect balance point between Type A results on the one hand, and calm, centered effort on the other.

I probably won't ever get there. But for me, and for the many others like me, I hope it can serve as a useful north star.

If you've burned yourself down to the root time and again, there's a place you can go.

Zengarry Zen Ross.

You won't get there tomorrow, but if you follow the path of daily practice, you can get closer and closer. And it will guide you in the right direction.

Zengarry Zen Ross.

And for you other recovering Type A-ers out there, take solace: you are in a great place. I'm biased of course, but in my opinion it's better to start from Type A, and then moderate your efforts to become healthier in your work. Rather than the converse: starting from a place of apathy or indolence and trying to develop the work ethic required to do great work.

Of course, none of it matters if you work yourself into a cardiac attack before you change your approach. My unsolicited advice? Start now. Starting moving toward your own --

Zengarry Zen Ross.