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What if success isn't about doing more, but about becoming more present?

In this episode, Matej continues his conversation with coach and yoga teacher Marta Jalkiewicz, picking up exactly where they left off in the previous episode: Are we becoming human doings instead of human beings?

Together they explore why so many of us feel trapped in constant productivity, achievement and self-improvement and why slowing down can feel surprisingly uncomfortable. Drawing from personal experience, coaching practice and honest reflection, they unpack the beliefs that keep us busy, the courage it takes to surrender, and what it really means to live a life that feels aligned rather than merely successful.

This isn't a conversation about giving up ambition. It's about discovering a different relationship with ambition. One rooted in presence, authenticity and inner trust.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why "doing" often becomes our survival strategy.
• How childhood conditioning shapes our relationship with achievement and self-worth.
• Why being still can feel more uncomfortable than staying busy.
• The hidden addiction to productivity, dopamine and constant stimulation.
• The difference between surrender and giving up.
• Why younger generations may have a healthier relationship with work and life.
• The courage required to leave the "highway" and create your own path.
• How success evolves after 40—and why meaning begins to matter more than achievement.
• Practical ways to cultivate more "being" without abandoning your goals.
• Why learning and personal development can sometimes become another distraction.
• How slowing down allows us to experience life more deeply.
• The importance of listening to the quiet voice within.

Memorable ideas from the conversation

"Having a North Star doesn't mean your path has to be a straight line."

"Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is surrender."

"Schedule "being" the same way you schedule your meetings."

"Listen to the quiet."

Reflection questions

• Who am I when I'm not achieving, producing or learning?
• Am I chasing goals that truly belong to me or following someone else's definition of success?
• What quiet voice inside me have I been ignoring?
• Where in my life am I staying on the highway because it feels safe?
• What would one small step into the jungle look like?

If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who might need permission to slow down and remember:

Life isn't asking us to do more. Sometimes it's inviting us to be more.

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Connect with Marta:

• Website: www.martajalkiewicz.com
• Instagram: @martajalkiewicz
• LinkedIn: Marta Jalkiewicz

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Connect with Matej:

• matejvozel.com
• Instagram - Matej
• Substack - Beneath The Noise
• Instagram - Teorija Uspeha
• LinkedIn