In JRE Podcast #28, there’s a part where Joe interviews George St-Pierre, and George shares what he always does before a fight: he drives his car around and observes ordinary people going about their lives—an old lady with her groceries, some guys arguing about something, and other ordinary things. These moments help him realize that his “important” fight isn’t so significant in the grand scheme of things. Most people don’t even know or care that he’s having the biggest fight of his life or who he is even, or that he once got knocked out, with the footage playing over and over again on sports channels. He shared on the podcast that he felt deeply ashamed and humiliated when he got knocked out in front of millions of people, but he eventually realized it’s just part of the game and the sport he participates in.

Nobody really cares about you and what you’re trying to do more than yourself. No one is going to fault or shame you for trying to be a better version of yourself or for putting yourself out there to achieve your dreams. What matters is what you think of yourself. Be easier on yourself from time to time—notice the ordinary things around you, look around, and realize there are countless other things happening. Most people (if not all, like you) are too caught up in their own heads, caring too much and thinking about what’s going on in their lives to even notice what others are doing.

Be you, do you, take a breath, and keep going. Let go of the repeating thoughts and worries in your own head.

You can check the podcast on YouTube here and the part where George talked about him thinking too much before the fight is around the 46-minute mark: