What if the decisions you're making… aren't actually yours?

In this episode, we unpack a question that exposes the hidden forces shaping your life:

👉 "If you failed… what's the one phone call you wouldn't want to make?"

Because behind your ambition, hesitation, and even your success…there may be a voice you've never confronted.

We explore:

• Why most people are driven by voices they don't even recognize
• How fear disguises itself as ambition, caution, or even humility
• The story of a CEO whose decisions were being shaped by something deeper
• Why high performers still feel stuck or paralyzed under pressure
• How past experiences quietly control present decisions

This is a deep dive into:

• Identity vs. conditioning
• Awareness vs. autopilot
• Truth vs. internal narratives

We also unpack:

• The "echo" inside your mind and how it forms
• Why self-awareness is the foundation of leadership
• How to separate your voice from fear, trauma, and expectation
• The cost of not doing internal work
• And why clarity starts with asking better questions

🧠 The Exercise

Take 10–15 minutes. No distractions.

Ask yourself:

👉 "If I failed… who is the one person I wouldn't want to call?"

Then go deeper:

• Why them?
• What would they think?
• When did that fear start?
• How has it shaped my decisions?

This is where the work begins.

Pre-Order the Book

This episode continues our journey through Magnum Opus: The Art of Becoming One of One.

Pre-order the book here:

http://magnumopusproject.co

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs it.

And in the meantime — keep writing new rules.

More of a visual person?

You can WATCH today's episode on our Youtube Channel:

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@WriteNewRules

To stay connected, visit us at the following places to help as a guide for you on your journey to becoming an authentic leader!

LinkedIn: / adriancrawford-nrc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writenewrules/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writenewrules

00:00 – The question that exposes everything 00:20 – Intro + Oscars conversation 02:30 – Ambition vs ego 05:30 – Authenticity vs image 08:00 – Discipline behind greatness 11:00 – Enter "The Chisel" 12:00 – The one phone call question 13:30 – The CEO story (breakdown moment) 16:00 – Pressure, identity, and leadership 18:00 – Perfection vs uncertainty 20:00 – The hidden voice behind decisions 22:30 – Most people aren't aware of it 24:00 – Becoming self-aware 26:00 – Fear, shame, and past experiences 27:30 – What's actually shaping you 30:00 – Personal example (father + identity) 31:30 – The "echo" in your mind 33:00 – Why success requires emptying yourself 36:00 – The truth about sacrifice 38:00 – How to separate your voice 40:00 – The exercise explained 43:00 – This isn't about blame 45:00 – Clarity and alignment 47:30 – Final challenge